Hi Bini1980

Having this type of result is extremely common and absolutely does not mean that you have cancer. The whole point of screening is to check for abnormal cells, caused by HPV but which are pre cancerous and can be simply removed. 

Genital warts(if you do have one) are caused by low risk strains of HPV, not the high risk strains which can cause abnormal cells, although it is possible to carry more than one strain of the HPV virus. 

There are different levels of abnormal cell changes ranging from mild to severe, but still not cancer. Mild changes would not normally be treated, but you would be closely monitored, as these mild changes can clear up. More severe abnormalities would normally be treated by a lletz treatment which removes the abnormal cells. It would not be common to have a hysterectomy as this is major surgery and abnormal cells can be treated with much less invasive procedures. In any event, a hysterectomy would not remove the HPV virus, so is not a cure all solution. Even after a hysterectomy abnormal cells can return in the same area-vaginal cuff, vulva etc. 

But I think it is way to early for you to be thinking about cancer and hysterectomies at this point. The changes mean you need the colposcopy to identify areas of abnormality, and possibly have biopsies taken to determine the level of abnormality to decide on treatment. I appreciate that an 8 week wait seems like a long time, but things are unlikely to change during this period of time. 

Thank you so much for your reply it is appreciated in a way I can't put into words.   I have been beside myself with worry.

the waiting is a nightmare as your head goes into overdrive. Thank you for giving me a glimmer of hope x 

Absolutely the waiting is so very hard when you don’t know what’s going on. But I would say you should have more than a glimmer of hope, however, as cervical changes do not always mean cancer, and are much more likely NOT to be. 

Please try not try not to use google to diagnose yourself-it will give worst case scenario horror stories and you really don’t need to have that get into your head. I never googled anything, ever, but I seem to be quite unusual in that from what I read on this forum! BUT, because I didn’t google, I didn’t have any unnecessary fear about what my diagnosis would be. 

Cervical changes can mean so many things that google is useless. The only thing that’s going to be able to say what’s going on is the colposcopy, which could take 8 weeks but may be quicker than that. I’d be tempted to phone the clinic and ask to be put on a cancellation list if you would be able to attend at short notice. 

Another point to think about is that if there was a suspicion of cervical cancer you would be on the 2 week referral pathway. 

I really hope your appointment can give you reassurance that your issue is something that can be easily resolved. I know that telling you not to worry doesn’t help you, but try not to let this drive you crazy as you wait. xx

Thank you Bini, just trying to help in the basis of my own knowledge and experience of this, and going through cervical cancer myself.

There is no cure for HPV, although the body’s immune system can clear the virus in the sense that it can become dormant in your system and not cause any issues. Almost everyone who has ever been sexually active will have come into contact with the virus-it really is incredibly common, and for most people doesn’t cause problems and most people will not be aware that they have it. If the virus is dormant/inactive you will not test positive for it at a smear test, so a negative test does not mean that you don’t have it. Just that it isn’t active at the time of the test. 

The only thing that you can do is try and strengthen your immune system, in terms of diet, exercise and not smoking..but there is no treatment for it. There is only treatment for the effects is causes-ie the abnormal cells.

if the cell changes are minimal, they are usually left untreated to see if they regress, and you willl be monitored by regular smears. If they need treated, they are removed in a short procedure called a lletz/loop excision which takes around 15 minutes.

Your partner will probably carry the same strains of HPV as you do, so it’s not a case of transferring it back and forth, as they will alreadyy have it.  However, if your partner is a man then there is no test for HPV in men, so there is no way of knowing.

Having HPV doesn’t mean it will continue to cause problems- it goes through phases of being active and dormant, and having an immune system that is as strong as possible is really all you can do to help clear it. 

Feel free to ask any questions that come into your head. I was in the same position of not knowing anything about this until it became an issue for me, but I have learned a great deal over the last few years. I don’t think there is nearly enough education around this virus, and it leaves women feeling frightened which is understandable. xx

Hey sorry for the late reply have been struggling to process this.  One minute I feel I can cope then I flip and have a meltdown.  I lost my papa on Xmas day last year and he was always the person that comforted me when things were rough.

I spoke with my doctor this morning and he is going to chase my appointment up as the not knowing is driving me but.  You are right there is most definitely not enough education in this area. You hear STI and think 40 with a sexually transmitted infection bug it's nothing like what it comes across as.  I just wish I didn't have the high risk, that's where my fear lies.

are you in good health now? X

Hi Bini

I hope you don’t have too long to wait for your appointment for the colposcopy-the waiting is very difficult. High risk HPV is what causes the cell changes, so every single woman who has had an abnormal cell result has high risk HPV and that’s a huge number of women! It’s nothing to be ashamed of at all. 

But most importantly, cell changes do not necessarily mean cancer. I know your mind must be going into overdrive, but it’s because of the fear and waiting. Personally, I never assumed the worst, and wasn’t even overly concerned about my biopsy results and I actually ended up with a cancer diagnosis. But I saved myself a great deal of worrying by not assuming the worst possible news before I knew anything. 

I’ve been through this cancer twice now, so I have learned not to worry until there is something to worry about. I’m doing well now thank you, but it hasn’t been easy. xx

Your truly inspirational.  I'm a really emotional person, natural worrier.  I think I'm going to take on board what you said earlier and focus on losing weight and getting much healthier than I currently am.  Try focus on that.  If you can get through this twice then I stand a frightening chance.

I hope it's okay if I keep in touch, you seem to be able to bring calm to me and not so panicked.

Definitely keep in touch and let me know how you’re getting on, and if I can help,I’ll do my best.

Just remember if you can that you don’t have a diagnosis of cancer at this point and may never have one. I would have loved to be in your position rather than the position I found myself in. But you just have to keep going, take one step at a time and not assume the worst.xx

Hi, 

I know this is an older post but do you have an update? I've had a smear and need to go for colposcopy and I'm terrified, just wondered how you are getting on x