smear results :(

fannyanna

Borderline is basically a slight abnormality. Most of the time our bodies can correct this by itself and as such further testing/treatment is not required.

To be honest I would have imagined that they'd do a follow up in 6 months to see how things are going so I think you did the right thing to call and query this.

Be assured though that you would have been referred for colposcopy and treatment if it was anything to worry about.

kymrob

still no call from doc or nurse! will wait to c if they call in the morn!

sock-knitter

i've had abnormal smears in the past, and been put on yearly check ups. last time was told to come back in three months, just had reminder letter thru post

j.e.j.

To be honest (and I know this might be a bit controversial) I think a lot of the time these smear tests cause more worry and anxiety than they solve. As other posters have alluded to, it's a bit of a sensitive or taboo subject and so doesn't really get spoken about openly, and the woman is unfortunately often left uninformed and beside herself with worry.

OP you can have a smear and HPV test done privately if you want to. This will give you more info than the smear on its own. I think Harley Street do them. Or if you're happy discussing this with your nhs GP or nurse maybe have a chat with them.

ktb

j.e.j I couldn't agree with you more - I was diagnosed with abnormal cells in 2002 at the age of 22 and was given no information whatsoever! I was just booked straight in for colposcopy & LLETZ treatment and told that would sort it. Low and behold my next annual smear showed abnormal cells and I ended up in a horrible monitoring cycle, culminating in another LLETZ a couple of years ago, which I desperately didn't want due to potential future issues carrying a baby.

I was never given any explanation from Doctors about what caused it so I did loads of research myself on HPV and learned about the links with your immune system, which changed the way I live my life. I started with this book... it's american but gives you the basics... http://www.amazon.co.uk/What-Doctor-About-Abnormal-Smears/dp/0446677876/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1319054989&sr=8-2

Personally though I don't think HPV testing is worthwhile.... if you have abnormal cell change the high likelihood is that you have HPV and knowing that 100% doesn't change anything as it is incurable and also if you get an abnormal result you should be having regular follow up smears anyway, regardless of the cause - so I just don't think it adds anything to the equation.

OP - I was monitored for 7 years with changes between borderline and severe, so please don't panic that anything drastic is going to happen overnight. Borderline is most likely to sort itself out if you have a decent immune system to be honest and Drs don't want to do unnecessary procedures, so will just keep an eye on you. The fact they suggested 3 years is actually fantastic news as they really aren't concerned at this stage. Obviously if you get any unusual symptoms like abnormal pain or bleeding they will give you another smear without question. Please try not to worry....

ska_lover

OP, dont panic at this stage hun. I have had the treatments biopsys etc, and am on 6 montly smears at the mo, and while it is disheartening to get this news, it just means that the healthcare workers have you in their radar and are monitoring you. I have what is called mild dykasarosis (sp?) but is the mild form of it, so i dont worry.

From what I understand, some people can find borderline changes do go back to normal on their own.

lanavdt

Hi just wanted to add my 2pence, I had abnormal smears and colposcopy's and one batch of treatment. The smallest changes show up and they're usually self correcting-that's what my consultant said anyways. Hopefully you hear from your doc tomorrow to put your mind at ease x

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

DON'T PANIC.

I got a borderline about 10 years ago. Had the regular retests, all fine, have been ever since.

Sometimes it's just given (according to my old boss, who ran colposcopy) because the person looking at the slides is tired, has a headache and can't say for 100% that the slide is absolutely typical. It's better to err on the side of caution. Every smear that didn't look absolutely perfect had to be recorded as borderline, but she said the vast majority were absolutely normal and nothing to worry about, but good practice dictated that they were all treated the same.

Oh, but if I ever had any intermenstrual bleeding, postcoital bleeding or suchlike, I was always straight back down the doctors.


I worked in gynae. My GP knew that. They NEVER argued with me.

fluffnutter

ktb wrote: »

j.e.j I couldn't agree with you more - I was diagnosed with abnormal cells in 2002 at the age of 22 and was given no information whatsoever! I was just booked straight in for colposcopy & LLETZ treatment and told that would sort it. Low and behold my next annual smear showed abnormal cells and I ended up in a horrible monitoring cycle, culminating in another LLETZ a couple of years ago, which I desperately didn't want due to potential future issues carrying a baby.

I was never given any explanation from Doctors about what caused it so I did loads of research myself on HPV and learned about the links with your immune system, which changed the way I live my life. I started with this book... it's american but gives you the basics... http://www.amazon.co.uk/What-Doctor-About-Abnormal-Smears/dp/0446677876/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1319054989&sr=8-2

Personally though I don't think HPV testing is worthwhile.... if you have abnormal cell change the high likelihood is that you have HPV and knowing that 100% doesn't change anything as it is incurable and also if you get an abnormal result you should be having regular follow up smears anyway, regardless of the cause - so I just don't think it adds anything to the equation.

OP - I was monitored for 7 years with changes between borderline and severe, so please don't panic that anything drastic is going to happen overnight. Borderline is most likely to sort itself out if you have a decent immune system to be honest and Drs don't want to do unnecessary procedures, so will just keep an eye on you. The fact they suggested 3 years is actually fantastic news as they really aren't concerned at this stage. Obviously if you get any unusual symptoms like abnormal pain or bleeding they will give you another smear without question. Please try not to worry....

This isn't strictly true. HPV is a virus which the body will, in most cases, shrug off itself over time. That's not to say that it isn't by far the most common cause of cervical cancer - it is. But just because you've had problems with the virus in the past doesn't mean it will always be the case. Provided your immune system works OK, chances are you'll get rid of it.

POPPYOSCAR

revpeachy wrote: »

I had a borderline result last year but was booked in for a follow up 6 months later. This showed my body had "fixed" itself and my next appointment is with another 6 month gap. I think 3 years is way off mark; surely that's when they recommend for "normal" results to be retested.

Read this HTH: http://www.cancerscreening.nhs.uk/cervical/publications/pc-02.html

Yes, this is what happened with me.Only my follow up was 3 months.2nd test was clear, but they also gave me another one 6 months later as well.Perhaps it depends on your age.

I would contact your GP and express your concerns.