Hello LouiseGH

I'm sorry to hear that you're dealing with an ongoing health concern at the moment. It's understandable that you're feeling anxious. 

It's good to know that you've already seen your GP and the tests to date haven't raised any immediate cause for concern. Hopefully, the most recent blood test and the possible scan that your GP has mentioned will give some information to help set you on the road to treating the cause of your symptoms. 

As you're feeling anxious and concerned about things I'd recommend getting back in touch with your GP and asking for some clarification. It might help you to write down any questions that you have so that you don't forget anything during the conversation. 

I do hope that things improve for you soon. 

Best wishes, 
Jenn
Cancer Chat moderator 

Hi Louise

Have you been referred to a gynaecologist? I would have thought that would be the most logical step if cervical cancer were suspected. And were you told what scan you would be having? Typically blood tests and ultrasounds are not used in the diagnosis of cervical cancer, so it may be that the doctor is “covering all bases” and making a start with general tests for gynaecological cancer rather than specifically cervical cancer. x

Hi Minska,

honestly the doctor seemed so uninterested, I got more information from the nurse who did my bloods than him! 
 

ive spoken to a couple of friends over the weekend and today I'm having a telephone appointment with my doctors surgery (not the one I saw last week) and I am asking to be referred to gynaecologist. I have a friend who has had stage 3 cervical and although she's told me not to worry, she believes With all my symptoms and being 37years old I should of been referred. My other friend who also works in a gynaecology department said the same. 
i also have another friend who was robbed off by our local doctors and she now has it confirmed! So I am pushing for it! 
 

im trying to be positive that it's nothing BUT I want my symptoms taking seriously! I've been seeing the doctors for 4 months and they have eliminated the obvious for my long term symptoms but now I've got even more symptoms I want to see a specialist on the matter! 
 

wish me luck, I think I will need it on this phone call today  
xx

Hi Louise

Yes, wishing you lots of luck for your appointment. A gp is not a specialist and women often get fobbed off. Your symptoms need to be properly investigated by a gynaecologist and you need a physical examination, not a smear, if there is a suspicion of cancer. Your friend has stage 3 cervical cancer, or CIN3, which is precancerous cells? Obviously there’s a huge difference in those. 

A phone call is no substitute for being seen, but it’s a first step and the gp needs to be the person who makes the referral. Your symptoms well well not be cancer, but they are nonetheless all symptoms that are reported with a cervical cancer diagnosis, so make sure you push for a referral. My go referred me on the two week pathway immediately, and didn’t fob me off, and I did have cancer. Not saying that you do, but you need to rule it out at the very least. Let us know how you get on. xx

She had stage 3, it was 4 years ago now and she beat it with treatment. 
 

yes I believe I should get referred so fingers crossed. What symptoms did you have? How are you doing on your journey? I really hope you are well  
 

Thank you so much for messaging. I've always been one that thinks doctors must be right so worry im fussing over nothing but then I just can't ignore the symptoms and just feel that something isn't right. 

Wow-your friend has done really well! I’ve even unlucky enough to have this cancer twice-Stage 2b at diagnosis and had chemo radiation and recurrence 9 months later for which I had massive surgery with the cancer successfully removed. So I’m very blessed to be well currently. I was post menopausal so bleeding was a red flag for me, but I also had a watery discharge, and pelvic and hip/leg pain. 

You are not fussing over nothing at all-you know something isn’t right and it does need to be investigated further. xx

Wow what a journey you've had but massive well done on where you've got to
 

Over the last 4 months I've never even thought of it being cancer but now I look back and I should of been asked lots of questions about symptoms as once I've started looking into it I've found I have so many of the symptoms! 
 

my last doctor before last just said possibly my coil and just sent me on my way but now I've pelvis/back and some random pains in legs plus pain during intercourse I'm not messing anymore! It's hard not to think about it as the dull ache and pains are constantly in my lower back and pelvis so it's hard to switch off isn't it! I think for my own sanity I just need the answers ASAP  

Xx

Absolutely agree with you! Constant pain is not normal, so I really hope you’ll be referred and get an answer and hopefully reassurance that it’s not anything serious. This cancer is sneaky, and serious, so if you have it you need a diagnosis and treatment. If you don’t get seen, your worry and anxiety will only increase. xx

So I had my call today with the doctor. 
 

He seems to think it's relating to my coil so he refused to refer me to gynaecologist. He said he will book a scan but didn't feel he has any urgency to it.

even though my symptoms are - on/off bleeding or bloody discharge throughout the month, contant pelvis and lower back pain, foul discharge (for months) pain during intercourse, constant fatigue! 
 

it's mental torture and I can't forget about it because always in pain. I've looked up about the coil and although I have a couple of symptoms, I have way more signs for cervical cancer! 
 

so annoyed that my doctors won't take me seriously also tried to get appointment go get coil out and have a waiting list had enough of constant pain!

bloods have come back normal so that's a good sign I know but still feel awful and like something isn't right!

where can I go from here?? 
Any advice ? Xx

Sorry, but Ithink this is outrageous. Cervical cancer is not diagnosed with blood tests or an ultrasound if that’s what he means by a scan. My blood test while having cancer had no issues. You NEED a physical examination as a first step. He is assuming it is the coil, and it might be, but equally it might not. I would try to see another doctor, complain to the practice manager in writing and if the pain gets really bad go to a&e. And I’d want a copy of all my medical notes to ensure that your symptoms have been correctly recorded and the fact that your request for a referral has been denied. You have a right to know why it has been denied since your symptoms COULD be consistent with a cancer diagnosis. Why am I not surprised your doctor is a man...can you try and see a  female doctor at your surgery for a second opinion? You are entitled to get a second opinion. All the ad campaigns tell us to watch for signs and symptoms and report them. You have done this, and the doctor is not listening. This is not right. xx