Hi Elbie,

I had this happen to me a few years ago now. I went from normal to CIN 3 in about a year. I had bleeding problems 12 months after a smear so was asked to go for another smear just to check. It was then that they said I had developed abnormal cells. I was booked in for a colposcopy and had some of my cervix removed. It sometimes just happens. That is why they say to go to the dr's if you have any problems. I  had follow up smears every 12 months for about 3 years and now I am back to having smears every 3 years. Totally fine now and never had another abnormal smear since. This was about 16 years ago. Hope everything goes ok. X 

Hi Elbie, 

I don't have any answers to your question but I am in a similar situation. I had 2 normal smears before and I had a smear at the end of April ... expecting it to be normal as 3 years ago it was and I have had no symptoms of anything abnormal. Nearly 9 weeks later (due to covid they say) I recieved my results on Saturday and it said severe / high grade. I went for a coloscopy on Thursday and the consultant thought it was either grade 2 or 3 and gave me the option of treatment there and then or a biopsy. She said if it was grade 2 she's possibly over treating it but if it was grade 3 I would have to go back. I went for the treatment - lletz. I was in and out under and hour and I found the colposcopy and the lletz fine and used relaxation and breathing techniques which helped. 
 

I am waiting my biopsy results now to see what grade it is and if it is all removed (they measure the margins on the healthy cells to the pre cancerous cells to check they have it all). She said to me it's extremely low risk it's cancer and the results take up to 6 weeks. Slightly anxious wait now. I'm just so greatful this was picked up. 

I too am really shocked how it went from totally normal to possibly grade 3 in 3 years.
 

i hope all goes well at your colposcopy xxx 

Hi everyone

Just looking for advice. I'm 51 years old and while I was having my smear test today the nurse saw a polyp (it burst and it bled when she did the smear). She then asked a doctor to come in and check my cervix who confirmed, along with the nurse, that she could see abnormalities on my cervix. They played everything very close to their chest which made me worry more but I understand they can't say because they really don't know either. 
 

I have went to all my smear test appointments. The last one was in 2017 and everything was ok. In 2009 I did have a biopsy taken because there was abnormal cells but again everything was ok. I have no symptoms but I do know that you don't always display symptoms and now I'm thinking it's approx 12 years since abnormal cells were detected so it now developed into cancer. There is a part of me that is pleased I went today and they found it but I'm also now so scared. 
 

My mind is totally racing and I'm trying to think rationally as my smear results from 2009 have been ok but then I'm thinking they've missed something and it's in an advanced stage!  
 

I've been scheduled to have a colposcopy in the next 2 weeks but I'm so worried and can't stop thinking about it. Any thoughts would be much appreciated. Thanks. 

Thanks Sarah that is really helpful xx

Hi wonderwumin

If I had a quid for every time I see people thinking they have advanced cervical cancer when they have abnormalities, I’d be a rich woman! There’s no way of knowing what is wrong until the colposcopy, but don’t try and read too much into how the staff were at your smear. They don’t know what it is at this point-don’t assume it’s something awful. 

Your smears have been ok up till now which is a really positive thing. Cervical cancer is normally slow growing and smears pick up early changes before things become cancer. I’ve had advanced cervical cancer...I cannot imagine you would have this and not know about it! Seriously, you do not normally have advanced cancer without knowing it’s there!  Hopefully the colposcopy will be able to put your mind at rest-and if you have abnormal cells they can be treated and removed. Even cancer can be effectively treated. I hope you get the best possible results, and let us know how you get on. 

Thanks Minska! Really difficult not to think the worst but cheers for taking the time to reply. Your right, I need to wait and see what the colposcopy shows and take it from there. I'll let you know how I get on. Thanks again, take care.