Cervical cancer scare?

i've just been notified that my recent cervical smear test, shows that i have abnormal cells, and that i need a colposcopy, what is this exactly, and does this mean i have cervical cancer? serious answers only please, i'm scared stiff

I had that about 9 years ago. I had to have a 'loop' which is the removal of pre-cancerous tissue. They inject the cervix with local anaesthetic, I won't lie, it hurts.
They took all the abnormal cells away in the one appointment.

I also have to have a smear every year now.

A colposcopy is to check and see why and what type of abnormal cels were found. Cancer isn't the only reason you may have abnormalities. Don't get too worked up about it until you know for sure what it is.

It is just where they go in and get a better look at the cervix. They may also do a biopsy at the same time. That is where they take a sample of the cells around the area and get them tested to see how abnormal they are. The colposcopy doesn't hurt much. The biopsy can. They give you a shot of numbing stuff on the cervix and it kind of hurts. Then they scrape off some cells to do a sample. My doctor also sprayed a mix that smelled like viniger n the cervix to help fight off what ever was there.

That part isn't to bad. If the biopsy comes back positive you will either have the loop procedure done (I did and it is not to bad) or they will freeze it off...


GOOD LUCK!!!

http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/articles/art...

Abnormal cells can mean absolutely nothing. I have quite a few friends who were told this and it turned out to be nothing. Although they were also scared stiff. They all just had to go back to get a smear test more regularly, I think it was every 3 to 6 months. Abnormal cells can be caused by something as simple as it just being a certain time in your menstral cycle.

i had a colposcopy a few weeks ago.
they burn away a layer of tissue, but you have a local, so there is not pain. it's like a long smear test really.
they inject you with adrenalin and place pads on your legs, (which no one told me, so im telling you now). it lasts for 10 mins.
it's over quickly. don't keep putting it off like i did, as i had lumps to remove! once it's done it's done, and you can have a day off work and watch films all day.

it'll be fine (think off it like just getting a mole removed or something)

One of the most frightening times in a woman's life is when the gynecologist calls and says her Pap smear results are abnormal. Although you might think an abnormal Pap smear means you have cervical cancer, the fact is that the majority of abnormal Pap smears are not caused by cervical cancer. The more likely cause of abnormal Pap smear results is inflammation or a vaginal infection.
Because the Pap smear is a screening tool and not a diagnostic tool, your gynecologist may want to take a closer look at your cervix to determine the cause of your abnormal Pap smear results. The tool your gynecologist uses to get a closer look at your cervix is called a colposcope. The colposcope is used for the colposcopy examination. Reasons your doctor may have for ordering this procedure include Pap smear results which:

indicate dysplasia or cancer
show evidence of HPV
show atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS) or repeated (ASCUS)
Your gynecologist may also order a colposcopy because your cervix appears abnormal during your pelvic exam and Pap smear, or if you have a history of prenatal DES exposure.

During the colposcopy procedure your gynecologist uses the colposcopy to visually exam the cervix. Colposcopy is a simple and painless procedure that is performed in the gynecologist's office. The procedure takes about ten or fifteen minutes.

The colposcopy procedure is similar to the Pap smear. You are positioned on the examination table as in a Pap smear, however acetic acid (such as common table vinegar) is placed on the cervix. This causes the cervical cells to fill with water so light will not pass through them.

Another difference that you will notice is that your physician uses a colposcope to view your cervix. A colposcope is a large, electric microscope that is positioned approximately 30 cm from the vagina. A bright light on the end of the colposcope makes it possible for the gynecologist to clearly see the cervix.

During the colposcopy, the gynecologist focuses on the areas of the cervix where light does not pass through. Abnormal cervical changes are seen as white areas, the whiter the area, the worse the cervical dysplasia. Abnormal blood vessel changes are also apparent through the colposcope. Abnormal vascular changes can occur in dysplasia. Typically, worse the vascular changes are the worse the dysplasia.

If your physician is able to view the entire abnormal area through the colposcope, a tissue sample or biopsy is taken from the whitest abnormal areas and sent to the lab for further evaluation.

Cryosurgery or a freezing of the abnormal cells may be performed next and, in some cases, can make this a diagnostic/ treatment procedure in one. If your physician, is unable to view the entire abnormal area, as when the abnormal area extends inside the cervix, another procedure such as a Cone biopsy or LEEP procedure is performed.

No it does not mean you have cancer there are some cells showing up abnormal. What they do next is check the cervix with a camera. They will tell you if any action is needed then. Hope this helps all the best

It's to see what sort of cells the abnormal ones are. Don't panic yet, they may not be cancer. Hope all goes well x

No it hopefully does not. The whole idea of cervical smears is to pickup early, pre-cancerous changes. Colposcopy is best described as a form of excision biopsy. The cervix is stained, so that any abnormal cells show up, and these are cauterised though a colposcope. The usual follow up is a smear and further staining 3-6 months later.

I had the same thing, 5 years ago (am 48 now)

I had to go to the Women's Unit at my local hospital, and a nurse and doctor were present. I had to remove my knickers, but kept my skirt on (pulled up) and I had to sit in something similar to a dentist's chair. It was reclined so that I was almost lying down.

My legs were apart, and the doctor inserted an instrument to look at my cervix in closer view. There was a monitor (like when you have a scan) so that the doctor could see my cervix on there (so could I)

He found some pre-cancerous cells and asked if I wanted treatment there & then, or to go back at a later date. i chose to have the treatment straight away.

He used an intrument to cut away a part of the cervix, and although it wasn't agonising, I felt a stinging sensation. The procedure took about 10 minutes, after which I went home. I was told not to drive that day, and not to lift anything heavier than a kettle, for a few days. I was told not to use bubble bath, perfumed soap, etc., for a few weeks, and no sex for 6 weeks.

After that, I had to have smear tests at my G.P. surgery, every year, for 5 years. I've been fine since.

I got a letter in the mail from my hospital saying I have to go to the appointment (that they made for me, automatically, without asking if its a good day or anything, all the way in the middle of May) to come in for a colposcopy. Mind you, when I got my pap in December my doc told me I was abnormal already but no signs of HPV so not to worry. But now I get a letter in the mail THREE MONTHS later and I'm freaking out. But I'm glad I found this page to help calm me down a bit. I hope its just inflammation and nothing more. Waiting til May will be a killer. Any supportive advice would be very helpful and grateful. Good luck to you and any other woman freaking out like me!