Cancer Research UK main site

Hello advice/support re suspected cervical cancer

Kay86
Offline

Good morning everyone,

I'm 34, My last smear was 2015 unfortunately, ive always attended my smears and always went with others who felt nervous always been a big advocate for smears.

I got my letter feb last year saying I'm due, so I booked in, unfortunately first lockdown happened. And my smear got cancelled, as soon as things were been lifted I rang my gp surgery to rebook to be told. Smears isn't a priority and they'll contact me when they're redoing them. Still heard nothing.

 

over the past year I've attended with a few things wrong with me. Struggling with how tired I am, they said it was my iron (bloods were borderline/normal) I requested they did them again as it just didn't feel right. I have swelling and pain in my lower legs (they pit) they had no idea what caused it and give me water tablets nothing changed kind of give up trying to find answers with that.

Then the bleeding started happened was just here and there mainly after sex, then between periods with no sex, just over a week ago I emailed my gp (she is head of the surgery) explaining what's happening as I'm bleeding 6/7 days a week (at this point I hadn't even googled) I was just abit fed up of the bleeding and was hoping they'd give me something to stop the bleeding. She called me and give me a appointment to go and see her. She wanted to have a look. She looked and did a smear at the point I wasn't bleeding she explained she barely touched and the bleeding started again. She never once said not to worry or it will be ok. 
she said it's very likely I have cervical cancer, she has referred me to see a specialist and get more tests done. She also said they'll need to remove part of my cervix. When I spoke to my mum she said the gp couldn't say that as she wouldn't even be able to see if I had cervical cancer. 
im just abit all over. Gp also stated I shouldn't of been put on 5 year smears and they should of contacted me sooner. And everything I've been to them recently is all link  

Im not overly sure what I'm looking for posting here but Thankyou for reading x

  • Offline

    Hi Kay

    I have to say I agree with your mum-your gp should not have said this as there are reasons other than cancer for bleeding. And she cannot say at this point that you will require to have part of your cervix removed. Quite honestly she is scaremongering where it’s not necessary. The whole point of being referred to a gynaecologist is for a specialist to examine you and make an assessment. The gp is not a specialist and it’s really not her place to make a potential diagnosis for you. That’s the gynaecologist’s  job! I hope you don’t have to wait long for your referral and that it can put your mind at rest. I’ve had cervical cancer twice, and first time round both my gp and the gynaecologist could see an actual mass, but neither of them mentioned the word cancer until biopsy results came back. That’s how it should be. If you do need any help or support, please do reach out and I’ll be happy to help if I can. x

     

  • Offline in reply to Minska

    Thankyou so much for your reply, I really appreciate it. I honestly  didn't even think of it been a possibility until she floored me with it. She did rule out some other things quickly, I've been waiting a week so far so stalking my postman she said the normal two week wait is taking around 6 weeks at the minute. Just feel so alone and scared of all the possibilities xx

  • Offline in reply to Kay86

    I just find it so wrong that a gp can throw out comments without knowing for certain what it is that’s wrong. It just scares people, like it has for you. I much preferred to be left in ignorance until my biopsy was back and it was certain that I had cancer. Did she mention cervical ectropion can you remember? That can cause bleeding on contact quite easily. I’m around on here regularly and am happy to chat if you’d like. I don’t like thinking of anyone being alone and scared and having to wait such a long time. xx

  • Offline in reply to Minska

    I have two disabled children I never Google I've learnt from it, which was why it never crossed my mind, she never mentioned it, just all the problems I've had over the past year or so are all linked, I'd of rather her of said we'll send you for testing not give me the information she did. I'm so sorry you've been through this. Did you have any symptoms? I know they say most people don't have symptoms. Thankyou so much for your kind offer ️

  • Offline in reply to Kay86

    I am a bit different in that I was post menopausal when I started to have bleeding. That’s an immediate red flag so I was seen quickly by the gp, and referred and seen in 3 weeks. You mentioned Issues with your lower legs. In all the discussions I’ve had with women who have cervical cancer-literally hundreds over the last 3 years-I have never seen anyone mention this as a symptom. Tiredness, yes, hip and back pain...but these can also be symptoms of many other things and not only cervical cancer. It’s a bit presumptuous again of the gp to link all your symptoms into one diagnosis. 

    I’m glad you don’t google-I never did either. It would have had me dead and buried years ago I think! 

    Some women have abnormal cervical cells and report lots of symptoms, and some have cancer and no symptoms. We are all unique and one size definitely doesn’t fit all! My cancer had obviously been growing for a while, which is why I had the particular symptoms I did, but it’s not the same for everyone. And I always say to ladies “it’s not cancer until a biopsy tells you it is”. I tend to have a very positive mindset about all this, and I’m certain that’s helped get me through. xx

  • Offline in reply to Minska

    You're so right! It's not till I'm told It is! 

    Totally understand that, my periods have been like clockwork, they are still (I think) apart from having my 3rd child 5 years ago, periods are now so heavy, (I use a cup) within a hour I've bled around 45ml, and it's like that for 6 days, then the bleeding between, I'm in a same sex relationship been with my partner 12 years. Hip and back pain, woke up this morning no bleeding and it's back. I just want the bleeding to stop, I'm not even sure if the drs will prescribe me something to stop the bleeding.  But not sure I want to go to my gp again now

  • Offline in reply to Kay86

    You can be prescribed something to stop the bleeding, but you should still see a gynae.Personally I would not want to see that gp again. Is there perhaps someone else at the practice you could see? xx

Speak to a nurse

Quick links

Follow us

Registered with Fundraising Regulator (logo)
Cancer Research UK is a registered charity in England and Wales (1089464), Scotland (SC041666), the Isle of Man (1103) and Jersey (247). A company limited by guarantee. Registered company in England and Wales (4325234) and the Isle of Man (5713F). Registered address: 2 Redman Place, London, E20 1JQ.