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 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. 

Not knowing things takes away our control, but finding out the stage and plan gives us some control back as we know what we’re facing and what we need to do. Once we know, I think we can deal with things more easily. Always hope for the best, and try not to look for the worst would be my motto! 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

Hi Sarah

You can help just by being there for her, believe me! She may want to rant, cry, and that’s okay. One thing I would also add is that you don’t always need to be strong! It’s not possible for anyone to be strong all the time, not for any of us, and you need to take care of yourself too. It’s ok for you not to be strong all the time, and you will need support too. And once treatment starts, there are lots of practical ways to help which you can do..things like making meals, helping with housework, that sort of thing if you live close enough. For now, I’m sure she will appreciate having you to lean on for emotional support. xx 

Thank you so much. Really. 

You are so welcome Sarah. Please come back and keep us posted with what’s going on and we will all help to keep you going. xx

Hi Laura and [@Minska]‍ hope you are both well. I haven't posted for a while so thought I'd give you a quick update. 

Finished treatment for stage 2b adenocarcinoma in September  had first post treatment scan in November which showed reduction had second scan in February which showed a small area consultant said could be scar tissue  Inflammation or residual cancer as they all look the same on scan. He did not think biopsy was necessary so will rescan in 4 months if area still there and no change then will just leave things alone. 

Went back to work in December and have been feeling really well no issues at all I have been very lucky in that respect. I know this is a marathon not a sprint so I will.just continue moving forward. Going to book a nice holiday.

Take care xx

Hi AMF

Well done on being back at work and feeling well. Sorry your scan is still showing something. It’s hard for them to tell what it could be without a biopsy, but if there’s no change at your next scan that would sound hopeful it’s nothing to worry about. 

I hope you’re luckier than me-mine was residual cancer and spread really fast, so I was glad after the scan they did a biopsy to make sure. I had no symptoms and felt really well.

I booked a holiday when I was NED after my first treatments-the day I came home from the appointment telling me treatment had been successful. Go for it and enjoy! xx

Hi AMF

Well done on being back at work and feeling well. Sorry your scan is still showing something. It’s hard for them to tell what it could be without a biopsy, but if there’s no change at your next scan that would sound hopeful it’s nothing to worry about. 

I hope you’re luckier than me-mine was residual cancer and spread really fast, so I was glad after the scan they did a biopsy to make sure. I had no symptoms and felt really well.

I booked a holiday when I was NED after my first treatments-the day I came home from the appointment telling me treatment had been successful. Go for it and enjoy! xx

Thanks Minska, 

I thought they might do a biopsy when I asked about it he said he would if he was concerned he said that biopsies can cause ulcers and infections which can be difficult to deal so would only do this if he felt it was necessary. The grade of cancer is grade 1 so slow growing so if it is residual cancer it hopefully won't grow  too much. He showed me all my scans from the first to the last and its amazing the difference the treatment has made. During it I was never up nor down which is strange when my body was going through so much

 But for now it's back to waiting but this has now become part of life for me and will continue to be for many years to come.

Hope you are well, I  pop.on every now and then it's great to see your still proving support and information to all the women however at the same time it's sad that so many women are still.being diagnosed. 

Take care xx

Hi AMF

It’s  amazing you never had any effects from treatment, but it must have made everything much easier for you to get through.

Yes, waiting becomes such a feature in our lives after diagnosis doesn’t it-always seem to be waiting for something! But I find it best just to get on with life and try to put any negative thoughts out of my head. No point in spending life worrying.

Hopefully the vaccine will see a big reduction in future diagnoses. It’s already having a big impact on younger women, which is great news. 

Hope you’ll keep popping back on here, and also hope you get a nice holiday booked! xx