Hi everyone,

I thought I would write a post on here because reading the forums have helped me so much through a really anxious and horrible time.

I had my very first smear test last week. I am 25, and went to the very first smear appointment I could get my hands on. The smear itself was fine and did not hurt at all, and I would recommend that anyone age 25 gets booked in.

After the smear, the nurse told me that she had seen something unusual and brought the GP in to get a second opinion. The GP said that there were some abnormalities on my cervix and that he would have to do an urgent referral to the hospital on the cervical cancer pathway. I was obviously absolutely terrified and went away in tears. I did not expect it at all, having had absolutely no symptoms at all and I have had the HPV vaccine when I was 12. I was booked in to have my bloods taken the next morning. 

After a few days of waiting to hear, I decided I couldn't wait any longer and called my GP to get a private referral letter. I just wanted to see someone as soon as possible. My GP encouraged me to wait for the NHS appointment but I was too anxious and we went ahead with the private referral. He also told me that my bloods had come back and they were all fine. 
 

I managed to get an appointment for this morning (6 days after the initial smear test). I had a colposcopy, and within a few minutes of the examination the doctor confirmed that my cervix was fine and I did not have cancer. I burst into tears obviously. I've never been so relieved in my life. He advised me that the growth the GP had seen is a result of me taking the contraceptive pill back to back (which the nurse at the GP had told me it was fine to do). 
 

I just thought I would share this experience in case any young women are in the same boat, because I think reading this would help me. 
 

Ellie