Colposcopy Biopsy Time?

Hi, I had a colposcopy just over a week ago after waiting 27 weeks from receiving my letter saying I was HPV positive and needed one. This came back from my first smear as I'm only 25. They initially thought I was CIN1 but now after colposcopy I am CIN3, and they didn't remove the cells as they want to see what my biopsy says first and then bring me back. I'm so anxious, I felt calm during my appointment because the staff were so lovely, but now thinking about how they said they were concerned, I'm really struggling, can anyone offer advice on time frames expected to hear back if things were really bad news or if the cells just need to be removed? 

I also have had irregular periods from always but over the last 2/3 years huge blood clots during periods, heavy bleeding, pain in sex etc. Other reasons I'm absolutely freaking out. Thank you in advance.

  • Hello Katrinaxx and thanks for posting, 

    It sounds like the colposcopy examination suggested CIN 3 but the biopsy results are needed to confirm it. I think the most likely biopsy result in this sort of situation would be CIN3 or CIN2. This is because it is unusual for cervical cancer to be diagnosed through screening; when it does happen, the cancers are usually very small and too early to be causing much in the way of symptoms. Cervical cancers picked up through screening are usually very curable and can often be treated with the same procedure used to treat abnormal cells. 

    I am afraid I don't know what the time frame will be before you get your biopsy results, but I think it is a very reasonable question to ask so I suggest you give the colposcopy clinic a call and see what you can find out. It may help to let them know you are struggling with the wait and ask to speak to one of the nurses there. 

    I can't know this for sure, but the colposcopy team may have been concerned because the level of abnormality seen was more than expected rather than because they thought it was worse than CIN3 .

    I understand that waiting is very challenging, I don't think you will have to wait as long as you did last time, but do try and speak to someone in the colposcopy clinic. I hope they can help to put your mind at rest a little. 

    Please do feel free to give us a call if you want to talk anything over. Our number is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and we are around weekdays, 9-5.

    Best wishes,

    Julia

  • Hi Julia,


    Thank you so much for your advice. I will get in contact tomorrow morning with my colposcopy clinic, I wasn't sure I wasn't able to do that, so that's most helpful.

     

    Many thanks,
    Katrina