Referred for 2 week investigation for cervical cancer

Hi. I have been referred on the 2 week urgent referral scheme for suspected cervical cancer. I have a yearly smear test and was due one a few weeks ago but came on my period on 1st April and it hasn’t stopped since. I went to the drs last week and they gave me Tranexamic Acid which did nothing except make it more clotted. Went back yesterday and get this referral done. Yet I have no idea what’s going to happen or anything just waiting for a call. I’ve not been able to think straight since. I can’t sleep and have been constantly thinking about it. I know the statistics are 9 out of 10 will get the all clear. But can’t help but worry. I have had previous bleeding after intercourse feeling sick (although checked several times and not pregnant) felt tired and had on off pains in pelvis but feel deep inside (hard to explain)bloating and my stools have become loose most of the time. Just wanted to talk somewhere as my parents already panicked enough with just telling them I was referred so didn’t want to put this on them too. 

Previous smears all clear except one in 2003 which is why I have them yearly.

Thankyou for listening. 

 

  • Hi Kelly

    I know it’s really worrying to get a 2 week referral, but it does mean you’ll be seen quickly to get this sorted out, and it doesn’t mean you have cancer. 

    My experience was that I was referred to the gynaecology outpatient clinic at the women’s hospital and met with a gynaecologist who examined me. He asked what I would like him to do that day and I asked him to do everything that he could in that one appointment. He did an internal examination, a hysteroscopy(camera put up inside your womb) and some punch biopsies of my cervix where he took samples to send for analysis. None of this was painful...at most a little uncomfortable and I did bleed quite a lot afterwards and have some discomfort. Just took a couple of paracetamols and was fine.

    This may not be the same for you, but I would expect at the very least you will have an internal exam. I was bleeding at the time I went, but he was still able to examine me and was very understanding. 

    I hope things go well at your appointment, but do come on here and ask questions, get support. I found it really helpful. I have quite a lot of experience of what you’re going through, so will be more than happy to chat. x

  • Hi first of all I saw that you are now in remission that’s great. I am pleased for you. 

    Thankyou for your reply. It’s good to hear nothing was painful as was worried that they may be. I have decided nothing good comes out of googling your symptoms

    I have no idea what I’m walking in to that’s the hardest thing I thing. I was just told it’s an investigation appointment and also was referred for an emergency scan appointment. Just wish I knew what was wrong it’s easier to deal with than not knowing. 

    I’m glad they can do tests whilst I’m bleeding as this has shown no signs of stopping. 

    Thankyou for offering a listening ear I find it hard to be able to talk to anyone. My husband bless him is positive and tries to hard to brush it off then I have my parents that are completely the opposite and are really worried and Make it difficult to talk to without them thinking the worst. (Sorry for the log reply)

  • Hi Kelly

    Yes, thank you, my latest checkup shows no evidence of disease.

    I remember how scary it is dealing with the unknown, which is right where you are now. Once you know a little more it will become easier to handle and I would recommend that you don’t google anything as it will send you into a spiral of terror! There is a lot of incorrect and out of date information on the internet so stick to sites like this and chat to others on here who have gone through similar experiences, 

    I expect you will have an MRI scan of your pelvis so they can see what’s happening in there. This is a very noisy machine! You are not totally enclosed in it, your head is not in it, and it takes about half an hour. You are likely to feel it juddering, along with the noise which can be quite alarming, but I was given earplugs and headphones where I could listen to the radio. I also asked for an eye mask which I found helpful. I was given an injection of buscopan in my arm to settle my bowel so they could get better images. I tried to imagine I was lying on a beach somewhere! 

    I was concerned that they wouldn’t examine me when I was bleeding, but he said he could do quite a bit of testing despite this. The hysteroscopy wasn’t very successful as he couldn’t see much of the area because of the bleeding but taking biopsies wasn’t an issue. I recommend taking some pads with you to any investigation appointments...I had a lot of extra bleeding I wasn’t prepared for! 

    It can be difficult to talk to family...especially when you don’t know what’s going on as is the case for you now. That’s when being able to chat on a site like this can be very helpful. Any questions, feel free to ask! xx

  • Hi thankyou for the information. As I was given no details about the tests they will perform. I have now had my appointment date for the 8th May. Which feels like forever away. I have looked at more simple diagnosis like cervical erosion, fibroids and endometriosis. But symptoms for those seem very vague as to prolonged bleeding. I have decided that I want to go on my own, I know a lot of people like someone for support but for me I feel it’s added pressure. Will make sure I pack pads thankyou. Had some on off pain in my upper inside thigh where groin is but don’t know if I should mention this or if it’s even relevant as it isn’t all the time just on off. Have been told to write a list of questions etc. but have no idea what to say or ask. Was looking on here for people that have been on here with same issues and have had good news and it’s all turned out to be nothing but I guess a lot of people don’t come back to say all was good. Which I will update either way. 

    Thankyou

    i hope you a have a lovely weekend xx

  • Do whatever you feel most comfortable with Kelly, and if that is going on your own that’s fine. When I was being examined by the gynaecologist the nurse was holding my hand and chatting to me all the time which was really nice! My partner took me, but that’s because the hospital is nearly 20 miles away and I don’t drive. Initially I used to go into my appointments alone but now we go in together as it’s difficult to take in all the information they tell you and it’s useful to have another pair of ears. I was in my own when I was diagnosed as that’s what I wanted.

    I would mention the pain in your groin-tell them everything as it may be relevant and it will help them assess you. Questions will depend...that’s a difficult one to know what to say. Tell them all of your symptoms and how long you’ve had them. Ask what tests they will carry out and when they are likely to happen. Ask when you are likely to get results back and how that will be done-by letter, call or a further appointment. Ask what will happen next in the process. Do not be scared to ask them to explain things further...I had problems with all the medical jargon they can bombard you with, so I asked them to slow down in telling me things and explain it in simple terms. They can forget that this is all new to you and you’re scared! I found I could really only deal with one thing at a time, so I focused on taking things a day at a time, trying not to think too far ahead. 

    Lots of people will have a simple explanation for their symptoms and will not post here...as a cancer forum it tends to be more about the disease and the diagnosis but remember that for now you don’t know and it might very well be that you don’t have cancer. If you do, there will be a plan and support and you can get though it. But for now, try your best not to think worst case scenario and keep busy to try to keep your mind from negative thoughts. Enjoy your weekend! xx