Cervical cancer scare
Posted , 3 users are following.
Hi all I'm new to this forum and would just like a little advice
I started having pelvic pains around 6 weeks ago nothing major kind of a dull pain that would come and go throughout the day...I went to my gp which ge said im due for my smear so I decided to have it done as it's been a 7 year gap.... (dontjudgeme) after having my smear I started to get pains in lower back which were quite dull my gp then referred me to have a ultra sound they also did a transvaginal ultra sound and said everything looked normal their was a bit of free fluid but said that is quite normal.......the pain was still their and Dr then gave me a urine sample which he said I had microsopic blood in urine but no infection sent urine off and came back clear.....however I've had another 3 transvaginal ultra sounds in which they said everything was fine.....however I'm still having these pains which is now in he higher abdomen as well I've had full blood count test twice which everything came back normal........
I've been so stressed due to my smear results which came back borderline with hpv due to the stress I've lost a lot of weight .......I just think borderline no smear in 7 years and a smoker could they have misses somthing......the pain is also in my legs too......
I have my coloscopy this Tuesday and really scared I also have pains in chest wondering if it has spread to lungs
0 likes, 3 replies
eliz52 Sarah77772
Posted
Cervical cancer is actually a fairly rare cancer, 0.65% is the lifetime risk, it was always rare in the developed world and in natural decline before smear testing even started. Cervical screening probably helps a small number of women but sadly it also causes a lot of worry and harm to healthy women. Screening the wrong way just harms a lot more women. Here in Australia women are screened early and far too often so we have huge referral rates for colposcopy/biopsy and we seriously over-treat. Over-screening and early screening provides no additional benefit, just lots more false positives.
The Dutch and Finns make some attempt to confine the damage, they offer the first smear at age 30 and then 5 yearly until 60. The Dutch will further improve their program shortly and offer 5 HPV primary or HPV self testing at ages 30,35,40, 50 and 60 and only the roughly 5% who are HPV+ will be offered a 5 yearly smear. This will save more lives and it also takes most women out of smear testing and harms way.
Bowel cancer is far more common than cervical cancer, but women haven't been trained to greatly fear bowel cancer or even lung cancer, the latter is the No 1 cancer. So curious that women (even those who smoke) tend to greatly fear cervical cancer and forget that lung cancer is a much bigger risk. Smoking also pushes up the risk of other cancers too, like throat and oesophageal cancer.
You say "don't judge me"...that also shows how women have been trained to have this "elective" screening test, many don't see it's a choice, an option, nothing more. I don't have smears at all, an informed decision, as a low risk women the risks with screening were far too high for me, I was content with my near zero risk of cc and now I know HPV- women cannot benefit from smear testing. (that's most women)
So all screening should be an informed choice according to the law and proper ethical standards.
It is frustrating and frightening to have symptoms but everything appears to be normal. (according to test results) It's important not to focus on cervical cancer though, it's FAR more likely to be something else.
I'd ask for a referral to a general physician, someone who'll look at everything and not just concentrate on your reproductive system.
Abdominal pain can mean things like diverticulitis, IBS so you need someone to look at everything.
Good luck and again, try to stay calm, it's MOST unlikely that you have cervical cancer, but get a referral, hopefully, you'll then get some answers. Good luck...
Sarah77772 eliz52
Posted
I had my lletz on the 21st December under ga for suspected cin1/2 as I didn't have a biopsy....went well surgeon said it was highly unlikely nothing sinister but hey....I have to take his word and just trust him....I'm still having pain in pelvic area and lower back.....I'm booked for a pelvic and abdominal ultrasound in the new year....so we will see what comes of it. ...
I'm just sick of all if this....in the back of my mind I regret even going for my smear....I was a much happier person before all of this.....now I have the dreaded wait for results
victoria96337 Sarah77772
Posted
My last period was 20 days late and I was having cramping for a while. Finally it arrived and as it was ending I noticed the pelvic and back pain staying with me, and began having pains in my right calf muscle and chest pain right under my left boob. I waited only about a week to make a gyno appointment bc I felt something just wasnt right. I was almost certain I had ovarian cysts.
I went to the doctor who did a blood test and pap smear. No ultrasound. He said my left ovary was swollen. Went he pressed on it I felt pretty bad pain but he said its very common for women to have and if the pain was still around come back in February. He also suggested birth control but I am not a supporter of it and wanted to try things naturally first.
Last Monday (December 21) I received a voicmail stating my "lab results were normal." WHEW what a relief. At this point I wasnt really feeling much of anything anymore. I felt good. No pains.
However, this past Thursday (December 24) I recieved another call in which they told me I was positive for HPV and also had abnornal cells. Apparently the inital results were for my blood test not by Pap too
I have an apt for a coloscopy next Tuesday January 5! This waiting is KILLING ME!! And they dont even have an ultrasound scheduled, even though I asked for one!
I am driving myself CRAZY googling this and that and it has sent me into a panic. My pains have returned. Basically I have convinced myself I have cervical cancer. I dont have any insurance (I am in the U.S.) so this is adding tremendously to my anxiety. I have been getting normal paps my whole life until last year I had a normal pap but signs of HPV. I went back and they told me I didnt have it.
I just wanted to share with you that you're not alone. I have read countless websites but no one else has described chest pain. My friends are all telling me its stress. I am implementing a complete diet change as I havent been the most healthy lately and have gained a few. Are you doing this as well? I am going to quit coffee and alcohol for a while and focus on giving my body al the nutrients it requires. I am 30 in March and would like to live a long life and start a family very soon.
I'd like to try to stay in touch to see how it goes for the both of us!
Good luck and I hope to hear from you. Wishes for a happy healthy life!