Suspected Gynaecological Cancer

Hi there 

So I went to see the doc as I had some bleeding which lasted for a few days. I was told last year I was post menopause. I'm 53. I still had the coil in so an appt was booked to have the coil out and swabs were also taken. An ultra sound was booked for the following day. I didn't think too much of it but was shocked when I also had an internal scan. I was then told my uterus lining was 5.3mm and normal range is 4mm. The sonographer then told me I would need a fast track within 2 week appt to have an urgent procedure under anaesthetic to take samples from the womb. By this point I'm completely panic stricken. She said not to worry I'm just over the threshold and really didn't say too much. I was in a tizz and didnt ask the questions I shd have asked. My GP then calls me and says the sonographer shouldn't have said any of this and the 2 week appt is for a gynae specialist to contact me within 2 weeks to tell me whether I need further tests or not. And if I do need the procedure it's usually not under anaesthetic. I'm still panic stricken. Yesterday I received the referral letter which is quick given the 4 day bank holiday Easter weekend. Today I've checked on the nhs app and can see the 2 week triage appt for suspected gynaecological cancer. Even more panic stricken then ever. What a horrible process. The waiting for a phone call is really not nice. I'm praying for a good outcome. Just wish someone had explained the process to me a lot better. 

  • Hello Agcadmore

    I'm so sorry to hear about all that you've been through over the past few weeks. It's understandable that you're feeling anxious and worried about things! 

    Can I suggest you give our team of nurses a call? I'm sure they will be happy to talk things through with you and try and offer some advice, information, and support ahead of your appointment. If you think this is something that may help then they're available Monday to Friday 9 am to 5 pm on 0808 800 4040. 

    Keep in touch and let us know how you get on. 

    Best wishes, 
    Jenn
    Cancer Chat moderator 

  • Poor you, it sounds as if things have been really badly explained!

    The ultrasound is done to take a measurement of your lining and decide whether you should have further investigations.

    Basically the womb lining is measured in order to assess the risk of your post menopausal bleeding being cancer - below 4mm they've decided the risk is low enough for you not to have further investigations - above that they do further tests. There's a lot of dispute about where this threshold should be - the latest guidelines still say 4mm but state that the latest research shows that 5mm might be better. So while you are over the threshold it's only just and your chance of having cancer is around 1 - 2%.  

    The hysteroscopy procedure can be done with or without anaesthetic - I was one of those who found it pain-free but not everyone does. The people doing it were very nice and emphasised that if I did have pain it would be stopped and I'd be booked in for a GA. 

    It is a stressful process (I've been through it twice) but if there is any comfort a woman who gets measured below 4mm might still have cancer (although the risk is very low) whereas someone who is just over the threshold gets an extra test which will rule out cancer fairly definitively. 

    Hoping for the best for you and that you'll be among the 99% of women with your measurement that DON'T have cancer.