Hello Vickieb and than you for your post.

I am sorry to hear about the worry you have but can I first say that breast cancer does not usually come back and spread to the cervix. Also having this result is very unlikely to mean you have cervical cancer.

There are many types of HPV and most do not cause serious health problems. A few specific types of HPV are checked for as part of the NHS Cervical Screening Programme. These types of HPV cause the cells that line the cervix to become abnormal, these abnormal cells (usually over many years) can develop into cancer. This test has really only been available across the NHS in the last couple of years.

While being told you have HPV could be a worry please know that nearly everyone in their lifetime will have been infected at some point. It is spread from skin to skin contact, so you can see why it is so common.  Research has shown that most people can clear HPV in 1 to 2 years. In some it might lie dormant (sleep) and be in their system for many years.  People that have health conditions that affect their immune system might find it difficult to shift the HPV from their bodies.  Also people who smoke may find their immune system does not work as well at getting rid of HPV.

Please be reassured that you will be seen at the colposcopy unit, as this is the best way to see if you still have abnormal cells and to what degree they are abnormal. Do let the specialist nurse or doctor know that for you having the smear test is difficult and they will look after you and make this procedure as comfortable as possible.  We have information about having a colposcopy on our website you can see it here  

Depending on what is seen at colposcopy will determine if you need to have a biopsy done and have treatment to remove the abnormal cells , but not everyone needs to have this done. This depends on whether there are still abnormal cells there and to what degree they are abnormal. You can read about having abnormal cervical cells on our website here   As I said most women will not have cervical cancer.

Please remember that by always attending your cervical screening appointment you are greatly reducing the risk of ever getting cervical cancer.  I hope you will be okay.

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 

Hi

This is really strange as you kindly replied to my message earlier about the punch biopsy. 

I had a colposcopy many years back when I had my first ever smear. It came back saying I had precancerous cells. I had a colposcopy where they used dye to show up the abnormal cells and then used a laser to burn them away. I experienced no pain - just a bit if discomfort from someone rooting around! That was about 20 years ago and my smear tests have been clear ever since.

X

Thank you so much for replying.  How strange that we have overlapped like this ?  I had breast cancer 6-7 years ago and have been fine since but my last smear test has come back with abnormal cell changes.  Obviously this has thrown up a lot of worry although I feel better now.  I'm still waiting for my appointment.  Did they do a biopsy of your cells ?  I think I'm just a bit frightened as I find the smear test quite uncomfortable.  Thanks for replying though.  And I hope you get on okay x

Sorry for the late reply.

I'm really not sure if they did a biopsy of my ces. All I remember is that they were precancerous and they would just remove them with the colposcopy. 

Do you have a date for your colposcopy?

Thanks for replying.  No, it's sometime in the next 6 weeks but I think they're struggling to organise appointments -they are going to phone me back.  This also adds to the anxiety in some ways.  

Do you have a date for your biopsy ?

x

My punch biopsy is done and tomorrow is the CT scan. Hopefully once all these are done and the results back then we can start treating this horrible cancer!

Okay, everything crossed for you.  x

Thank you so much xxx

Hi Vickieb

How are you doing?

X

Hiya,

That's kind of you to check in.  I'm okay, still waiting for appointment but think it will be the week before Christmas (how festive!) as that will be 6 weeks since I was contacted - think that's the deadline.  Feeling less freaked out and I'm not tellling anyone close to me (except husband and best friend know) as I find dealing with other people's reactions hard to deal with sometimes.  How are you doing ?

xx