Hi Everyone,
just reaching out in-case anyone has any advice. My history is 3 episodes of (heavy) post menopausal bleeding and a visit to GP mid September where I was referred intially for colposcopy and Ultrasound as she had seen a large cervical polyp. Everything moved quickly and I had the ultrasound the next day which showed thickened endometrium (8mm) but I know this is perhaps not very thick. Appointments for colposcopy and hysteroscopy followed within a week but the polyp could not be removed I think due to position and size and this also prevented the hysteroscopy. Was then told a GA was needed and this would be likely the last week of October, I had the pre-op on the 23rd. Heard nothing and then after phoning and asking for help and advice on here was given an appointment for yesterday for everything under GA. I duly sat there all day and after being prepped for theater was told at 4.30pm they had over-run and it was being cancelled but told they would most likely see me within a week if not sooner, they told me to insist on a morning slot
I received a call this morning with the first available appointment of the 9th December, this is now nearly 3 months after first seeing the GP. When I said that I was worried told that "lots in the same boat as me" and that my original consultant/surgeon was off sick and this had caused issues. I'm not one for complaining but I have a family history of bowel and endometrial cancer and I'm just so worried that the 9th will end up going exactly the same way.
I know there are lots worse off but I keep thinking if this is cancer then a few months have gone past!
thanks for everyones help
Karen
Hi Karen
I am so sorry that you were waiting all day and then cancelled at the last minute. I know that it must have been really frustrating to be geared up to have the procedure done and then it not go ahead.
The hyperplasia and the polyp could well be the cause of the bleeding but I do understand with a family history that any symptoms are more concerning. Hyperplasia in post menopause is anything over 5mm.
Although it is tough to have to wait another 3 weeks IF there is any cancer causing your symptoms - then most endometrial cancers tend to be slow growing. I would ask if there is a short notice cancellation list that you could go on. You could consider referral to another hospital- however I would imagine it would not mean you were seen much quicker than the 3 weeks.
I was lucky in that I went from first symptom to surgery in 4 weeks. My biopsy was done in outpatients and this would have made a difference. I totally understand that it is concerning to go from mid September until December and that you just want to know as soon as possible however for ladies on here that have the general anaesthetic they do seem to wait a fair bit longer. So unfortunately it is not unusual.
CA125 is mentioned on the forum a fair amount but it is only a marker and it is more useful for ovarian cancer symptoms. I had an aggressive endometrial cancer, a family history of bowel cancer in a first degree relative. I had surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. My CA125 result remained well under 35 (the normal range) before, during and after treatment. In endometrial cancer it is more a marker to keep an eye on things. A high or low level does not rule out cancer unfortunately or diagnose it. The more useful blood test is the general one and focus on the haemoglobin levels to check for signs of anaemia caused by prolonged or heavy bleeding.
There can be in a small proportion of ladies a gene that can run in families and this can be important. That is why they ask about family history. However endometrial and bowel cancer are both unfortunately common cancers and for me there was no link.
My advice would be to wait for the appointment, try and get an early appointment and to check if there is a cancellation list. In the meantime if you have another episode of bleeding or any new symptoms to seek medical advice. If you wanted to talk things through then do give the Support Line a call.
Jane
