Hello all,
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. My sister recently went for a smear test and was told that she had abnormal cells. She had a colposcopy around 4 weeks ago and was told that all being well, she only need to come back in 6 months for another smear test. Last week she received a letter from the hospital with an appointment with a consultant gynaecologist for Monday.
My sister feels like it’s got to be bad news as she was specifically told that they wouldn’t need to see her for another 6 months. She has been having hip pain for the last two years, had very irregular periods and had been diagnosed with peri menopause along with some other symptoms.
Can I ask what your first symptoms were? Do you think that is the reason for the appointment?
we lost our mum to cancer when she was young so we are both quite worried.
Hi Beatrice Baty and welcome to the group.
I can appreciate that you are worried, but I’m afraid that none of us would be able to speculate on the reason for your sister’s appointment, so we would not be able to say that this would indicate a cancer diagnosis.
Abnormal cells do need investigation, which is why the colposcopy is done, but abnormal cells are not cancer. Did your sister have the abnormal cells removed (a LLETZ treatment) or any biopsies taken?
It can be that cancer is found after a colposcopy, but it could also be that further treatment might be required to deal with (pre cancerous) abnormal cells.
There can be a number of different symptoms which people might report, so ladies might post to tell you about them, but everyone is unique and so you cannot assume that your sister’s situation would be the same, even if similar symptoms are reported.
I can understand your concern is increased by the fact that your mum had cancer, but the best thing you can do is try not to rush ahead with thinking the worst, and wait until the appointment with the gynaecologist explains everything. If your sister does get a cancer diagnosis, she might also wish to join the group here, and we will do best to try and help support her. Of course you are also very welcome to be here and ask any questions.
Please let us know how things go.
Sarah xx
