Urgent referral for a hysteroscopy and biopsy

Hi there. I am sure lots of us can relate and it’s the not knowing that’s absolutely the worst. I know it is very hard thinking you might have cancer as it raises so many questions and fears. Keep talking to us on here. I had a massive bleed In March and needed several blood transfusions to stop me going into heart failure. I was referred for urgent hysteroscopy and scans. They found a polyp and some cell changes during my hysteroscopy. Originally I was told it was hyperplasia but 2 days later I was called back and told it was cancer . In July I had a hysterectomy and now I am pretty much recovered (needed no chemo etc). I still get tired and worried sometimes but largely I am doing fine.

I know you will have come on here not wanting to hear this and I hesitated to post as I don’t want to upset you. You might not have cancer at all. It’s not common and there are other conditions it could easily be. But they’re being thorough and quick which is good. I’m sorry I cannot be of more comfort but I can tell you to take one day at a time (cliche I know) and keep talking to people about how you’re feeling. If (big if) it’s cancer then you’ll receive loads of support. If not (I am hoping not) then you’ll at least find out what it is that’s causing symptoms. 

Whatever happens you’ve got this and we can help as we’ve all been at that freaked out, not knowing stage which is really hard to handle.

Thinking of you ...gentle hugs coming your way. 
Stephy x

Hi there. I am sure lots of us can relate and it’s the not knowing that’s absolutely the worst. I know it is very hard thinking you might have cancer as it raises so many questions and fears. Keep talking to us on here. I had a massive bleed In March and needed several blood transfusions to stop me going into heart failure. I was referred for urgent hysteroscopy and scans. They found a polyp and some cell changes during my hysteroscopy. Originally I was told it was hyperplasia but 2 days later I was called back and told it was cancer . In July I had a hysterectomy and now I am pretty much recovered (needed no chemo etc). I still get tired and worried sometimes but largely I am doing fine.

I know you will have come on here not wanting to hear this and I hesitated to post as I don’t want to upset you. You might not have cancer at all. It’s not common and there are other conditions it could easily be. But they’re being thorough and quick which is good. I’m sorry I cannot be of more comfort but I can tell you to take one day at a time (cliche I know) and keep talking to people about how you’re feeling. If (big if) it’s cancer then you’ll receive loads of support. If not (I am hoping not) then you’ll at least find out what it is that’s causing symptoms. 

Whatever happens you’ve got this and we can help as we’ve all been at that freaked out, not knowing stage which is really hard to handle.

Thinking of you ...gentle hugs coming your way. 
Stephy x

Hey there Meg, 

Welcome to the forum, though I'm sorry you find yourself here. 

First off, stop Googling. If you Google any combination of symptoms, cancer is almost always going to be thrown up as an option - Even if all you've got is a common cold.

Then secondly, most women have these tests and find out that it's not cancer. I think the stats say that 90% of the time it's not cancer. From your description, there's every chance that what you've got is nothing more than a case of hyperplasia, probably brought on by the hormone imbalance after having your son. This is easily fixed with a Mirena Coil and possibly some oral progesterone, just to get rid of the lining that's hanging around still.

The hysteroscopy with biopsy will allow them to have a good look around in your womb and take a few samples to be sent off to the lab. The other test might have been a d and c, or a myosure procedure? If so, they just remove a lot of the lining to help you feel better almost immediately. 

Out of interest, have any of your female relatives been tested for the BRCA mutation? Might be worth mentioning to your doctor next time you see them, regardless of the outcome, and just see if they think it would be worth testing you for the mutation - if you'd want to know - so that if you had it then you were able to get better monitoring and take any preventative measures you wanted to.

Lass

Xx

Hi Stephy 

thanks so much for your reply. I’m sorry to hear all that you’ve been through. You’re very brave. I feel like cancer has followed me around since I was a child watching so many family members ill with it or die from it. My rational brain tells me all will be fine, but then my irrational side tells me “This is it. It’s your turn now” Sounds ridiculous. I’ve always had it in the back of my mind “Will I be the next female in the family with it” I work full time as a police officer and struggling to get my mind to think straight. It feels foggy. I need to try and sort my head out so I can function normally. I haven’t been diagnosed with anything at all and I feel like my brain is acting like I have been and I don’t know how to switch it off. I feel I’m insulting those with an actual diagnosis. I’m sure I’m rambling but I do appreciate you taking The time to talk to me xxx

Hi Lass

thank you for replying. I’ve been referred for genetic testing three times since I was 17 and each time refused as I didn’t know enough medical details regarding family members. I’ve never been offered a blood test or anything else though. All of the maternal relatives on my mums side have passed away aside from my maternal aunt who will not discuss any previous cancers in the family as it upsets her. 

