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 NB,

One of the worst things about health anxiety is that our fears make every twinge, ache and gurgle seem abnormal.  Believe me, I know! So the best thing you can do for yourself now is go to your appointments, find out what's going on and take it from there. If it is something, you can make a plan on how to attack it, if it is nothing, then you can move on. Knowing is so much better than worrying! Once you take control of your health you will find your anxieties will start to subside and become more manageable. Part of my fears were "what will the doctor think, it's been so long since I've been seen" or "what will they think of my not so healthy choices (used to smoke)". I found out the doctor didn't judge or lecture me at all, just wanted to make sure I received help and got myself taken care of.

I think I've described my personal symptoms in prior posts, so you could probably find them there. But l also agree with Minska, everyone is different so it is hard to compare symptoms to get answers. Make sure to come back and post how you are doing.

Laura xx

Hello, 

Thank you for taking the time to reply, I really appreciate it. 

It is the not knowing either way which is worse, as I am sure everyone on here has experienced.

Hopefully, it is as you said, something else. Or indeed in the early stages as you said. 

Thank you once again, x

Hello, 

I had my colposcopy on Thursday the 29th of July and I am currently waiting on the results. I know it has only been 1 week but the waiting is hard as it feels like everything has been put on hold until I know what is what. 

I am sincerely hoping it is something else altogether. However, I was having irregular bleeding, bleeding after sex, stomach pain the day after sex and also severe lower back ache. All the bleeding is very unusual for me as I have never experienced either previously. Also, I have been going to the bathroom far more frequently.

From reading the forums I know these are pretty common symptoms which is even more concerning. 

Hi Laura and

[@Minska]‍

Week one done no issues so far feeling fine eating and drinking OK, getting out for walk everyday.

I know things are likely to go downhill just glad the first week passed without any issues.

Hope you are both well.

AMF

Hello AMF

Good to hear from you and to know you’ve got the first week under your belt. The effects in my experience were cumulative, so I did fine for the first 2 weeks before the fatigue and everything else started. Some ladies sail through it all, so it is different for everyone, but you’ve just got to take it day by day. Hoping you continue to do well, and thanks for coming back with your update. x

Hi,

Glad things are going well! Keep moving forward but listen to your body and rest when you need to. I was pretty tired after treatments but I also had spent 10 days in the hospital prior to starting due to a bleeding event. They started radiation and chemo in the hospital  to stop the bleeding, so that was a good thing.  Keep us posted - you got this!

Laura x

Hi Laura and [@Minska]‍ 

I finished my treatment yesterday. 4 chemo didn't manage 5 as my platlets were too low. 25 radiotherapy and 3 brachytherapy. All in all I was pretty well throughout just a bit of heartburn twice and was pretty tired at the end.

I'm not going to lie the brachytherapy lying on your back not being able to move for 36 hours was tough my back hurt like mad. But the other parts were fine. I dreded the rod removal part but a couple of deep breaths and it was done.

Consultant said my tumour had reduced prior to the brachytherapy so that was good news. My tumour is adenocarcinoma and they don't react as quickly as squashamous cell so I was quite pleased. 

Next scan December until then it's rest and recuperation.

Hope you are both well xx

Hi AMF

Great to hear you are done! I only had 4 out of the 5 chemos too for the same reason as you. Mine was also adenocarcinoma but the good news is that radiotherapy keeps on working in your body after treatment is finished so just rest and recover now. Radiotherapy made me very tired! xx

Hi AMF,

Great news, glad you are through the treatments. I also only had 4 of 5 chemo treatments, same reason as you and Minska, low, low blood counts. Yes, the internal radiation is hard and very tiring, but you will bounce back eventually. Rest, do what you can when you feel up to it and keep us posted!

Laura xx

Hi Amf! Pls can you share how you are getting on? 

Hi Sarah,

I am getting on fine, I am 3 weeks post treatment for stage 2b adenocarcinoma. 

I found the treatment easy to cope will just a bit of heartburn and some tiredness around weeks 5 and 6.

Physical I am almost back to my normal self and hope to return to work next month after having 3 months off.

