terrified i have cervical cancer

Hi Sunny and welcome to our group.

I can appreciate that you are worried, but please try not to jump to the conclusion that you might have cervical cancer. It’s normal procedure to be referred if you have symptoms like you have experienced with heavier than normal periods and some unexpected bleeding when wiping, but it doesn’t necessarily mean you will have anything as serious as a cancer diagnosis.

The colposcopy will allow a closer look at your cervix, and you might need to have some further testing. It could be hormonal, you could be in peri menopause, you could have a cervical ectropion where some cells grow outside the cervix and can look red or bleed on contact, but testing is done to rule out cancer as a normal procedure. 

It’s common to find that anxiety makes you feel things you haven’t noticed before, so that’s normal too, though it doesn’t necessarily mean anything serious. We become more aware of our own bodies when we worry that something might be wrong. 

Waiting and not knowing is a difficult time for you, but it’s only the colposcopy which will tell you more, so I hope you don’t have too long to wait for your appointment. Please let us know how it goes, and I hope it reassures you. 

Sarah xx

Thank you so much Sarah for your quick response. I am hoping that the fact i don't bleed between periods apart from the pink on the toilet paper that I previously mentioned. My smear tests have all been normal but the last one was nearly five years ago. My mother and mother in law both have stage 4 cancer so i  terrified of giving people worry especially my three children.

I have my appendix on Thursday and will let you know how I get on. I am on holiday at the moment and it's been so difficult having to pretend i'm alright.

I think it’s too early to worry anyone (apart from yourself of course) because you don’t know if there’s anything actually wrong at the moment.

It’s very difficult having your mum and mum in law having cancer so I’m sure it causes you even more worry than most, but we get lots of ladies coming to the group in a state of panic who are not diagnosed with anything serious.

I actually didn't have to pretend I was ok, because I didn’t think I would have anything wrong with me. Unfortunately I did, but I was in a lot of pain with heavy post menopausal bleeding and I ignored symptoms for at least a year. You’ve gone quickly to get checked, so that’s a really positive thing. 

Try to enjoy being on holiday for now-the only time I felt worried was when I had an actual cancer diagnosis. You don’t have long to wait for an appointment, but there will be a wait for results if any biopsies are taken. Please try to relax and not imagine the worse at this point as worry can’t change anything and just makes you more anxious.

Sarah xx

Sarah, I can't thank you enough. You are so kind and reassuring to not only myself but other members on here. I will just have to wait and see what happens on Thursday. I will let you know. Thanks again 

You’re very welcome Sunny 

I am always sad to see anyone join us in a state of fear and anxiety, but I can understand the worry we all go through with something untoward happening in our bodies. I suffered through not seeing a doctor, and burying my head in the sand, so I’m happy to see others going and getting things checked out quickly as you have done. 

Sarah xx

1. I am worrying a lot at the moment because Inhave constant need to have a wee. Even after I have gone to the toilet i feel u need to go again. I also have a feeling of fullness in my pelvic area. Really worried in case it's something very serious. x

Hi Sunny 

These things may not be connected, but make sure that when you go to your appointment you let the doctor know about all the different things you are experiencing so there is a full picture of what’s going on. Are these new symptoms for you or have you been aware of them for a while? If the doctor feels they need further investigation, that will be arranged for you.

Sarah xx

Hi Sarah, thanks for getting back to me. I am someone who for as long as I remember gets up to use the toilet at night buy now i'm needing it so much during the day as well as waking up at night. i have been taking antibiotics because it was bad before i came away about ten days. Worrying thinking it should have cleared up. I don't know whether the anxiety is making it worse.

It may well be anxiety, but it is something you should report. Were the antiobiotics prescribed for a urine infection? Did you have a urine test at the doctors?

For years I was always up in the night for a wee, often more than once, but just assumed it was my age. I wasn’t going excessively during the day though so it is worth getting this checked for a physical cause like an overactive bladder. 

I think your anxiety will be making you focus on every twinge in your body right now, which is understandable, but it’s likely that fear that is making you extra vigilant. I hope you’re not looking for answers on dr google as that is rarely a good idea! 

Sarah xx

Hi Sarah. The appointment I had with the Doctor when she examined my cervix and saw the red spot she also did a dip test to see if there was blood in my urine because I told her that I wondered whether i had a UTI. She said there was no evidence of blood. This was the day after I had a bit of pink in the toilet roll after wiping. I was still given antibiotics because I told her about the frequent urinating. It does hurt when I go to the toilet just feels like i always want to go.

I still haven't seen any blood so hoping that's a good sign. I'm afraid I a m guilty of doctor Google and red that frequent seeing can be a sign of advanced cervical cancer, hence my fears xxx