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Cancer scare

Lipsy
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Hi l recently went to hospital to see doctor had 3 biopsy took l was told l had vin a precancer condition of vulva doctor said looks like l at stage 1 vin or stage 2 vin l now have an appointment to go back so take it to discuss my results then l have had my smear results through took 8 weeks to come in post it saying it shows l have HPV virus and that there changes to cervix so said l get an appointment in post take up to 8 weeks to get an appointment for a colophony think l spelt it wrong but anyway really worried now that l have something on out side now also inside thing is l was due my smear last April 2021 l have never missed a smear in my life but due to hip problems as in for hip replacement surgery l can't open my left leg hence reason my smear that late getting took so it's now worrying me could these changes now be cancer with missing getting my smear done last year April l got my smear this July the 1st what's the chances of it turning cancer being late with my smear thanks 

 

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    Hi

    Did the letter you received about your smear results say what grade of changes they found? It's usually CIN 1, CIN 2 or CIN 3? When is your appointment to discuss the changes on the vulva? I had widespread VIN 3 on my vulva that was picked up during my yearly smear test as my smears have always been abnormal since I started having them aged 25. I also have the HPV virus. Try not to worry too much....the point of these tests is to pick up these changes early so that they can be treated.

    Xx

  • Hello and thank you for your post,

    VIN ( Vulval Intraepithelial Neopliasia ) is a skin condition affecting the vulva. It is not cancer, but can in some cases increase the risk of cancer developing. The biopsy will determine what level of VIN you have and if you need treatment or if you need to be followed up and kept an eye on.  

    You have also had your cervical screening result that shows you have HPV (Human PapillomaVirus) and some abnormal changes to the cells that line your cervix. You are going to be seen at the colposcopy clinic to have your cervix checked out in more detail. This doesn't mean you have cancer, but that some cells that line your cervix are abnormal. You can read more this on our website here  

    HPV is a common infection that can cause the cells that line the cervix to be abnormal, checking for it is now part of the NHS screening programme. It is possible that you were not tested for HPV at your last smear test because it was not routinely available, it is now.  If low grade changes were found you might not need to be treated as these can revert to normal cells after a while.  If this happened you will be checked again in 1 year.  You will know more about your cervix when you get to your appointment and waiting 8 weeks is unlikely to cause you harm. 

    There are different types of VIN and some types are caused by HPV.  it looks like you will see the gynaecologist when you go back for your biopsy results and this looks like it will be before your colposcopy appointment. This will be a good opportunity to have your situation further explained to you. 

    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 

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