Cervical cancer?

for anyone out there with experience of this,what stages did you go through to find out you have or had cervical cancer?
my doctor found what she thinks are polyps during my first and only smear test(i know how stupid that was of me)and i have also been bleeding for about 2 months which coincides when i started first using the depo injection.
i have now been referred for a colposcopy and doing research on the net it seems things could be all pointing to cervical cancer.
i'm really scared and have been feeling like crap for weeks now,i would definitly like to hear some of your experince,maybe it is just polyps and i'm worrying over nothing.
i also had a baby 6 months ago which could also be a contributing factor to any of my symptoms.
please help put an uneasy mind to rest,i'm terrified of the unknown.(i'm 29 years old)

Polyps, dyplaysia, and a referral for a colposcopy are not necessarily sure-fire signs of cervical cancer. Before you reach an actual diagnosis of cancer, you usually have many diagnoses of cervical dyplaysia in varying severities. I don't know for sure, but I would venture a guess that only about 1 case out of 200 turns to cancer...and that would probably be with absolutely no medical intervention.

You're also correct that giving birth can change the cervical surface cells, but thankfully you're being referred out.

Just so you are fully aware of all the ins and outs of what may or may not be happening to you, I am including a link to Yahoo Health information on cervical abnormalities. Be sure to read everything and do NOT naturally jump to the worst-case scenario.
And be absolutely sure to ask questions of your doctor. While you can find all sorts of information, only your treating physician is in the position (no pun intended) to tell you exactly what's going on and what to expect.

I wish you the best of everything. Don't worry yourself too much...cervical cancer - if this ends up being the case (which I'm willing to bet it is not) - is VERY survivable. I'm a 10-year cancer survivor...and life a very happy and healthy life. Its going to be fine. Source(s): http://www.mjbovo.com/women/dysplasia.ht...

http://health.yahoo.com/search?p=cervica...

Okay first of all breathe. I'm 21 and had to have a colposcopy done. I had dysplasia. which is precancerous cells. The good news is that cervical cancer is usually a slow moving disease. Your body usually takes care of it on its own.

Now as for the test, here's what to expect. Its very similar to a pap, except there is more pressure because they have to shine a bright light inside of you. Next they coat the cervix in vinegar . The smell kinda gets to you when you add in all that anxiety. If they see whitish areas, they will take a biopsy. Its a hard pinch. Expect some discomfort, not actual pain. You may want to schedule it for a time that you can go home afterwards. You will probably want to lay down for the rest of the day- I did lol. It will be odd feeling for a day or two. You may even pass some small clumps of tissue, etc. My doctor told me this was normal.

All in all, I was very worried , and it all turned out much better than I had anticipated. Good luck. I hope I eased your fears/told you what to expect.
1 st of all an abnormal pap could be caused by a number of things such as infection, child birth, or a bad collection. the colposcopy is done to verify that there are actually cervical changes present. as the other person said, they insert a speculum, apply acetic acid (it makes abnormal areas appear white), and look at your cervix through a microscope. if they find a suspicious looking area they will clip off small pieces of tissue (feels like a sharp cramp) and send it off for a biopsy. if it turns out the cells are harmful they will remove the area of "dysplasia" with a minor in office surgical procedure known as a "leep" or cryosurgery, so that new healthy tissue can grow in it's spot. after this, they will do a pap every 6 months to make sure it's all gone. keep in mind that most dysplasia takes a period of several years to turn into cancer. for more info try www.acog.org .
Polyps are common after childbirth. I had a few and the doctor removed them in one of my procedural pap. Dont worry.. sometimes the internet will give you info on the worst. sometimes we worry over nothing. Your body has gone through many changes with pregnancy and childbirth. And congratulations on the baby!