cervical cancer

[handmaiden]

morning geeks,I apologise if this should be a journal enty but I feel that this is so important, every woman needs to read this.

I have had smear tests in the past but as I am only young , I ignored my last couple of routine tests

I only went for my smear last month as those adverts about it got to me, and today I have my appointment to see a specialist as my results were showing severe abnormalities, thankfully I already have a hospital date.

the point of my post is that whatever age you are you can get cervical cancer , it IS NOT an old womans disease like I thought

if any of you have ignored your reminder letter for your smear tests or have put off going through embarrassment , I beg you to make an appointment and get screened

I am only 26 and never thought I would need treatment at my age, now I am so glad I plucked up courage and got over my embarrassment and got screened.

 

[*Garfield*]

Absolutly agree with you hun, I hope everything is ok, I have had abnormal results before and when I have gone to have the endoscope they have found nothing wrong, and said that sometimes a bit of blood or a recent infection can cause it to come back abnormal.:hug:

 

[Rach]

Absolutly agree with you hun, I hope everything is ok, I have had abnormal results before and when I have gone to have the endoscope they have found nothing wrong, and said that sometimes a bit of blood or a recent infection can cause it to come back abnormal.:hug:

Yep, i had these recently too, so am due to go back for another. :hug:

 

[Tracey Park]

Thinking of you !!!!:hug:

This has happened to me and I can not stress how important it is. Even after being treated and you are then followed up more regulary it happened to me again and I couldnt believe it but I have now been clear for 18mths this time and it is really important.

Im sure we all think it wont happen to me - but it can and it is such a simple procedure - not pleasant i agree but it could save your life.

 

[handmaiden]

Absolutly agree with you hun, I hope everything is ok, I have had abnormal results before and when I have gone to have the endoscope they have found nothing wrong, and said that sometimes a bit of blood or a recent infection can cause it to come back abnormal.:hug:

thanks:hug:
I have already been sen by the docs and have been fully briefed lol, I am just so ashamed with myself for ignoring something this important for over 5 years!!!!!

 

[*Han*]

thanks:hug:
I have already been sen by the docs and have been fully briefed lol, I am just so ashamed with myself for ignoring something this important for over 5 years!!!!!

I am ashames to say I have been called twice for mine now and still have not managed to pluck up the courage to go, but after this post I will be getting an appointment made.
My mum has just recenly had a smear test done after 10 years (bad I know) But she has real problems with hospitals ect, think I must get my\ fear from her.

p.s thinking of you hun xx

 

[*JOANNE*]

i had treatment for abnormal cells when i was 19 i ended up having lazer treatment, and a laproscopy and endoscope, so no it isnt an old persons disease and very important to get things checked out even if its slight spotting between cycles (sorry to be graphic), go get it checked out.

 

[Brandywine]

i had treatment for abnormal cells when i was 19 i ended up having lazer treatment, and a laproscopy and endoscope, so no it isnt an old persons disease and very important to get things checked out even if its slight spotting between cycles (sorry to be graphic), go get it checked out.

I totally agree. I had to have the same treatment when I was 29 and who knows what could of happened if I hadn't had my smear tests done regularly.

 

[pazzy]

I agree - this is just 5 mins of embarrasment that will save your life...


I recently heard of someone in her late 40's who has never had a smear cos she doesnt want one...how irresponsible to her children is that?

 

[Noodle]

Self-awareness is so important ... thinking of you and wishing you well :hug:

 

[angel fingers]

morning geeks,I apologise if this should be a journal enty but I feel that this is so important, every woman needs to read this.

I have had smear tests in the past but as I am only young , I ignored my last couple of routine tests

I only went for my smear last month as those adverts about it got to me, and today I have my appointment to see a specialist as my results were showing severe abnormalities, thankfully I already have a hospital date.

the point of my post is that whatever age you are you can get cervical cancer , it IS NOT an old womans disease like I thought

if any of you have ignored your reminder letter for your smear tests or have put off going through embarrassment , I beg you to make an appointment and get screened

I am only 26 and never thought I would need treatment at my age, now I am so glad I plucked up courage and got over my embarrassment and got screened.

i have had serious abnormalities in the past and i've had a lot of laser treatment to cure it. it took quite some time, but all is fine now. i was in my mid 20's at the time. it did leave me with a lot of scar tissue though which lead to difficulties during the birth of my daughter 8 years ago.

i just wanted to reassure you that you will be o.k.:hug:

 

[aunaturale]

