Small growth found on opening of cervix

Hi Em198440 and welcome to our group.

I‘m sorry  you’ve got this worry after a small growth was found during your smear test. The urgent referral doesn’t mean that you have cancer, but this does need to be ruled out, and an urgent referral should get you seen more quickly.

I would expect that your referral will involve a colposcopy, which is similar to a smear test but is a closer magnification of your cervix, and the doctor may take a small biopsy from the growth to be analysed in the lab, so there will be wait to get the answer for you.

I understand you will be worried that this might be cancer, but it may be a benign growth. The only way to confirm this is a biopsy.

Hopefully your appointment will come through quickly, and you’ll not have too long to wait for an answer, but I appreciate it will be a worrying time for you. Please let us know how you get on after your referral, and there will be support here in the group if you need it.

Sarah xx

Hi Sarah

thank you so much for replying.  I’m trying to think positive, I don’t have any other symptoms so I hoping that’s a positive, there is fibroids and polyps in my family, I am so worried but like you say the appointment will give me clarity. Is cervical cancer curable, I was advised not to google anything. Thank you so much.

Hi Em198440 

It’s good advice not to google anything in case you find yourself down a scary rabbit hole!

Cervical cancer can certainly be curable, depending on the stage at which it is found.

I was diagnosed in 2018, and wasn’t able to have a hysterectomy due to the stage of my cancer at diagnosis. I had treatment-radiotherapy and chemotherapy, but had a recurrence in 2019.

I then had a massive surgery in 2020, and am considered cured by my surgeon/oncologist as I’ve not had a further recurrence for more than 5 years.

I’m not saying for a moment that any of this would happen to you, but I hope it can show you a positive story from someone who’s dealt with this cancer twice and survived.

Sarah xx

Sarah

you are an amazing lady, you have given me a great deal of hope, I am so very sorry you went through all that, but you are an inspiration to others I will let you know how I progress but for the meantime time thank you so much x

That’s such a lovely post to read-thank you! 

Hope is a very powerful thing to hang on to, and having a positive attitude really can help.

According to two different doctors I’ve spoken to, a positive attitude makes a difference in patients’ treatment and recovery, and I chose to have that type of attitude.

I appreciate that in my profile, which you can read by clicking my name, I have said I’ve had all hope taken away from me a few months ago but that’s because I cannot have a hip replacement, nothing to do with my cancer! 

Sarah xx

Thank you, when I’m feeling down I will think of you and what you have over come. I’m sorry about your hip replacement. X

It was devastating news at the time, but I’ve accepted it.

I try to think of silver linings in everything, and my silver lining here is that I wasn’t in hospital for surgery or trying to recover as my partner was taken extremely ill and admitted to hospital just before Christmas where things were touch and go for a while. Being disabled, these past two weeks alone have been very, very hard but at least I’ve managed to cope, just about. I couldn’t have if I’d had hip surgery! 

Sarah xx

Oh my goodness I’m so sorry about your partner, you are still finding time to reply on here, honestly you are the inspiration people need. I really hope things get better for your partner and well done for coping so well x

I haven’t replied to posts as quickly as I would normally do as I’ve found it too hard recently, but it gives me a focus other than being upset and worried.

I can do very little for myself and I am used to having help from my partner, but I’ve had to cope as I’ve had no help over the past 2 weeks from anyone. I’ve felt quite sorry for myself being trapped in the house, but I have my little cat for company. Unfortunately,  she can’t take my socks off or shower me! 

Sarah xx

Oh Sarah, bless you, if there is anything I can do please just say, even just chatting like this, it’s really cheered me up tonight, so thank you x