smear test

[badnews]

My younger sister has been told that after her smear test she has "abnormal" cells and needs to go to the hospital for a further tests. She is worried about this and after Jade Goody, I'm worried also. Has anyone got any advice on this? I mean is it quiet a common thing? My tests have always come back clear.

[Velvetee]

Your sister will probably have a Colcoscopy, which is where a special camera is used to look more closely at the cervix. If the doctor feels these cells need to be removed, then he/she will carry out a Loop Diathermy, which is where a cortorising instrument, which looks like a metal wire in a loop shape. This will burn away the abnormal cells.

A biopsy will probably also be taken and your sister will need to return to the clinic about 2 weeks later for the results. I think most abnormal cells caught earlier can be treated successfully. If all is ok, then your sister will be required to have follow up smears every year as opposed to every 3 years.

I hope everything goes well and I think Jade's case was one of the rarer cases, so try not to worry yourselves.

[badnews]

Thankyou, I'm sure she will be fine. We will feel better when she has visited the hospital but the appointment is about 6 weeks away, guess if they thought it was really serious they would have rushed her in earlier.

[phillipa.d]

Hi Bad News,

I've had abnormal ones a few times now, I've had the colposcopy thingy, it wasnt as bad as i was expecting, only slightly stingy. I ever took my Mum in case i couldnt drive afterwards, but I was fine. I have smears more often now, and just keep them up to date.

Hope everything goes ok for your sister.

xx

[weeal]

Ive had the colposcopy too, but had it without anaesthetic NOT TO BE ADVISED. Afterwards I was checked every 6 months for about 2 years. Im back to 3-yearly now with no problems.

[aniani]

I had the same result a couple of times - was tested very regularly thereafter, absolutely nothing untoward. This tells you that screening works - hope all's well for her.

[Mamyalynne]

on a historical and still hopeful note, i had abnormal cells they even described them as precancerous back in 1978, had an op i beleive is rarely performed these days (due to the lasers etc) and was told to have no more children.
I went on to have my second daughter a year or so later (albeit a bit early) and all smear tests for 31 years have been clear.
Take care and love to your sister,
Mamya x

[sqad617]

Abnormal cytology.....perfectly normal for your sister to be worried.

[badnews]

Thankyou for all ur support, I dont feel as worried now as it seems a common thing, glad she had the test though, because now it can get sorted earlier- just in case it was to turn into something worse. If it wasnt for the Jade Goody scenario, she wouldnt have got tested in the first place, as she never got round to booking the appointment!

[2planks]

My daughter has just had the same results. Saw her GP on the Monday who by chance had the results before she got hers in the post. She got her hospital appt on the Thursday for the following Tuesday. Had the treatment . She got the results 10 days later- the removed cells were precancerous but she didn't have cancer. She doesn't need to have a follow up appt at the hospital, but has to have another test in 6 months, then another 6 months later. If all still OK then yearly until the lab says back to 3 yearly. Hope it all goes well for your sister.

We all call the NHS at times but I cannot fault the speed that they dealt with her. Everything was explained as they went long and she'd had booklets to read beforehand and a telephone number to speak to the Coposcopy nurse.

[sqad617]

badnews, if you have a minute today Google this:

"Mittelschmerz"

[sqad617]

Sorry.....wrong thread LOL