I said to Stephy, my rational brain tells me all is ok. But I’m so tried from overthinking today and working late last night prior to my appointment. Thank you for the information xxx

Also Lass I’ve stopped googling now as like you say it tells you you could have cancer after a few sneezes so good advice. I think she mentioned a d and c now you mention in and a laparoscopy but I had switched off completely and have no idea what they are xx

Like Lass said try not to google (though lots of us did/do) and also like Lass said there are many explanations for your symptoms that are unlikely to be cancer. Hold on to that. You’re in a different situation to me you’re younger and had a child. I have no kids (by choice) and that itself made me higher risk. All of your feelings are totally normal. I felt scared, numb, foggy, panicked and everything in between. None of it is nice or fair. I can understand your increased worry especially as you have lost family. I am so sorry. You’re definitely not insulting anyone either with or without a diagnosis. You have done a brave thing by even looking on this forum and opening up. I remember that ‘can’t switch off’ it was like white noise in my head constantly. Now most of the time I look back and think blimey was that actually me? Time can be cruel sometimes. I remember wanting to fast forward. If you feel able to, please keep in touch on this thread as lots of us have had a hysteroscopy etc and might be able to answer any questions xx

Heya, 

Yes, unfortunately genetic testing is really really expensive. So if you don't have a cancer diagnosis yourself, then without a lot of info about your family then it comes down to a postcode lottery as to if there's the money for it or not. 

Your aunt would be more likely to get tested if she asked for it, then if she was positive then you'd probably get the test. Same goes that if, big if, it turns out you do have endometrial cancer - then you might be able to get tested finally. Every cloud....

Laparoscopy is a camera about the width of a pencil, being inserted into you to have a look around. Usually, it goes through your skin to get in, as opposed to a premade hole like a mouth or vagina. So your doctor may be thinking that whatever the shadow is, is outside of your womb. I've not heard of that being done myself though, as usually they'd do an MRI first to get a clearer picture. 

The hysteroscopy is a camera going up into your vagina, through your cervix, then showing you and the doctor the inside of your womb. I've lost count of how many of these I've had, but I've found it fascinating watching it all on the TV. 

The d and c is the old version of the myosure that I've had. In simple terms, they insert an implement a little like a spoon into your womb with the camera, and then scrape and scoop away the lining that's there and shouldn't be. And I promise, it sounds worse than it is. I was awake for all of mine, no general anaesthetic, just Ibuprofen and paracetemol.

Hope that helps. 

Lass

Xx

Hi Meg,

Sorry you are having such a worrying time, but this is the right place to come for support.

At your age, ( from what I understand from my chat with the genetic counsellor, ) even if you had a BRCA or similar, your risk would not have risen much yet, as the risk is still age related. So you still have a high likelihood of it being something benign.

I'd have another go at getting the BRCA test if I were you though. I got tested, last month, ( result awaited) because I had a serous cancer ( which has similarities to ovarian)  even with less knowledge of family history than you, no family womb cancer and just one great aunt with breast cancer. I think they have moved the criteria and its easier to get now.I think that's because there is a newly approved drug, olaparib, which is having excellent results treating women with a BRCA gene in particular. 

I hope you get some reassuring results  soon x

Thank you to everyone for replying to me. I really appreciate it. I will try and see if I can push for a test for the BRCA gene and see how it goes. GP’s in the past have pushed for genetic testing nd sent many a letter about it but I get refused each time. I was always quite happy with this as I didn’t want to know, now I’ve had my son it is a different story. I pulled my son into bed with melast night soI had a good sleep and have decided to set an hour aside each day while I wait to “worry” and then keep busy the rest of it otherwise I’ll drive myself up the wall! I will keep you postd about my results and I feel better having spoken to you all. ️ xxxx