(for the girls) abnormal smear test

across

good luck wanty i'm sure it will be fine dont worry about it cos whatever has to be done will be done and then you can forget about it, take care and speak to you soon!;)

the_geary

Hi
These links may be of some help or give useful information:
NHS cervical screening programme official website

Brief overview of what colposcopy is

The website of the doctors who provide the treatment at the colposcopy unit and some information for patients about the procedure.

I'm a healthcare professional involved in the cervical screening programme but I have also been a patient as part of it and would like to help people understand more about it.

There are a few different reasons why women are referred to colpscopy:
1. a high-grade dyskaryosis (this is the term used to describe the abnormal changes seen in the cervical cells)
2. when you've had 2 or 3 smears with low-grade dyskaryosis. This will often go away on it's own (hence the wait-and-see policy) but are referred at this point to get a check-up.
3. if you have 3 smears reported as unreadable (inadequate) again, this is a check-up to make sure you're ok.

Having been for colposcopy myself, it doesn't take too long, it may hurt a little, it is a bit crampy afterwards.
The staff are usually really nice and helpful, they are quite happy to explain what happens and why.

HTH



*Please note - this is NOT medical advice - please see your Doctor or Clinician for advice*

MortgageMamma

I had an abnormal smear after the birth of my son, it was discovered in April 2003, It was something called CIN3 which is pre cancerous which sounds similar to what you have. It was my own fault, as I had not had a smear since 1994, (9 years) and had three kids in that time. I was treated with a coagulator immediately which was the msot painful thing i'd ever experienced as doctor said anesthetic does not help and didnt give me any. (when a year later I transferred to another NHS trust and I refused to stay awake during treatment I found out I was entitled to the anaesthetic and the new consultant was in utter disbelief) I also had a cone biospy. I was in bed for three days but I think it was more psychological than anything. I was convinced I was going to get cervical cancer and die, and thanked god I was well insured for my families sake.

3 years on and a bit of treatment later I am perfectly OK< although I do still have 6 monthly smear tests. I got my first completely normal smear in July this year and cried with relief. NObody but one particular male friend knew how much it meant to me.

So, the moral of my tale is, if your not cancerous you are treatable and believe me nothing will get past those docs if they think you have a chance of cancer. Keep your chin up, you will be OK, and think about taking some critical illness insurance if you don't already have it.

shelly

MortgageMamma wrote:

So, the moral of my tale is, if your not cancerous you are treatable and believe me nothing will get past those docs if they think you have a chance of cancer.

These days when a woman is diagnosed with cervical cancer it is usually very treatable, as I am living proof. I was diagnosed with cervical cancer on 25th May this year following abnormal cells being found whilst having a D&C for an incomplete miscarriage. I was advised that there was a relatively new type of surgery I could have to see if the cancer was confined to my cervix called a Trachelectomy which is removal of just over two thirds of the cervix. If it had spread further than my cervix and gone into the womb I would have had to have had a full hysterectomy. I wouldn't know this until after my surgery. I had the Trachelectomy on 4th July and the results came back that the cancer had been confined to my cervix so no hysterectomy needed. :j It seems that the miscarriage was a blessing in disguise (as much as it breaks my heart to think of it like that) as my cancer was a very agressive type. If the pregnancy had gone full term it would have been too late to save me.
I am only 30 and would love for hubby and I to have kids soon but at least I'm alive......thats what matters most.

divadee

I had one in march of this year and like you was crapping it!!!

Honestly nothing to worry about, the LLETZ procedure that i had to remove the dodgy cells was done at the same time and that was uncomfortable.

The colposcopy is just the same as a smear just with a microscope!!!! Everything does look massive done there though!!!!!! I had had a trim before hand to tidy it all up and the stubble looked awful!!!


After the LLETZ i had bleeding for approx 3-5 days (pads used for this) and then a watery discharge (panty liners used for this) and could not have any relations with mr divadee or use tampons for 6 weeks :eek: I just took my pill straight through so i didnt have a period the hospital said this is fine!!!

