HPV & severe abnormal cells.

Hi Lozzzz and welcome to our group.

Your bleeding and pain sound awful, so I’m sorry you’re going through this. I hope the medication is helping to stop the bleeding, but it’s good that you don’t have a long to wait for your colposcopy. I would expect that even if you are bleeding the examination will still be attempted-I was bleeding heavily when I had mine. 

I understand what a worrying time this is for you, but you really need to have the colposcopy to find out more. Hpv in itself and abnormal cells (dyskariosis) don’t automatically mean you will have cancer, but you need the pain and heavy bleeding investigated.

You may get some more replies, but I’ve found that ladies who don’t have a cervical cancer diagnosis tend not to stick around if they have precancerous cell changes identified which are then treated-usually they don’t require any further support from a cancer group. 

I can completely understand you are looking for reassurance that everything will be fine, and there is a reason other than cancer found for your symptoms but if you are ultimately given a cancer diagnosis, then we are here to help you through this.

Sarah xx

Hi Sarah. 

thanks for your quick response! 

I'm trying not to let my mind get the better of me before Wednesday, and as much as the doctors say its not cancer it’s pre cancerous cells, I’ve read quite a few stories of women having an abnormal smear and it turning out to be cancer.

will update regardless after Wednesday. X

Hi Lozzzz 

I was awake very early this morning! The doctors are going by what they know at the moment which is that they’ve identified pre cancerous cells but it’s only a biopsy that would confirm cancer.

I had a visible tumour on my cervix seen at my colposcopy but my gynaecologist still didn’t mention cancer at that point even though he clearly suspected it. He took a biopsy and I had to wait a week to find out the results.

The smear isn’t a test for cervical cancer- it’s initially a test for active hpv-and further testing is only done if hpv is present, so it’s definitely possible to get a cancer diagnosis in some cases unfortunately. 

Sarah xx 

Hi Sarah,

I have had two biopsies today, unsure what that means all they’ve told me is they will be back with in two weeks? 

thought I’d pop an update on xx

Hi Lozzzz 

Thanks for the update. It means that during the examination they took some small samples of tissue from your cervix which then gets sent to the lab to be analysed under a microscope. They’ve said the results should be back in a couple of weeks and then you’ll be contacted again to let you know what’s been found. 

Biopsies are taken to rule out or confirm something-it could be confirming the level of abnormality in the cells, or it could be to confirm there is cancer there.

If precancerous abnormal cells are confirmed, you will be told what the next steps will be to remove them-usually this would be done by a procedure called a LLETZ where the cells are removed in an outpatient clinic. if cancer is found in the testing, you would likely have an appointment to discuss the treatment required for that. 

How did you find the colposcopy and biopsies today? I was a bit crampy after mine and I did bleed quite a lot at the time, but just took a couple of paracetamol and was fine in a day or so.

Sarah xx

Hi Sarah,

Yes just need to wait for the results now, another waiting game! 2 weeks will be Christmas Eve, wondering if I will receive or if there may be a delay until after. 

The colposcopy was actually okay now looking back, at the time it seemed very daunting and I think it’s more thr thought of the biopsy than it actually being done that’s worse! I’m feeling okay, had some paracetamol and haven’t had any cramps as of yet xx

Yes, the waiting is horrible, but try to keep yourself busy if you can with all the usual distractions at this time of year! 

I didn’t feel anything at the time my biopsies were taken really-just afterwards it felt like a period cramp, but the bleeding was very embarrassing! The nurse kindly gave me an incontinence pad to sit on in the car going home, which was a blessing as I leaked through my clothes. I’m glad you’re feeling ok tonight-and it’s another step closer to getting some answers for you.

Sarah xx

I am sorry you are going through this. It is terrifying. I had a similar experience with intense bleeding. I was terrified and I went to the hospital. The positive was that I didnt have the colposcopy and they sent me immediately for scans. They also prescribe me medication that stopped the bleeding. I would suggest that if your bleeding is severe go to the hospital as it can speed up the diagnosis. Be strong. Xxx