Hello. I'm a 30 year old female. Non smoker, not overweight, generally healthy lifestyle but do enjoy drinking socially. I've been taking the contraceptive pill consistently since I was 19. History of cancer in my family: my maternal grandmother died of breast cancer in her 50s, maternal grandfather of colon cancer in his 70s and my own mother passed away just a few years ago aged 55 - pancreatic cancer.
Last August I had my routine cervical screening. This was my second one in 12 months. A year ago my test came back positive for HPV so I was tested again this year.
During my test I bled a lot. It was like a period and I wore a pad for a few days afterwords. The doctor said my cervix was inflamed. She put urgent for test result to be returned ASAP and also asked me to come back for an STD test. I did the STD test and it was negative.
Despite the Dr's 'urgent' note it was still 3 weeks later when I got the results from the cervical check - positive for HPV again so I was referred to a colposcopy clinic. I got a letter that dated my test for the 21st of November. This seemed too far away so I tried to get in earlier - I was told they don't do cancellations and it is standard to wait 3 months. This is all done through Cervical Check programme in Ireland.
Meanwhile my GP referred me to a gynaecologist. Even though this is in a private hospital, as I have insurance, the earliest he can see me is beginning of December. I googled the name of the gynaecologist she referred me to and he specialises in oncology.
I feel mild cramping, like very faint period pains, most of the time. From time to time I get a sharp pain- lower right of my abdomen and twice in what felt like my vagina. These pains are so quick and infrequent that I've started to think I'm imagining it! I haven't felt any pain so great I had to take pain relief. I'm also quite tired and notice I get out of breath very quickly. However I was putting all this to the back of mind - thinking I'm possibly paranoid, or feeling things that aren't there, or just more acutely attuned to that part of my body because of anxiety. I kept reassuring myself that I don't have any irregular bleeding (apart from after the test) and I don't bleed after intercourse. BUT just this evening I went to the bathroom and my underwear was stained - a dark blood, like that at the end of my period, and it smells foul.
I'm very worried!! I don't know who to talk to. I don't want to worry my family if not needed, especially given our family's cancer history and recent death of my mother. I also feel it's very much a 'women's problem' and without sisters or a mother to turn to, I don't know who to chat with. My boyfriend is in the loop but he is out of the country right now and I don't want to bother him while he's away. I would just appreciate some guidance, advice, a listening ear.......should I push to be seen sooner? If this is cancer, how time sensitive is it? Do my symptoms speak of a certain stage? Could this all be attributed to something that isn't cancer? Anything at all you can tell or reassure me would be so helpful. Thank you.
