Hi all,
Firstly, I do not have a diagnosis of cervical cancer. Instead I am just looking for some truthful answers to put my mind at rest a little or to educate me. I am 26 years old.
I have recently contacted my doctor due to feeling unwell for a long period of time. My periods have always been extremely irregular and at times I have not had one for 6 months. However, recently I have been having periods which are extremely frequent and long. I have recently had a period which lasted around 4 and a half months which is not normal for myself.
I left this for quite a while and was noticing spotting in between my periods also. I have also experienced different types of discharge some yellow and others a dark brown, this has an unpleasant smell.
The reason for going to my GP was due to not only my extremely long period but also that I noticed I had a constant dull ache in my lower back and the top of my legs, I wouldn’t describe this as a pain but more like a noticeable ache which becomes worse if I’m laying down. Recently I have felt extremely tired and suddenly feel sick but it then disappears, at times I find myself sweating throughout the night.
I have recently had my first cervical examination and smear test and was told the doctor could see a polyp on my cervix and was questioning wether to refer me to the gynaecologist or for a colposcopy I can’t remember her decision as I was flustered. I began bleeding again after the exam and informed my doctor I had developed what appeared to be a wart on the outside of my anus. Sorry for to much information.
I have not been on any contraception for 4 years and all my other tests came back negative such as bloods and hormones. Is it possible this could all be effects of cervical polyps or could this be cervical cancer ?
Im now awaiting my results for my smear test and to know what comes next, my family feel I’m being paranoid which I probably am! I just feel their is a lot going on and that I haven’t felt ‘normal’ for quite some time.
I appreciate any replies.
Hi Jodie and welcome to the group.
Gosh...you’ve got quite a lot going on, so I can understand your concerns. Unexplained bleeding or bleeding which is not normal for you can be a symptom of cervical cancer, but can also be explained by other things. Likewise an unusual discharge can be a symptom but could also be something else.
A wart near your anus is not a symptom-the high risk strains of the HPV virus which cause almost all cervical cancers are not the same strains (low risk) which cause genital warts.
Blood tests are not used to diagnose cervical cancer, and cervical cancer is not hormone driven, but it’s good you have had clear results on these tests.
A cervical polyp is not cervical cancer but I hope that your doctor has referred you to a gynaecologist to have a more detailed examination from an expert. It can cause bleeding.
The smear test is not a diagnostic test for cervical cancer, but is a screening for abnormal cells, where the HPV virus may have caused changes to cells-again not cancer. But the results of the smear test will determine what happens next, which would normally be a colposcopy where the cervix is examined under a microscope and stained with a liquid which would identify any areas of abnormality. Depending on the level of abnormality, if there is any, the treatment might be returning for a further smear in 12 months for borderline changes, or removing the cells in a procedure called a lletz, which is done in clinic and does not take long for any more severe changes. At the colposcopy it’s possible for small biopsies to be taken which would be sent for analysis to ensure there is no cancer present.
A polyp would be removed in a small operation as a day case in hospital, where you would be put under a general anaesthetic for a short time, and be able to leave the same day.
It’s really impossible for anyone to say what is going on for you at this point-you need the smear test results for the next steps to be decided, and it’s really too soon to become worried that you have cervical cancer. Only a biopsy would be able to diagnose cancer.
I hope this information has helped a little, but if you have any other questions, please feel free to ask. Nothing is too much information when you’re dealing with this! xx
