Cervical cancer diagnosis

Hi everyone. I'm 32 and was told I have cervical cancer yesterday.
 

My smear was in April and they found HPV so wanted to bring me back in a few months for a biopsy. They took them 2 weeks ago and I had an urgent LOOP procedure last week under general anaesthetic - both came back as cancer. 
 

I'm waiting for an MRI and CT scan to find out what stage I am. I'm so worried. I have 2 young children and I'm thinking the worst  

  • Hi Beth,

    sorry to hear your news. I'm the same age, also with 2 children, I was diagnosed with stage 1a1 cancer recently. This morning was my first meeting with the oncologist. They think they got all my cancer at my first LLETZ (which I had for high grade cell changes and the biopsy discovered cancer) but I'm having another one soon under GA so they can check. I also have remaining CIN3 that needs to be removed. 

    I will be honest, the waiting absolutely sucks. All sorts of things go through your mind. The children are a saving grace as they keep us busy! However there is SO much they can do for people now. Mine is so early stage that I feel bad even calling it cancer. I hope yours turns out to be minor and is easily sorted out. I feel like I will finally sleep tonight after speaking to the oncologist todsy, but I have been waiting 3 weeks for this appointment. Do you have dates yet for your scans? 

    take care xxx

  • Hi Ashlinglydia, thanks for replying. It's awful but also comforting to know I'm not alone in it... I hope they got all yours the first time, that's good that they're checking. Because it's only been since April they're hoping they've got it early. I've been told today that my MRI is on Monday so things are moving quickly, thankfully :happy: 

    It's great that you've got a plan in place - what did your oncologist say today? Xx

  • That's great your MRI is soon. Lessens the waiting times a bit! I knew I had the cancer but was waiting to see the oncologist to find out what the treatment will be. Now I've seen him I feel much better. Will be having another LLETZ and then due to another medical condition I have I am high risk for more bad cells so they are recommending a hysterectomy next year. Either quickly depending on second LLETZ results, or in 6 months if LLETZ biopsy is clear. For me it's the unknown all of the time so I feel like I can finally rest knowing what's happening, I just need to wait on my surgery date. Annoyingly I've missed a call from the hospital today so kicking myself in case that was th calling with the date and I've missed them. 

    Stay positive, it won't be long till your staging and then you will have a plan. Keep busy to try and keep your mind off it. I was religiously stalking on this forum and Jo's trust website and reading other people's stories helped me so much (but I know it's not for everyone!) for me, knowledge is power!

    Have they given any indication at all about the stage or what they've found? 

  • I'm exactly the same - I need stories and facts and knowledge to settle my mind racing a bit, or I'll fill in the blanks myself and that's way worse! 

    Oh that's fantastic news that they've got a plan and you'll be sorted :happy: you're right, the unknown is way worse. 

    The guy who told me said he thought they'd caught it early and it was unlikely to be stage 3 or 4. So I'm going with stage 2 at the most. He's mentioned a hysterectomy so I think that's the way it's going to go. I'd rather they just whipped it out all out and it was over and done with

     

     

  • That's really positive! They wouldn't tell you they caught it early unless it really was so fingers crossed it's all contained. I feel the same with a hysterectomy, I have two kids now so I can cope with it. I feel so awful for anyone who hasn't had children that's facing that decision. 

    Jo's trust website is especially for cervical cancer and so much useful information on there. 

  • We're lucky to have had our children already, really. Thank you, that's really made me feel better! I hope it is. I was a bit worried that they'd sugarcoat it. When do you have your next LLETZ? 

  • No date yet, waiting to hear. Funnily enough I don't mind that waiting! 

  • Hi Beth,

    Sorry to hear what you are going through right now. I am 8 years post stage 2A cervical cancer. If you have any questions I might be able to answer based on my experirences, please feel free to ask. Same to [@Ashlinglydia]‍ .

    Laura xx