High risk HPV and Severe Dyskaryosis

Hello,

Hoping for some advice. Im 28 with 1 child (had him at 15)

I went for my first smear at 25 all came back normal, went for my 2nd one in feb 2021 and it came back HPV positive no abnormal cells so check up again 12 months later. Went for smear Feb 2022 and its come back High risk HPV and High grade severe dyskaryosis. 

My question is how can i end up with the severe cell changes in 1 year? 

I have tried to research online and it keeps saying it takes years for changes to occur i.e mild to severe so i havent actually found anything or anyone who has been through the same. Everyone i have read have had changes over a 3 year period not in 12 months. 

I went for my colposcopy in April (4 weeks ago today) she explained the procedure and the likelihood of having Lletz. She didnt even look barely 20 seconds before she said we need to go ahead with the Lletz as it cant be left. She didnt say anything other than my cervix was covered so didnt want to leave it, even when done there was no explanation of what she had seen. I do know some cells have been sent to check and to wait about 6 weeks for results.

I'm not one to normally panic and i sit here thinking should i have asked questions (to late now i know) i just want to know the results, the wait is awful and your mind goes into overdrive.

I do know over the last 9-12 months i have awful pelvic pain, stomach bloating and the inability to hold my bladder (have to wear tenna ladies) which at 28 is embarrassing. This has been happening for over 2 years but got worse these last 9-12 months. Due to covid i never went to doctors as they had more pressing issues to deal with and to be honest felt like id be wasting their time.

Whats worrying is knowing my mum had cervical cancer same age as me, thankfully after hysterectomy all was sorted.

I know no one can answer the last part but would be great to hear from others who have had the same as me regarding cell changes. Is 12 months a quick time to develop such changes? 

 

Thanks x

  • Hello and thank you for your post.

    I am sorry to hear about your situation and I can appreciate that this is a worrying time for you.

    I am afraid that I cannot tell you why you have developed high grade dyskaryosis so quickly. However, you do still have HPV and this causes cells to become abnormal. Current clinical evidence shows that cervical cancer usually takes a number of years for abnormal cells to progress and then develop into cancer, this usually happens in around 10 years. However, there is nearly always exceptions and sometimes things happen that cannot be fully explained.

    You were asked to come back in a year because it was possible to get abnormal cells. At the colposcopy unit an abnormal area has been seen for which you have had treatment (the LLETZ procedure) and a biopsy was taken. The biopsy will give more information than the smear test did but will take a few weeks to be known. While I know this could be a worrying time for you it does not mean you necessarily have cancer, most women will not have cancer.

    I see your concerns about your mum having cervical cancer. Our current understanding about who gets cervical cancer is that the risk of getting it does not run in families.

    Your current symptoms do not necessarily have anything to do with your abnormal cervical cells as this does not usually cause any symptoms. If you have not already done so do let the colposcopy team or GP know about them. Do also mention the problem with your bladder as this may be related to your pelvic floor muscle which after giving birth can be weakened. If this is the case you may find doing pelvic floor exercise helps.  

    I hope you do not wait too much longer for your biopsy result.

    Please get back to us if you need any more information or support.  You may find it helpful to talk things through with one of the nurses on our helpline. The number to call is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and the lines are open from 9am till 5pm Monday to Friday.

    Take care,

    Caroline 

  • I'm the same boat had 2 hvp posstive results no cell chnages then 27th April had another smear 10 months from last and it's now server dyskaryosis and hvp possitive colposcpy called me before my letter was released had to reschedule my colposcpy to next Tuesday because aunt flow decides to step in :/ let me no how you get on because I'm really nervous. Fingers crossed for you 

  • Hello hun,

     

    Sorry for late reply been on Holiday. 

    Hope everything went ok with your colposcopy?

     

    I have my results and it was good news, no cancer detected and all got rid of. Got to go back Sept/Oct for a smear to check no cells have changed again then imagine back to routine smears after that hopefully.

    Please let me know how you get on! Got my fingers crossed for you x