Hi [@KBD]‍ 

I'm do sorry to hear about your abnormal smear and how anxious you are. 

I'm 33, and I had an abnormal smear result on my first smear when I was 25 too (although I hadn't had the vaccine as it wasn't around when I was 16!). 
 

 it took along time to get the results and get treatment (over 4 months). During the appointment at the hospital they removed the abnormal cells from my cervix, and also took a biopsy as they thought it looked bad and wanted to discuss with other doctors. As I'm sure you can imagine I freaked out at that point and was certain I had cancer. Unfortunately I didn't get my all clear for another 3 months after that, however I did get the all clear. 

8 years on all my smear tests since have been normal, including extra ones following the abnormal smear when I was 25. 
 

don't worry about the colopscopy- it's quick and relatively painless. If you're  squirmish like me don't look on the screen!  You might also be a bit sore after, I remember sneezing and laughing hurt a bit.

I think abnormal smears are quite common, it's just not discussed very often. My sister also had an abnormal smear and was treated and hasn't had any further abnormal cells for 5 years.

Take care and wishing you the best with your appointment :-)

note- only just noticed that KBD's post was from 2018. But I hope my story can help put others at ease who have had an abnormal smear.

Hi All,

Not really sure if I'm in the right place, so please bare with.

backstory : I am 34 went for me first smear in May. Just had results. HPV positive and some " abnormal cells".

Letter states I will be sent outpatient appt, however my mind is now in over drive.

I have for the first time ever resisted googling and been reading your stories instead ( thank you all )

I guess I'm just here for honesty and support.

p.s reason for late Cervical screening is due to anxiety at the thought of having it ( guess who has learnt a huge lesson) :-( 

Oh [@Mommag86]‍, don't blame yourself. The most important thing is that you had a smear and now you're going to get sorted.

also 1) most likely you will just  have abnormal cells which can be painlessly removed (like mine were and with no abnormal cells since) and 2) you don't know how long you've had these cells, they may not have been picked up in earlier smears anyway.

I know it's easier said than done (and I proper freaked out when I got my abnormal smear back 8 years ago), but try to relax and not think about it.  Remember There is no cancer until a diagnosis.
 

take care x

Thank you so much for your warm, kind words!

it is certainly a lesson learnt and I will never let anxiety stop me going for future screenings.

I just hope the refferal appointment comes through soon because I am not good with waiting.

thank you so much! 
I am doing all I can to remain positive x

I feel I am quite late to the chat, but I am so grateful for others sharing their experiences. Personally I do not know many people who have had to have a colposcopy, they just tell me they have had the smear and theirs was negative.

Back in February 2021 I was called in for my first smear test aged 24. Personally I am always more anxious about results rather than the actual procedure. I finally got my results for the smear test after 10 weeks which said I was HPV positive and had borderline abnormal changes. This made me extremely anxious, especially as none of the female relatives in my family (or extended family) had been referred for a colposcopy. 

After 4 weeks of not receiving my referral letter (delays presumably due to COVID-19), I constantly rang my GP, the colposcopy department at my local hospital and the analysis lab itself (who could not tell me anything). It turns out there was a miscommunication between the lab (where they analyse the samples) and the hospital where they perform the colposcopy, so it was a goo job I chased it up. After another two weeks they sent me a referral letter for my appointment, with another 6 weeks to wait. I am just so relieved it is booked

I am glad so many people are talking about having a colposcopy on here because it is very reassuring. The worst thing for me (and probably a lot of others) is waiting on results or waiting for appointments, it is extremely stressful and I honestly haven't slept well since getting my smear test results all those weeks ago

I was also told by one person who has a colposcopy after having "low dyskaryosis" and went for a coposcopy who ended up being fine, which is great. But she basically said that I didn't have a right to be anxious because hers was worse than mine. Personally, I think everyone has a right to feel anxious about anything they are going through, as everyone copes with things differently. That is why I have found this chat listening to experiences so reassuring.

But I agree, positive smear test results aren't openly talked about enough, and it needs to be so that people don't think the worst all the time (I know I do)

Hi,

I had my smear results after 5 weeks and was Hpv positive with low grade changes. I’ve been for my colposcopy today which I was extremely anxious about. I haven’t slept well since all this started and wasnt dealing with it at all well. It was quite a quick procedure and I was so happy as my cells were back I normal with no biopsy or treatment needed. The staff were so lovely and really made me feel relaxed. I hope yours comes around quick x

Hi,

I'm 25 and have just recieved my smear results after two months. I have tested positive for HPV and have borderline cell changes. Obviously I'm very worried so any advice would be appreciated please :) 

Have they referred you to colposcopy ?

I went today and it was like a smear but a closer look at the cervix. I myself can only speak for myself and I didn’t feel any pain. I didn’t need any treatment as luckily the consultant said everything looked normal. I have to have a follow up smear in a years time. 

Any questions feel free to ask 

Hi,

Yes they have. Just worried and Google definitely hasn't helped!

Glad yours went well.

Thanks x