Hi, I hope this is ok to post here.
I recently had a abnormal smear, with HPV positive and borderline cell changes. My last smear (3 years ago was normal). My dr has referred me to have a colposcopy but not urgently. I’ve also had a bit of bleeding and pain at times.
I’m worried that the lack of urgency will mean it’s too late?
My mum is currently going to Brest cancer treatment, so my anxious levels are very high! I’m hoping someone might have any advice either on how to not worry or what the results and bleeding could mean.
many thanks
Hi and welcome to the group.
Yes, of course it’s fine for you to post here, but as most of the ladies in the group have gone through cancer, there may not be so many replies relating to your particular situation.
Hpv can cause abnormal cervical cell changes, which are not cancer, and I hope it’s been explained to you that borderline changes are the very slightest level of these changes. These type of changes can regress on their own, and I would imagine that this is the reason you won’t have been referred urgently for a colposcopy. There seems to be currently quite a backlog in moving forward with colposcopies from what I’ve read, so the ladies who have severe changes would be prioritised.
If there was a sense of urgency you would be seen more quickly, so I wouldn’t be anxious about this. When you say you’re concerned it might be too late, does that mean you are worried it could be cancer? Again, if this were suspected you would be seen more urgently.
There are many explanations for bleeding and pain which are much less serious than cancer, but as we are all just cancer patients here we don’t have the medical knowledge to give opinions on what could be causing this. Did you mention this when you had your smear test? The reason I ask is that a smear test is not a diagnostic test for cancer, and any unusual symptoms which bother you should be reported to your doctor.
I appreciate that your anxiety levels will be high because of your mum’s situation, but I would not personally spend time worrying about borderline cell changes. Try to reduce your anxiety by concentrating on other things, and not obsessing about this. It’s a very common result from a smear test, and you may even find that when you have the colposcopy there is nothing found. If you are going to have a long wait for the appointment, it’s not worth worrying all the time about this.
Also, in a group like this you are going to find ladies who have gone through or are going through treatment for cancer of varying stages, and sometimes radical surgery. You need to remember that this is not your reality, so please don’t let that increase your anxiety.
You are of course welcome to be in the group and post about your worries, but I would advise you not to let it take over all your thoughts.
Sarah xx
Hi Rachel
That’s lovely that you are willing to help others going through cancer. There is a group you might also wish to join in addition to this one and if you click this link it will take you there-
Normally there are no symptoms with borderline cell changes, so it would be surprising if these results were causing this, but of course everyone is unique, so it’s really impossible to say. I wanted to try and reassure you that this is a very minor abnormality because you said how anxious you are about it. I’ve seen many women over the years focus on cancer and sometimes self diagnose themselves when the actual problem is much less serious, so I didn’t want you to be more fearful with some of the stories you might read here.
I hope your mum is coping well with her treatment-it’s very difficult to watch a loved one go through this and I think it tends to make us hyper aware of our own health and any potential issues. You are welcome of course to be in this group and post whenever you’d like to. Any kind abnormal result is bound to cause worry.
Sarah xx
