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HPV and colposcopy

Invgirl
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Hi there,

I had my first smear test last year (aged 25) and was shocked when my result came through of high risk HPV positive but with no cell changes. I’d had all 3 HPV vaccines at school so naively thought I’d be ok! I was invited back for a 2nd smear this year and have waited 12 weeks for the results- still not got them officially yet! However I got a call from the hospital booking team last week explaining my results means I have to get a colposcopy and they’ve given me a cancellation next week.

I am extremely anxious about my health and now convinced myself I have cancer! I’m assuming the fact I’ve been referred for a colposcopy means I have had abnormal changes? It is worrying me that I haven’t received my results through the post yet like you normally do, although the booking office explained they receive results quicker than the patient does so they can book in quickly. I’ve not got any symptoms thankfully of cervical cancer but I know many people are asymptomatic. Has anyone been in a similar boat? Looking for any advice or reassurance! I’m desperate to have children and have convinced myself I’ll need treatment that will result in infertility! 

Also, how is the colposcopy procedure? I’ve had a Mirena coil put in… is it similar to that?!

Any help much appreciated!

  • Offline

    Hi is it a Colposcopy or Colonoscopy you're having ????

  • Offline in reply to Jenny3109

    Colposcopy sorry! Keep getting them confused 

  • Offline in reply to Invgirl

    Hi yes I thought that was the one ,I've had a Colonoscopy but not a Colposcopy so I can't comment on that but plenty have experience of having a Colposcopy on here so I'm sure someone will give their best advice as soon as they see your post ,you can also ask the nurses Monday -Friday on here .

  • Offline in reply to Invgirl

    No worries easily done, they sound so similar! I have now changed the title of your post and the text in your post so that it now reads 'colposcopy' and not 'colonoscopy'. 

  • Hello Invgirl

    I'm sorry to hear that you're feeling so anxious ahead of your colposcopy appointment later this week. It's probably not helped your anxiety that you've been given this appointment without knowing what your results are. Hopefully the team will be able to give you some reassurance when you see them at the appointment. 

    Every year many women attend colposcopy appointments and we got lots of posts asking about the procedure and what this may mean for them. I'd reccomend that you have a look at this information on the Jo's Trust website about the coloposcopy procudere. It should give you some answers  and informtion that might be helpful. 

    You might also find it helpful to give our team of nurses a call and chat things through with them. They may be able to give you some reassurance. If you'd like to talk things through with them they're available Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm on 0808 800 4040. 

    I hope things go smoothly for you later this week. Keep in touch and let us know how you get on. 

    Best wishes, 
    Jenn
    Cancer Chat moderator 

  • Offline

    Hi, sorry to hear you are so anxious. 
    I was age 23 not old enough for a smear however I was 8 weeks pregnant with my daughter and after a check up for a water infection got referred within 24 hours to Colposcopy clinic for an “abnormal looking cervix” as the doctor had seen. They took the HPV swab and it came back k positive, I was convinced I had cancer. However after having a biopsy it came back as CIN 2 so I needed LLETZ treatment to remove the pre cancerous cells. This had to wait until 6 weeks after my daughter was born and as you can imagine I was anxious through out my pregnancy it would develop further however after she was born I had the LLETZ procedure and all the cells removed and later tested Negative for HPV. 

    it is very worrying however there are a lot of women that have the same and it is easily monitored or treated if needed, try not to worry so much. Cervical cancer is a slow growing cancer hence the reason for smear test every 3 years x

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