Worried after logging into nhs app

Hi Iggle

Welcome to the Womb Group.

I am sorry that you have found information on your NHS app that was so scary and unexpected.

I think the best thing to do perhaps is to contact your GP surgery in the am and see if you can get someone to talk to about it. 

Gynaecological mass means something has been seen that needs checking- so could be something like a fibroid or a polyp- doesn't necessarily mean cancer. Other things can cause a thickened lining and a mass. But they normally will put as urgent cancer pathway- because they want to rule out the most serious potential causes first. 

The hysteroscopy will use a tiny camera to take a closer look inside your womb and they normally take a biopsy. it is only a biopsy that can say whether there is cancer present or something else. 

So you have done the right thing in getting checked and I understand that this must have been difficult with your health anxiety- so well done. Hopefully the hysteroscopy can be done quickly so you will have answers. Once you know what you are dealing with, then some treatment can be planned. 

I do empathise with you- it can be scary when you see such information written down. Perhaps your GP will be able to give you some reassurance in the am by explaining a little more. I know mine was sent everything electronically from the hospital. 

We also have the Support Line, that will be available from 8am and if you want to talk things through then they are really helpful and will understand how you are feeling. 

Jane

Hi Iggle, I saw the same on the app - I had a non-urgent ultrasound for light bleeding that didn’t quite stop and a few days later the GP HRT nurse told me the results were on the high end of normal for pre-menopausal (I was post-menopausal) at 14mm and she would refer me to gynae. She didn’t mention the 2 week cancer pathway so I wasn’t concerned (I thought it was hormonal). I asked for a copy of the ultrasound results as I wasn’t expecting the conversation about the results being abnormal so I wanted to see what she said. She said they would be in the app, which I had, but didn’t really use, and when I went in I saw the ‘suspected cancer’ wording which induces immediate shock when you’re not expecting it.

What this means is that you’ll get seen as a priority, and remember in many cases it’s not cancer, but best to get checked out quickly. The waiting is awful, we’ve all been there and understand what you’re going through. You should have your hysteroscopy soon and will get some answers. Try to think positively and keep busy in the meantime if you can. We’re here.

Thank you Iggle for raising this, I’m going through the same thought process. & you’ve perfectly put into words how it feels.

I’ve just seen the same thing this morning on the NHS app,  along with a slightly high CA125 result, having had breast cancer. I too was in panic reading the text.

Jane your reply has really helped me this morning, as I’m sure it has others.

Iggle wishing you the best of luck with your tests and results and thank you again.

Thank you for responding 

I have been bleeding for a while (im 54) and although I know the app can show sensitive stuff, I wasn't expecting it to be there - so  unmissable in the appointments section, it really scared me

The sonographer wrote hyperplasia? On the report.

I know im on the 2 week cancer road, and I immediately assumed when I read it that a mass was a tumour

So thank you for explaining that its often not, and could be other things

Hi djhi

It's shocking isn't it

Your worried as it is, and then you see the wording

In huge blue capital letters across the screen

Good luck to you too and I hope it all works out xxxx

Hi Iggle. Sorry you’re going through this. It’s a scary time and once you’ve been put on the 2 week pathway it feels like a bit of a whirlwind! My consultant tried to reassure me that all the tests were to rule cancer out. Ultimately, I did have grade 1A endometrial cancer which was caught and treated with a hysterectomy. I’m 4 weeks post op and my recovery has been quick, painless and very straightforward.

The word Hyperplasia is just the posh medical term meaning thickening of the womb lining. Mine was 20mm so much thicker than yours. 
This waiting is the worst part- many of us will sympathise with you! Once I knew what I was dealing with and had a date for my hysterectomy I felt a bit more in control and my anxiety reduced considerably.

Keep in touch on here whenever you need to! X

Hyperplasia is just the medical word for a womb lining that is thicker than average. I'll pop a link that explains it. 

Endometrial Hyperplasia: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment (patient.info)

Hi DJH1

CA125 is a useful marker but it can be raised for different reasons. Infection is one of them. A high result (over 35) would indicate the need for further checking- however it is only part of the story. It is more often used to help in the diagnosis of ovarian cancer but normally checked with endometrial cancer. My consultant said they normally do it as a baseline and then unless really high- they are monitoring for big changes. 

My consultant also said that out of all the ladies being referred for post menopausal bleeding and other symptoms on the urgent pathway- only 1 in 10 would actually have a diagnosis and if they did it would often be at an early stage. 

I don't check my NHS app- as although it can be useful, having things written in black and white without the follow up support is not great. 

Thank you so much and great advise about the app too.