Hi

On Friday I had some light brown discharge on the toilet paper after wiping following a wee and there was also some slightly brighter red when I inserted my finger into my vagina (not visible on the actual finger but when wiped on toilet paper).  I’m 55 years old and it’s been over 3 years since my last period.  I have never had sex (virgin).  I spoke to the 111 service and the nurse advised I contact the GP on Monday so that I can be seen and referred to the hospital for further investigation.  She said it could be caused by a number of things, including cancer.  She also recommended I get a BV test kit, which indicated trichomoniasis which as I’ve not been sexually active suggests it’s not the most accurate result.

I contacted my GP yesterday (Monday) via their online system and received a call back asking me to go into the surgery that morning, get a vaginal swab kit, do the swab in their toilets so that it can be collected and taken for testing by midday.  I should get the results on Wednesday.  I queried why I wasn’t being offered a F:F appointment and an examination.  He said their first response would be the swab and it was quicker if I did that myself rather than wait for an appointment.  I queried the discharge and he said you don’t get discharge with cancer.  I queried BV and bleeding and he confirmed this could happen.  If the BV is negative they will offer me an appointment then.

I have been in touch two further times to request an appointment, highlighting that the NHS website says a patient with PMB should be referred by the GP to the hospital or clinic and that discharge can be a sign of cancer but have not heard back from them.

Please can you advise whether you think the above pathway and the triaging clinician’s rationale is correct.  

If the BV swab comes back positive should I still request a F:F appointment and examination or will treatment for BV be enough.

If the cause of the PMB is more sinister will this delay in being seen make the prognosis worse.

I have severe health anxiety already so would really appreciate your perspective to keep my concerns in check.  I’m also very socially isolated so have no one to talk to re this.  I’m not sleeping or eating due to fear/stress.

Thank you.