Hi everyone 
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So, I had a routine smear test in Oct 20 which showed abnormal cells. I then went for a colposcopy around march 21 where they carried out a LLETZ procedure and confirmed CIN3 cells. I returned for a smear test in October 21 for a check up and again abnormal cells where detected. I then had another appointment in the colposcopy clinic in January 22 and again underwent a LLETZ procedure. This result again confirmed the presence of CIN3 cells.
I am now awaiting an appointment for a follow up smear test but I am growing increasingly anxious about the results. I am 36yrs old and have 3 children. I have been sterilised 6yrs ago also after my youngest child due to also having had 4 miscarriages previously.
So my question is about the possibility of having a hysterectomy and if this would then prevent my having any CIN3 cells in the future? As I'm getting older I'm becoming more and more anxious about the possibility of cancer and not being here for my children. I know CIN cells are not cancer but the recurrence of CIN3 just makes it more difficult for me to think rationally about the situation.
I don't want to talk to my husband about my feelings as I know he will only get himself stressed when I know in reality it's not a situation for this .
Thanks
Hi McBride86 and welcome to the group
I can understand your concern about CIN3 cells, and the fact that you continue to have them, so can appreciate that you might think that a hysterectomy would be the answer.
It’s certainly the case that there is a limit to the number of LLETZ procedures which can be performed as there is a finite amount of cervix which can be removed, so it may be that a hysterectomy could be suggested to you.
However, this does not give 100% guarantee that you would not ever have abnormal cells again, as the hysterectomy will not remove the hpv virus which is causing these cells. When the hpv virus is active it can still cause abnormal cells, and these could then appear on the vaginal cuff where you are sewn up after the hysterectomy, in the vagina or vulva.
It’s therefore important that if you do have a hysterectomy, you need to continue with regular checks. Unfortunately the hysterectomy is not a cure for hpv, so abnormalities can recur and I think it’s important to be aware of that when deciding on major surgery.
Sarah xx
Hi Sinead
It may be that your smear is clear this next time. That could happen!
The thing with hpv is that there is no cure, but you hope that your own immune system can suppress it. The virus can be active, when it can cause cell damage or it can go dormant and you just live with it doing nothing harmful. There are not a lot of options available to be honest if you return a CIN3 result again. It might be possible to have another LLETZ, depending on how much is left of your cervix after previous treatments.
Sometimes lower levels of abnormality-CIN1 and CIN2 can regress, but this is less likely with CIN3 as it’s the most severe level of pre cancerous cells so typically these would be treated as you have experienced in the past.
The hysterectomy would remove the damage already done by the virus in the form of the CIN3 cells, but it doesn’t remove the virus-otherwise everyone could have a hysterectomy and cervical cancer could be virtually wiped out.
I can understand your anxiety as you come up to another smear, and it may well be that a hysterectomy is the option suggested and that you do take. All I wanted to make you aware of is that the hysterectomy isn’t a “cure all” and for you to be aware you would need vault smears in the future, where a sample of cells is taken from the top of the vagina where the cervix would have been. It’s not quite the same as a smear, but would test for abnormal cells. I know some women who’ve never had any further testing after a hysterectomy, thinking they are cured of hpv for ever. It would be lovely if that were the case, but it’s not the reality.
Fingers crossed you get good results in August and don’t need anything further!
Sarah xx
