Morning Laura 

Here’s my story. 

Aged 50 - 2019 Had cancer smear all clear told to return 2024 

January 2021

Thought I was going through menopause as started having irregular spotting and hot flushes whilst living in Cyprus. Military doctors said I needed scan prior to HRT. Scan showed cyst on ovary. Not a problem as it’s small. 

So didn’t rush to doctors to finish discussion as I was busy working etc. 

July 2022

Moved back to U.K.

Registered here with doctor. 

They wanted to redo scan etc. 

Had scan and now 4 cysts. Still nothing to worry about as small. 

Scan showed irregularities so biopsies were taken.  I thought  it would be fine it’s just the menopause.

 December 15 th 2023 

I took a phone call ( I requested call thinking it will be fine )from gynaecologist consultant. 

It was the news every dreads. 

All 8 biopsies were cancerous. 

My reply was “ What now” 

Scan and mri 

Anyway the value in this post is to warn woman not everything is straight forward. PLEASE get checked if you’re experiencing any abnormalities as I’m fit and healthy and only know I have cancer because they looked for it. 

GET CHECKED REGULARLY

my letter stated 2024. Luckily I went to doctors. 

I have been told it’s been there a while.

full radical hysterectomy on March 10 th. 2023. I have been through hell waiting. Slightly better now treatment plan is in place. 

Hi,

I am sorry you are going through this and thank you for sharing your story. We both know how important it is to listen to your body, get checked out and keep those appointments. Some of us are scared, but I will say it again, knowing is so much better than worrying. It did help me to find out my treatment plan and just focus on getting through it. One day, one treatment, one result at a time.  You got this! Keep me posted on how you are doing.

Lauraxx

Morning. 
Is having hot flashes a lot at night normal. I get them through the day but mostly at night. I'm worried it's not right and connected with cancer ‍♀️

Hi,

I didn't have hot flashes (that I remember). It might just be normal, menopausal hot flashes (?). I do remember having cold, sweaty hands at night. I think it was just anxiety , honestly. Remember our bodies can do some pretty odd things when we are stressed. Get a notebook and write questions like this down and make sure to bring everything you are concerned about up at your next appointment. I found writing things down and talking to the doctor about it very helpful.

Laura xx

Hello,

sorry to jump on this thread but was hoping anyone could offer some advice.

I had a baby 13 weeks ago (via c-section). During the pregnancy I noticed slight brownish stains on my underwear. Only on peachy/pink ones and it looked 'normal' coloured on my grey and black ones. Midwife didn't seem concerned. I bled for 6 weeks after and have had a period since (all ok albeit a little heavier than before). Last week I noticed the slight brown stain again and so called the doctors to book smear (not had one in so long due to various reasons). I have been so worried, and been googling (I know that's bad, but we all do it right?) Well on Sunday I had slight darker brown discharge when I wiped and Monday morning it was light pink. I called and got in to see GP on Monday who did an internal exam. She said my cervix looked red and a fair bit of discharge. She also got the nurse to do my smear there and then (as was booked for 13th March). 
Should I be worried about what she found and the fact she rushed my smear? 
I feel totally panicked and sick and scared I won't see my baby grow up. Any advice would be much appreciated x

Hi Mama,

First, congratulations! Second, I don't think I'd be worried because they booked your smear so quickly. It'll be good for you to get it taken care of and move forward. My motto is "knowing is so much better than worrying". If it is something, you can get started on taking care of it, if it isn't, you can mark it off your list. The most important thing is to take control of your health and you're doing that! 
 

Please let me know how things go. ️

Laura xx

Hi Mama,

First, congratulations! Second, I don't think I'd be worried because they booked your smear so quickly. It'll be good for you to get it taken care of and move forward. My motto is "knowing is so much better than worrying". If it is something, you can get started on taking care of it, if it isn't, you can mark it off your list. The most important thing is to take control of your health and you're doing that! 
 

Please let me know how things go. ️

Laura xx

Thank you. Can I ask, did you have any pain at all? If so, what did it feel like and where was it? Still got agonising weeks to wait for results :-( x

Hi,

Yes, I had very sharp pains in my lower right abdomen. Similar to menstrual cramps, they came and went and were quite painful. I honestly don't know if they were caused by the cancer or regular cramps, though. I was starting menopause and everything was already out of whack for me. 

I know the waiting is very hard, just do your best to get through it. Maybe your doctor can give you  something for your nerves while you wait, I had to do that. 

Thinking of you!

Laura xx

Hi Laura,

Just thought I would update you. I had my smear results today and they are negative :-) I am so relieved and feel like a huge weight has been lifted. Thank you for your kind words and support as it really helped having someone to talk to. I hope you are well x

Hi,

I'm so glad you've had good news! Thank you for letting me know and good luck to you!

Laura xx

Hi, sorry to jump on this post but I have been constantly following this thread and I'm not getting any response to my own post, hoping anyone can help.

I am 47 and I am looking for anyone who has possibly been through the same situation as myself.

So last August I went for my scheduled smear and it came back 6 weeks later as insuffient cells annoyingly, however they did tell me I was high risk HPV positive and to go back in for another smear to obtain more cells.

I did this and the nurse promised me she would ensure she gathered enough cells this time and spent quite a bit of time making sure she did.

I then called my GP around 6 weeks later for the results and they advised me that yet again there was insuffient cells and I have been put on the waiting list for a colposcopy in which there is a 9 month waiting list.

Since then I have had only a couple of bouts of light spotting, I am on the mini pill and have not had a period in about 3 years so this was concerning.

I felt my cervix with my finger and can feel a rough spot on the left side.

I have also had very mild pain in my left hip and what feels like I've pulled a muscle in my pelvis which comes and goes also on the left side.

I am quite concerned and luckily my husband has private family healthcare through his work so have managed to book a colposcopy privately through them for May 12th.

I am wondering if anyone else has had a cervical cancer diagnosis after two insufficient smear tests in a row?

Hi Sue,

I'm sorry to hear you are going through these troubling issues. I can't answer your question about insufficient smear tests, unfortunately. The only thing I can share is that when we worry, our bodies can experience all kinds of aches, pains and twinges that get worse if we are hyper-focused on them. I'm glad you were able to book an appointment for May so you can get some answers. I would recommend making a list of your concerns and address them all at your appointment. I always find that to be helpful, even if you don't get immediate answers. Good luck and make sure to come back and tell me what you find out and how you are doing.

Laura xx

If you've had light spotting since your last smear it might be a good idea to mention this to your GP they might be able to speed up your appointment if not maybe if funds permit you could go private to get some answers quicker I think that's what I would do because the fear when waiting is not good for us ,I hope you get sorted quickly let us know how you get on .

Hi Laura

Thank you for your reply, I will let you know the outcome, can't come quick enough 

Hi Jenny

I did mention the spotting to my GP however she didn't seem very concerned about that, it's quite frustrating to be honest. 

It is but I don't think they'd mind if you got back in touch because you were still worried that's what they are there for don't feel like you can't bother them again they'd rather you did so if things change before your appointment let them know ,you know your own body x