Hi Kelly,
You are right,this is not an age thing. I had abnormalties when I was only 19 and it was cervical dysplasia which had gone to a stage 6 (Stage 7 would have been cancer!!!)
I had never had a pap until this happened. The abnormal spotting and occasional pain in my lower abdomen is the reason I sought treatment. So glad I didn't put that appointment off! I had cryrosurgery, which freezes the abnormal areas, and I have been having regular pap exams ever since. If your doc has the "thin prep" test you should request that instead of the old method that they use,as it is much more accurate.
Good Luck and hope everything is fine,this type of thing is highly treatable as you can see with my particular situation.
Stay Positive and keep us posted, Amanda

 

[rouge]

Kelly, I think if this thread inspires just one scared Geek to get a test done, it's done a fantastic job. Well done for raising this very important issue.

I hope all goes well for you. :hug:

 

[jess124]

I hope this thread does encourage some of you to go to the doctors for your smear test, most of them are done by a female nurse these days anyway, so slightly less embarrassing then having a man do it :lol:

I ignored getting mine done for about 5 yrs, and when I did go, I had left it too late for me :cry: My results were bad, very abnormal cells, which turned out to be cancerous, so at the age of 27 I had to have a hysterectomy.

I consider myself to be one of the lucky ones though, as it was caught early and I have 2 children already. It was a horrible, scary experience that could of been prevented if I had gone for my smear tests regularly. I am fortunate it was caught when it was, but not everyone is, so please please please go for your smear tests, they are soooo important!!!

 

[joe90]

I have been guilty many times of putting off my smear tests and this has made me really think that when I am next called - sometime within the next 12 months I think that I will go straight away and get it done.

Sending you some :hug:

 

[CadenceAlex]

Thank you for this thread. Several years ago I had an abnormal smear and never went back. I will do very soon as it's preying on my mind.

 

[Tiger Jay]

It's amazing how common it is to have an abnormal smear, and even having to go on to laser treatment afterwords too. (I'm one of the %).

I also had a really good friend of mine, who was one of my bridesmaids, who actually ended up with full blown cervical cancer at the age of 34!
Just through ignoring appointments.

It nearly broke my heart to learn that she had gone through such an awful time with her chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments.

However, she did make a full recovery, but unfortunately had to have every thing taken away with the risk of having a colostomy bag. Again she was lucky enough to escape that too.

She never misses an appointment, life's too short to be embarrassed or scared.

AND WHILE WE ARE ON THE SUBJECT, WE DO HAVE MALE TECHNICIANS/THERAPISTS/HAIRDRESSERS ON THIS SITE........SO SPARE A THOUGHT FOR YOURSELVES,

YOU SHOULD BE CHECKING YOURSELVES REGULARLY TOO!

:hug:

 

[Cathie!]

When I was about 23 I kept on going to the Doc with symptoms in the regions....they kept on telling me there was nothing wrong....until I saw a locum lady doctor who examined me and could see straight away all was not good....she took a smear...I think I'd had one in the past, results came back as CIN3, I think full blown cancer is CIN5.....I was sent for colposcopy straight away and was in for a cone biopsy within weeks to remove the cells and part of my cervix by surgery....I was too far gone for laser...

I had to have regular 6 monthly smears after that for 3 years ...I was lucky and I've had loads of reminders about my smear...I've just reminded myself why I must go.

Blimey...I have just Googled CIN3 and I remember at the time they told me it was carcinoma in situ...no wonder they had me in so quick!

 

[Chris2807]

I couldn't agree more. I had cancerous cells at the age of 21, I had to had laser treatment, laporoscopy and in the end I had to have some of my cervix taken away.
I went on to have two beautiful children and now I go back every 6 months (still) for a smear test.
It is so easy to ignore these routine tests whick take up so little time and more often than not it is because women find them embarrassing.
I'm sure after you have treatment Kelly you will be ok, just look after yourself and make sure you keep going regularly.:hug: Take care and look after yourself

 

[Nailsinlondon1]

Isn't it amazing how many women are affected by this.....I had a cone biopsy 20 years ago and regular smears for the next ten years, then the little beggars came back and I had a loop diathermy, now I am another 10 years further down the line and actually got my next smear this Friday, lets see if this is a 10 year thingy lol.....The treatment is fantastic and safes lives, so anyone should go and get checked..... smear tests ain't gonna kill ya, cancer does....There are lots of clinics who offer this on a walk in basis, if your doctor cant fit you in, then ask where the nearest Family planning clinic is, most of these offer a cervical screening service.... go and get checked, ignorance ain't always bliss xxx

Happy screening geeks and should there be a change in cells just remember guys, its just cells and this can be sorted.....