Hello

I am 34 and in 2020 I had an HPV+ smear, CIN 3 and LLETZ procedure, subsequent smear 6m later was clear of HPV and the nurse who did the smear didn’t mention anything unusual about my cervix at the time. Never had abnormal cells on a smear before then, don’t know about HPV as it wasn’t tested before but I haven’t had the vaccine (too old).

Last week I had my scheduled smear test after 3 years and during the examination the nurse said there was what she thought was a polyp on my cervix. She called in the GP to look at it and he said my cervical canal was inflamed with an inflamed lump on my cervix which was non-mobile and not typical of a polyp. He said it could be scarring from the previous procedure, or possibly CIN or early stage cervical cancer and the way the nurse and doctor were acting after my smear seemed off and obviously has me even more worried. I was referred to gynaecology on 2ww and have my appt the week after next, this is not with the colposcopist as my previous appointment, it is with a consultant gynaecology oncologist.

I don’t have my smear test results back yet, I’m presuming the hospital will know the results by the time it gets to my appointment but I am really worried. 

I know it could be nothing and the referral is it just to be cautious, I just have a few questions which hopefully others who’ve had similar experiences can answer, as this process is very different to my last referral.

1) I know LLETZ can be done at the same time as a normal colposcopy appointment as this is what i had before, however as this new appt is with a doctor not the nurse/colposcopist is it likely that (if I need cells removing) this will be done same day or will I need a follow up appointment?

2) if I needed more invasive treatment eg cone biopsy, how long does this take to arrange? Ballpark figure obv all hospitals are diff —- I had a referral for a severely abnormal mole and that took 7 months between initial biopsy and further surgery so reaaaally don’t want to wait that long again.

3) how soon do biopsy results take? 

4) how many times can you have LLETZ before your cervix stops working properly? I have no kids yet and know the procedure can cause issues with premature birth etc. 

Of course will ask Dr these Qs on the appointment as well.

Thanks