The local injection was the worst bit and they gave me energy sweets as it makes your heart race like a panic attack (but only mild). They only give you that is you are going to be treated same day.

If you dont need or dont want treatment same day they will make you another appointment. I personally wanted a same day to get it all over and done with.

The evening I was a little sore like bad cramp pains but that only lasted 24 hours and then I was right as rain!!

The colposcopy is nothing to be worried about honestly!!!

jazzyjustlaw

MortgageMamma wrote:

I had an abnormal smear after the birth of my son, it was discovered in April 2003, It was something called CIN3 which is pre cancerous which sounds similar to what you have. It was my own fault, as I had not had a smear since 1994, (9 years) and had three kids in that time. I was treated with a coagulator immediately which was the msot painful thing i'd ever experienced as doctor said anesthetic does not help and didnt give me any. (when a year later I transferred to another NHS trust and I refused to stay awake during treatment I found out I was entitled to the anaesthetic and the new consultant was in utter disbelief) I also had a cone biospy. I was in bed for three days but I think it was more psychological than anything. I was convinced I was going to get cervical cancer and die, and thanked god I was well insured for my families sake.

3 years on and a bit of treatment later I am perfectly OK< although I do still have 6 monthly smear tests. I got my first completely normal smear in July this year and cried with relief. NObody but one particular male friend knew how much it meant to me.

So, the moral of my tale is, if your not cancerous you are treatable and believe me nothing will get past those docs if they think you have a chance of cancer. Keep your chin up, you will be OK, and think about taking some critical illness insurance if you don't already have it.

I had CIN 3 and that was within three years of my last smear (that was my severe cells I was referring to in last post). So dont think it was your own fault for not going for 9 years!

divadee

jazzyjustlaw wrote:

I had CIN 3 and that was within three years of my last smear (that was my severe cells I was referring to in last post). So dont think it was your own fault for not going for 9 years!

i agree i had a smear test 17 months before my last one (i should of gone back at 12 months!!) and it was CIN3!!!

so it can happen in such a short space of time!! What worried me is what if i had been having 3-5 yearly checks!!! It could of been to late for me by then.

Please everyone get your smear tests done as soon as they are due!!!

shelly

divadee wrote:

i agree i had a smear test 17 months before my last one (i should of gone back at 12 months!!) and it was CIN3!!!

so it can happen in such a short space of time!! What worried me is what if i had been having 3-5 yearly checks!!! It could of been to late for me by then.

Please everyone get your smear tests done as soon as they are due!!!

Agree with that, I was surprised how fast cancer can develop. I had my first miscarriage in Aug 2004 and the cancer wasn't detected then. Then when I had the second miscarriage in March this year it was detected at the D&C. So in less than 2 years not only had I developed cancer but it was too severe to be treated any other way than surgery, chemo or radio therapy. I opted for surgery to preserve my fertility.

neasden

This has been very interesting to read. I am 29 and have had 4 smears, 3 have come back as inconclusive and I am awaiting results on the 4th test.

My husband and I want to start a family. when I told the nurse that I have failed all my previous tests she never mentioned colposcopy or dyskaryosis to me, but was told that I would require further smears at 6 month intervals.

After reading this thread I feel a little more informed and we will start trying for a family regardless of my test results

shelly

neasden wrote:

This has been very interesting to read. I am 29 and have had 4 smears, 3 have come back as inconclusive and I am awaiting results on the 4th test.

My husband and I want to start a family. when I told the nurse that I have failed all my previous tests she never mentioned colposcopy or dyskaryosis to me, but was told that I would require further smears at 6 month intervals.

After reading this thread I feel a little more informed and we will start trying for a family regardless of my test results

I wish you all the best in trying for a family but you must consider if (god forbid) your results don't come back good and you need treatment, none of it can be carried out whilst pregnant. If you need treatment you would have to carry on the pregnancy and risk your life or terminate to have treatment. I was told as soon as my abnormal cells were found to stop trying. We weren't trying as it was too soon after the miscarriage, but we were told to not try until I had been sorted.



I'd ask your GP what his/her thoughts on it are.