Hi everyone
would just like some advice/your experiences through this part of my journey.
I had an ultrasound last week, following a post menopausal bleed and received a call from my GP later that afternoon to inform me that it had detected a thickening of womb lining. Yesterday I had a consultation with a gynaecologist and a colonoscopy/biopsy and have been referred for the hysteroscopy. 1st question why a Colonoscopy? isn’t this for the cervix. I didn’t even have time to ask this !
She spent ALOT of time talking about the HRT I’m taking and what my options for HRT are in the future ! She said my endometrium is 9mm but could be because of the HRT. She spoke very quickly and wouldn’t allow me to record the discussion saying I could take notes.
Everyone was lovely and kind but I never got to ask any questions.
How do you retain some control over these consultations? I don’t want come across as difficult but I need some reassurance and I’m no clearer on the likelihood or not that this is cancer. I know you have to take one step at a time but I’m terrified
Any advice/experiences would be greatly appreciated. Has anyone else had the colonoscopy and then the hysteroscopy?
Hi Jhibhan
The test you will have had done is called a colposcopy, which is taking a closer look at your cervix. I’ve attached a link for you here which explains the process.
I’ve had both of these procedures done as part of my own diagnostic process, but my cancer was cervical, so I’ll let the ladies here come back to you with their experiences.
Sarah xx
Hello Jhibhan
Welcome to the Online Community and the Womb group.
I am sorry to hear that you have had some bleeding and have been found to have some hyperplasia. (thickened lining)
Endometrial Hyperplasia: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment (patient.info)
In these circumstances it is usual for them to have a closer look to find out what may be causing this.
A colposcopy is where they take a closer look at your cervix and take a small sample of cells. (a colonoscopy is when they use a camera to have a look into your bowel)
I will pop a link with a bit of info.
Colposcopy | Macmillan Cancer Support
A hysteroscopy is where they use a tiny camera to have a look inside your womb and they would normally also take a biopsy at the same time.
Biopsy for womb cancer | Macmillan Cancer Support
Both tests are being done to rule out any cancer being present. It does not mean that they necessarily think you have cancer, but that you have some symptoms, that in some ladies, sometimes can be a sign of cancer. They tend to want to rule out the more serious possible causes first.
Being on HRT can lead to a thickening of the endometrium in some ladies but it is impossible to say for certain without having a closer look at the cells under a microscope.
Try not to worry too much at the moment- I know its hard- but it sounds like they are doing the normal routine checks to be really careful. All Post menopausal bleeds warrant further investigation but I remember being told by my consultant that only 1 in 10 turn out to be caused by cancer. A thickened endometrium in it self can cause some bleeding. The fact that the consultant is talking about the HRT and options for the future does sound a bit more reassuring.
I find that most appointments I have had, there is a lot of information to take.in. I tend to take lists in now and it helps take control of the situation and then I get answers to what is bothering me the most, rather than the consultant talking about what they think i want to know. I wonder whether there was a nurse in the room with you that you could contact to ask questions- there should be an email address or phone number on the letter where you had the appointment.
Hope this helps a bit. If you feel like talking things through would help, then please do give the Support Line a call. The details are below.
I did not have a colposcopy as my cervix was healthy but I did have the endometrial biopsy- so if you have anything you want to ask about that, please do so.
Jane
