Hi Laura,

I was wondering if you or if there's anyone else who has been through cervical cancer could give me some advice? I'm out of my mind with worry. I recently lost my mum to ovarian cancer a couple of months ago, and O noticed around Sept last year I started having lower abdominal pain on the left side, some days worse than others. It's been like an achy pain or sometimes a period type pain. Due to taking care of her and also my own anxiety, I only spoke to a doctor in Feb. They sent me for blood tests which I had in March that came back normal, I also had a CA125 result of 25 which is within normal. I'm due an ultrasound next month as well as a smear test (I'm 37 and never had a smear before - I was told by a Dr about 12 years ago that because I'm gay I didn't need one - yes I know it's stupid). I have always had issues with sometimes missing periods for months at a time over the years, but in Feb started having bloody/brown discharge on and off, which I've never had before. My period finished on Apr 3rd, then had discharge between 12th to 15th, then had more yesterday. It doesn't smell funny to me. I was originally worried about ovarian cancer because of my mum, but I'm now thinking it might be cervical cancer. I really feel it is 'some kind' of gynaecological cancer, but I am petrified of having to have any surgery or chemo/radiation etc. What other symptoms did you have and can I ask how long these went on for? I am scared mine has been left too long now since Sept :(

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for reading x

Hi Butterfly

While you wait for Laura’s reply I thought I’d jump in with some thoughts-I’ve had cervical cancer twice,

What I would say is that it’s hard to compare your symptoms to someone else’s and come up with an answer as there are so many reasons for the symptoms you are describing which may be something completely different to cancer. You have realised now that you should have been having smear tests as a gay woman, and I’m astonished by some of the advice doctors give. But you are getting one soon, so that will identify if there are any abnormal cells there. Cell changes, and even their development into cancer is a very slow process typically in the cervix, so I wouldn’t be concerned about a wait of a few months. Everyone’s situation is unique, so another person’s symptoms and how long they’ve had them isn’t really relevant to your situation. 

The ultrasound will hopefully pick up anything gynaecological but it’s not a typical scan used in a cervical cancer diagnosis. The smear test is also not a cancer diagnostic test-it is to check for cell changes caused by the HPV virus, where abnormal cells may worsen and develop into cancer if left untreated.

But all that is way in the future, if it ever happens at all! At the moment the priority is to identify and treat what is causing your symptoms, which may or may not be anything to do with your cervix. It’s way too early in the process to be thinking of cancer and treatments at this stage, so try not to worry until you know what you’re dealing with. xx

Hi Minska,

Thank you so much for your reply. I'm sorry you have had to go through this terrible disease, but you sound like an absolute fighter!

I am just very worried as I'm pretty sure it is going to be cancer. I always seem to have bad luck (I'm really not an optimistic person unfortunately). They always say that you know your own body, and I've never had discharge issues/pain before. It was strange also as when I booked the smear test, the receptionist woman said the nurse might not even do it because I haven't had a reminder letter ‍♀️ which seems ridiculous to me as I told her I had symptoms and was already going for a scan. I don't have a lot of faith in the system to be honest as my mum was greatly let down with treatment options.

Are you able to answer me something? I was just wondering through a lot of posts I've read that with cervical cancer the first course of action seems to be chemo and radiotherapy? I assumed that they would want to remove it surgically prior to that? I'm just curious as to why that seems to be the case for many people.

All the best and take care  x

Hello again

The first line of treatment is dependent on the stage of the cancer. Surgical removal can only happen at stage 1 normally, and sometimes stage 2a, but beyond that it’s not an option. 

Very early stage cancer, stage 1a1 for example which is tiny, may be removed by a Lletz or cone biopsy, and early stage beyond that (still stage 1 though) you are typically looking at a radical hysterectomy, which is not the same as a total or simple hysterectomy in that it removes more. I was stage 2b, so surgery was not an option and I went straight to chemo radiation. It’s not safe to attempt surgery at that stage due to the risk of spread. 

Radiation is the main treatment...typically around 25 daily sessions and chemo is a low dose of a drug called Cisplatin done once a week for around 5 sessions at the same time as radiotherapy. But each person‘s treatment is tailored to them individually, so is not identical for all. The chemo doesn’t cause hairloss, which I assumed it would! Like I say, it’s a low dose because radiotherapy is key. 

I’m sorry you felt let down by the medical system, but you know your body best and if you feel something isn’t right, it’s best to have it all checked. I will say something though-it’s amazing the strength you find to deal with a cancer diagnosis in my opinion. And having a positive mindset is really helpful. I used to consider myself not optimistic at all and always anticipated the worst, but that changed with my diagnosis and it really does help to keep positive thoughts! Let’s hope you’re not faced with that though!

I’m happy to try and help if you have any questions at all about things. I’ve been through a lot of treatment. x

Hi Minska,

Thank you for explaining all of that. I'm astounded that they don't offer surgery as a first option usually if someone is diagnosed above stage 1. To be honest, if it is something bad, I'd rather just have everything out because I don't need it, not having kids etc. Could I ask how old you were when you were diagnosed?

Thank you again and take care x

Hi Minska,

Thank you for explaining all of that. I'm astounded that they don't offer surgery as a first option usually if someone is diagnosed above stage 1. To be honest, if it is something bad, I'd rather just have everything out because I don't need it, not having kids etc. Could I ask how old you were when you were diagnosed?

Thank you again and take care x

Hi NB

Surgery is too dangerous at higher stages. Location and size of tumour also play a part. I appreciate that the first instinct is to cut it out-mine was! And my gynaecologist said that I would have surgery initially..but then scans to stage my cancer showed it wasn’t an option. I was 56 at diagnosis, so was post menopausal and also not needing any of my parts any longer. But that wasn’t relevant when it came down to treatment. x