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

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

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

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

Thanks Minska 

I really appreciate it. She has been having a dull pain in her back that she needs pain meds for, really trying hard not to let her see me worried. 
Thanks so much for replying Minska