Hi everyone!
Newbie here, just joined after an appt with a nurse practitioner at my GP practice yesterday for what I thought was persistent Thrush!
I was 60 last September and for the last 4 weeks have been experiencing intense itching, burning (although not an issue when I wee) and bleeding of my clitoris which is also covered in a strange white coating of some sort, which I thought was yeast but apparently isn't, and low pelvic pain.
I have suffered with repeated doses of Thrush over the years both pre and post a hysterectomy in 2011, and menopause. At least I thought that's what it was, but am beginning to wonder now!
The nurse ruled out Thrush and said she was going to refer me on a 'quick referral' to gynae at the hospital and told me I should get an appt in the next 2-3 weeks.
Nothing else was mentioned but then I looked at the notes from my consultation on the NHS App last night to read the words 'suspected cancer'!! Well, you can imagine where my head is at now!
I messaged the surgery and asked the nurse who I saw to call me! I've just spoken to her and she apologised profusely that I had such a shock and explained that in order for me to be seen asap, it's necessary to put suspected cancer on the form!
When I pressed her a little more she stressed that she can't give a diagnosis as she's not a gynaecologist but said that it definitely doesn't look right and as my clitoris was very enlarged and inflamed and didn't seem typical of LS.
To top it off, I'm currently sat on the sofa, immobilised, with a badly sprained ankle, having fallen down the stairs on Saturday!!!
Needless to say I'm feeling very sorry for myself, so any suggestions, thoughts, advice, hints or tips anyone can give me would be very welcome!
Thank you.
Hello Seasidesuzie
Welcome to the Online Community and the vulva group.
I hope you do not mind me responding as my cancer was endometrial but I know that the testing process is fairly similar. I remember how I felt when I was put on the urgent referral process and had the first letter through with oncology written on. I also remember feeling really nervous before my biopsy and gynae examination.
It must have been a real shock to see what had been written on the NHS app after thinking that you had a simple thrush infection. Well done for contacting your nurse.
When somebody has a symptom that could, in some people, be related to cancer, it is normal to go on the urgent cancer referral list. It does not necessarily mean that cancer is present, more that it is important that it is ruled out. They normally rule out the potentially most serious causes for symptoms first.
You have some symptoms that the nurse was concerned about and it is important that they are checked by an expert.
What I would expect to happen now is that within the next couple of weeks you will get an appointment with a gynaecologist who will talk to you about any symptoms, examine the area and perhaps take a little biopsy.
This info is about what may happen.
Tests for vulval cancer | Cancer Research UK
I hope that your appointment comes through quickly and you get some clarification about what is causing your symptoms. In the meantime if talking things through would help, then please do give the Support Line a call.
Jane
