Suspected Vagina Cancer/Referral

Hi Fun and welcome to the group.

I have been through cervical cancer twice which was in my vagina and had my vagina removed so I do have some experience of that part of our anatomy!

I appreciate that you will be very anxious at the moment, especially with what you have read, but I’d like to try and reassure you a little if I can.

The gp has said “suspected gynaecological cancer” and the key word is “suspected”. The quick referral happens in cases where cancer is suspected and allows you to be seen quickly and determine the reason for the lump. It may not be cancer, the gp does not know if it is, and so if I were you, I’d avoid google.

The internet cannot diagnose you, and you don’t know if you have vaginal cancer, so please try to avoid focusing on that. It will increase anxiety but not give you any more information than you already have. 

it’s hard to stop your mind being in a whirl even just with a suspicion of a cancer diagnosis, but it’s actually good to be seen quickly by a specialist to determine exactly what’s there. I’m not sure what worst case scenario is for you, but things are rarely as bad as our minds would have us assume. 

Sarah xx

Hi Sarah. Thank you for replying so quickly. You're right I know I shouldn't Google, but I'm annoyed with myself too for maybe not getting a second opinion earlier. I just wondered what kind of symptoms you experienced before you were diagnosed. I will update you after my appointment on Wednesday. It is just good to talk to someone, feel alone. 

Hi Fun 

My cancer was cervical so my first symptoms were post menopausal bleeding and pelvic pain. My tumour originally was growing into the vaginal wall, and when it recurred it was in exactly the same place, and I needed extensive surgery. But that is only my experience and it was not actually vaginal cancer but a different cancer located in the vagina. 

Have you experienced any symptoms at all? Sometimes lumps there can be polyps or other benign conditions which aren’t necessarily cancer, but unless you are fast tracked it might take a long time to be seen by a specialist. So your gp is erring on the side of caution, just in case it is a cancer. At least you don’t have long to wait for your appointment, where the gynaecologist will likely want to ask questions about any symptoms and perhaps take a small biopsy of the lump to have it checked. 

I am around the forum frequently so am here if you need to chat. Have you got any friends or family around to help support you? 

Sarah xx

Thanks Sarah for sharing. It looks like it's been a tough road for you, so pleased you're ok now. I went for a swim to take my mind off of everything. Yes I do have my hubby and a lovely daughter. Hubby tends to avoid the subject, that's his way of dealing with everything, so I try not to burden him. 

I don't really have any symptoms, but where the doctor had a good prod it feels a bit sore now. I wouldn't know if it would hurt if I was having sex, as hubby is not too good in that department, since he had heart attack 3 years ago, hope that's not too much information lol, but you get my drift. I will update you after my appointment on Wednesday. I can't really complain as only saw the GP last Tuesday. Thank you so much for your support, very much appreciated.

Nothing is too much information in these groups Funespecially for someone like me who lives with 2 stomas! 
It might just be a bit sore there from prodding, but it’s good you don’t seem to be having any of the main symptoms of vaginal cancer like post menopausal bleeding or discharge. 

Fingers crossed your appointment goes well on Wednesday. If there are any biopsies taken there would be a wait for results. But hopefully it’s not as serious as a cancer diagnosis. 

Sarah xx

Thank you so much Sarah, your support is very much appreciated. I will let you know as soon as I can on Wednesday.

Hi Sarah, just thought I would update you re my appointment this morning with the gynachologist at my local hospital. After examining the outer part of my vagina, she didn't see anything that looked like cancer, which was reassuring. She then used the colposcopy to look inside the womb, and said everything looked fine, but did notice the varicose vein on the labia minor, which is what made me go the doctor in the first place about 18 months ago as it does appear like a lump, and it had got bigger. Anyway, she didn't seem worried and told me not to put anything on it. She did say my vagina was very dry and gave me some ovestin to use a couple of times a week. She told me to ring her if I develop any other problems.

I must admit the staff were lovely and explained in detail what they were doing all of the time. I am relieved that everything seems to be ok, although I have been anxious, and as you said best not to look at Google. I've had a couple of friends around my age who had cancer over the last couple  of years and were not diagnosed soon enough and died, and that's very alarming.

Anyway, thank you so much for your kindness and wise words when I posted, it was very helpful. Wishing you the best for good health and well being. Sending virtual hugs xx

Hi Fun 

I’m delighted to hear how well your appointment went today-what a huge relief for you! I always think it’s best to get things checked out, but as you’ve found out today there’s luckily often not a cause for concern. 

Thank you very much for your kind wishes, and I’m glad I managed to help a little while you waited for your appointment. 

Sarah xx