I have my next scan in December to see how things stand, adenocarcinoma is not as responsive as squashamous cell its a bit of a slow burner.  Scan taken prior to brachytherapy showed tumour had reduced so fingers crossed brachytherapy has reduced it further.

Take care x

Hi Sarah,

I am getting on fine, I am 3 weeks post treatment for stage 2b adenocarcinoma. 

I found the treatment easy to cope will just a bit of heartburn and some tiredness around weeks 5 and 6.

Physical I am almost back to my normal self and hope to return to work next month after having 3 months off.

I have my next scan in December to see how things stand, adenocarcinoma is not as responsive as squashamous cell its a bit of a slow burner.  Scan taken prior to brachytherapy showed tumour had reduced so fingers crossed brachytherapy has reduced it further.

Take care x

Thanks so much for the quick reply! Really appreciate it! 

No problem Sarah if you have any other questions give me a shout.

Hi everyone, 

ive just had my diagnosis of cervical cancer on Tuesday.  I'm waiting on my MRI date now.  They said up to 4 weeks but has been marked as urgent etc.  The waiting is unbearable.  Has anyone had one recently for cervical and can give me a rough indication of how long it might take.  Also how long after that should I get results from it?  
 

Thanks 

Hi,

I.got my diagnosis with CC on 30th May I then had CT and MRI on the 14th June met with gynaecologist on 17th June to discuss scans. I then had PET at end of June met with gynaecologist the next day where I was diagnosed with stage 2b 4 cm adenocarcinoma no spread and no lymph nodes involved. 

After that I was referred to oncologist and then had planning scans my treatment started on 3rd August. I had 25 radiotherapy 5 chemo and 3 brachytherapy I finished treatment on 16th September. I am based in Edinburgh.

If you have any further questions feel free to message me.

Take care x

Thanks very much for your reply.  That's a long wait between diagnosis and treatment.  I'm in Glasgow so expect will be similar timescales to yours.  Hope your keeping well.  

Hi there

Even in pre covid times this was a pretty standard period between diagnosis and treatment starting. There are a lot of appointments, and scans and planning to do. I was diagnosed mid September and started treatment in November. It did seem a long time, but it’s quite normal.

Hi Minska 

I wondered if you could help. I know you speak to loads of people with CC. So my sister has been diagnosed with CC yday. She is worried it's spread. She started having symptoms last year and the doctors wouldn't really take her seriously. But she went private and during her smear, the dr got her to do a colposcopy and take a biopsy, during the colposcopy, the dr said she was sure it was cancer and she looked shocked,  she was told 2 days later she had cervical cancer. Last year she was complaining of bone pain and the doctor tool bloods and told her it was low vitamin d, she has a dull ache in her lower back, is taking medication for bleeding and pain relief for the lower back ache. Do you think it's spread?! I don't know. I just so want to help. 

Hi Sarah

I’m so sorry to hear your sister’s diagnosis-it’s horrible to hear those words. She’s lucky to have you to be looking out for her and being there to help. I know it’s very hard right now not to think things might be bad, but what I would advise is just to try not to let your thoughts run away with themselves before you have any more information. 

Cervical cancer is typically slow growing, and while lower back pain can be a symptom of cervical cancer it can also be unconnected. So try not to think about spread at this stage. Your sister is at a very early stage in the diagnostic process, and will need an mri and ct scan next to determine stage and treatment plan. Try to take everything day by day right now, and that will make things more manageable for you both. There are different treatments for different stages of this cancer, depending on size and location of the tumour, but there will be a treatment! Just try to think positive at this point, and be there for her at what I know is a very scary time for you all. Please come back here for advice and support-it helps to be able to talk with people who have been through this. xx

Thank you for the reply.  Guess the not knowing what stage is making me feel uneasy.  [@sarah467]‍  I'm in the same situation as ur sister just now as had been bleeding for a while before being diagnosed so can understand how she is feeling.  I'm hoping for the best.  Like Minska said the doctor told me that it's not typically an aggressI've cancer and is usually slow to spread so I'm hoping this is the case for me and ur sister too.  X

Thanks so much!! I am so scared for her but trying to be strong for her. She is taking pain meds for the moment as she is struggling with her lower back ache. 
I just feel useless as I can't help really.