Abnormal smear

Hi Jmayb and welcome to our group.

I’m sorry to read everything that you’ve had to deal with already, and it’s understandable that another health concern will be very upsetting. 

Borderline cell changes are something that will be investigated at the colposcopy, and this is basically just a much closer examination of your cervix than happens at a smear. It shouldn’t be painful and it shouldn’t take long. In itself it is not an invasive process but as you have had an hpv positive result, it’s good to have your cells checked. It doesn’t mean you have cervical cancer, and it doesn’t mean you will necessarily need any form of treatment. 

I imagine that your previous health history is weighing heavily on your mind, so I won’t be able to tell you not to worry, but you have had a very common result for many women from your smear test, and the whole purpose of screening is to pick up any abnormality in cervical cells before they develop any further, which is what the colposcopy will do. Yours are borderline changes so the hope is that these won’t develop any further. 

Sarah xx

Thank you for replying and for being so understanding. It’s so weird as my brain can read stats and know that this is low chance of it being bad but the emotional part of my brain takes over and I’m shaking. 

I’m struggling to sleep and work. It’s affecting my desire to even carry on with wedding planning. I just have such dark thoughts. I don’t really know what to do because the wait is also killing me. Looks like any colposcopy is at least 6 weeks away. 

I am stressed about the procedure itself though, do they always take biopsies? I’ve got trips abroad this week and next month which I can’t avoid. 

It’s possible that they might take what are called punch biopsies which are tiny samples of tissue but that depends on what is seen at the colposcopy. I didn’t find these painful and they were over in a second or two. 

If your colposcopy is at least 6 weeks away then there should be no reason you can’t go on your upcoming trips. I had a trip to Europe booked for a few days after my biopsies and my consultant did say I was fit to go. However I decided not to as I had some bleeding and cramping. I must stress however that I had a fairly large and very visible tumour as I had cancer, so my situation was very different to yours. As it stands you have some minor cell changes identified at this point, so this is not cancer or a tumour, and might not even require any kind of biopsy at your appointment. 

I‘d recommend having a chat with your gp if your anxiety is leaving you struggling to cope, and see if they can give you anything to help.

Sarah xx 

Thank you for sharing. I really am grateful. Is this something that could sort itself out? Or does it usually go down the path of reoccurring and getting more serious? 

I am trying not to get ahead of myself but I’m now terrified about the next smear test. Feels like I’ll be living year to year like I was with my last cancer and that’s not something I feel I want to take into my marriage. Even over the last few weeks our sex life has been massively affected. I’m just low and not interested. 

It’s absolutely something which could sort itself out, may never need treatment, and may never develop further. 

You haven’t got cervical cancer, so the situation you are in now is very different to your situation before. Take comfort if you can from the fact that screening has meant you are having this investigated. As it stands, you are rushing ahead of yourself in your head and that’s just not helpful for you. 

Sarah xx

It’s so hard not to. I think that because I’ve always been that unfortunate small percentage it’s hard to think I’ll just be one of those where it sorts its self out. 

I think I’m also more worried because of my previous chemo and knowing that this treatment can mean a higher risk of future cancers. I’ve also recently had Lyme disease and extreme urticaria for approx 6 months so have been on a cocktail of medicines to keep all that under control. Feel like my body is really suffering and there’s always something round the corner. 

If you have a lowered immune system due to other things going on, it can mean that the hpv virus rears its head and cause some issues where for most people it doesn’t.

But borderline changes are at the lowest level of any cervical cell changes-they are nearly normal cells, but not quite. The chances of anything worse being found are very, very small but of course I can appreciate that you will be worried because of your other health issues.

However, you’ll need the colposcopy to happen to find out more and I hope when this is done you will feel some level of reassurance. It would be very difficult to live long term with constant anxiety over this to the extent you are currently experiencing so some help from your gp to manage this might be very useful for you.

Sarah xx

Sadly my GP is not being very understanding about everything. I have reached out for some therapy to help talk through some past traumas but who knows if this is something that I can actually come to terms with. It’s such a horrific thing to have to go through as a child, even to this day I may need surgery tomrorow if my shunt were to break. I just can’t keep on feeling like im constantly on the edge.  

What you have been through already must have had a truly traumatic effect on you, and it’s really disappointing that your gp is not being more supportive. 

Maybe you could call the Macmillan Support line-the number is in my signature? They can help-you could speak to a nurse about the abnormal smear test result, but also get help with sign posting you to mental health help via resources they might have access to. 

I can’t imagine how hard it must be to go through cancer and treatment as a child and now have another health concern to deal with. That’s a lot for anyone to cope with. Give the support line a call and explain your situation and see what they could do to help.

Sarah xx

Hello,

I had a colposcopy done on Jan. 29th and I was very nervous because I had been told by my gynocologist that it was painful.  So I was expecting to feel cramping pain.  I will tell you that it wasn't bad at all.  They did a biopsy and it felt like a tiny pinch if anything.  After procedure I was thinking I would be in pain but I wasn't.  The best of luck to you! Rest assured it's not like people may tell you.