Worries about cancer

Hi. I went to my GP back in May due to a lot of vulva itching , I was tested for sti, std, thrush, given lots of different creams etc to try, everything came back fine, creams did absolutely nothing to help the itch.

Fast forward to now (September) the GP referred me to gynaecology, where I was supposed to have a vulval biopsy (gynae told GP they would do one) He didn't do the biopsy as he said he couldn't see visually any abnormal area to take it from, the skin around the vulva is thickened, I have a lot more discharge than is normal for me, and also my last two periods have been abnormally heavy, and over a week late both times than is normal for me(I've been tracking them over 3 years on an app and I've been regular) I have a lot of groin pain(to the point it's painful to walk) lower back pain, pelvic pain, this constant vulva itch morning and night 24/7. The gynae could not do a speculum as it was far too painful for me. He is sending for me for a colposcopy (possibly under general anesthesia) and a vulvoscopy. He never said how long I would wait for my appointments, but its been a week and a half since seeing him now. Also sex with my husband is near impossible, very painful and the odd time we have managed to succeed there's been a lot of pain and bleeding. My GP originally sent me for suspected vulva cancer, but the gynae said he is thinking more that its something to do with the cervix.

I'm just wondering how long is necessary to wait for my appointments?,  as my symptoms are changing daily. I am also very exhausted and drained, no energy at all

  • Hi

    Im sorry you're having so many painful symptoms. I'd like to think that the gynae Dr referred you on the 2ww pathway so after 2 weeks,  if you've heard nothing, I'd start ringing to see what's happening with your appointment. 

    Xx

  • Hi.

    Thank you for replying. That is my hope, too, that he has used the 2ww pathway. I've just been reading about your diagnosis,  so sorry to hear this. Hope you're feeling slightly better. Can I ask what your symptoms were? Xx

  • Hi

    Of course you can ask. I noticed that I was itching A LOT "down there". When I looked I noticed that I had several patches of red, ulcerated skin on my vulva. Sometimes they would bleed and the skin would tear....it was painful but I would probably say that the itching was worse. It made me want to tear my skin off :angry: 

    When I had the biopsies most of it was VIN 3 but there was an area that was really broken and ulcerated that was cancer. I've just finished radiotherapy and chemo so I'm still getting some of the side effects from them but apart from that I'm okay. I'm hoping to go back to work in a couple of weeks and have a bit of normality in life.

    Xx

  • Hi. Yeah I agree with the itching, I feel like tearing it off. I actually itch that much, I make myself bleed then it hurts to wee. It is so uncomfortable and if I try to ignore it, it actually hurts. I have to keep going to the toilet at work to itch it. I have quite a few spots which look like they are full of blood, not sure if they are ulcers. The gynae though it was more a cervical issue than vulva. My concern is if it is cervical cancer has it spread to the vulva and groin. I have waited a long time in the first instance as the GP kept trying creams, and antihistamines.

    Fingers crossed you can get back to some sort of normal, and hope you don't have any lasting side effects off your treatment xx

  • I had to keep going to the toilet at work or if I was out and about as well to try and stop the itching! Did you have the spots when you saw the gynae Dr? I hope you get an appointment through soon. Xxx

  • It is such an annoying thing to have happen and embarrassing as well always fidgeting when visiting family and going back and forth to the loo.  Yeah I had them, he asked what they were and if I shaved! I said they are new and I don't shave, even if I wanted to I couldn't because of the pain! 

    Fingers crossed it doesn't take too long. I will keep you updated thank you xx