Was wondering if anybody had symptoms before they were diagnosed with invasive cervical cancer? Or only found out they had advanced cervical cancer? I am just worried because my pap came back HGSIL and I am scheduled for a colposcopy/biopsy next week and scared to death. I am not having any symptoms, my periods are normal/no pains/discharges etc....Just wondering if even though I don't have symptoms I could still have advanced cervical cancer and not know (like stage II-IV cervical cancer). Sorry, but I am scared to death. This has consumed every waking moment of my life since all this started.

((upset)) Gosh, I really wish I could reach over and hug you. You sound EXACTLY like me (except I don't have a steady boyfriend), I could have written your posts myself. You cannot let it consume you because that will not help your body fight this.

I did have several symptoms, but I ignored them out of sheer ignorance: I didn't know hpv could cause cancer (duhhhhh. I thought they only caused warts), and since I had gotten both partners tested for EVERYTHING (gonorrhea chlamydia HIV herpes 1-2 hepatitis B/C the whole gamut), I figured I was in the clear and maybe my bacteria was just "off."

What finally brought me to the gyn's office was nonstop bv, bad odor, watery discharge (this is a big warning sign), itching/yeast-infection feelings (that weren't actually yeast infections), and once *excruciating* pelvic pain during intercourse. I let it go on a full year or more before getting my butt to the doctor because I had no idea hpv could cause these problems.

Otherwise, (non genital wise :lol:) I felt fine: fit and live a great, healthy lifestyle. To this date I am still not sure where I went wrong, I am so cautious but I have it anyway.

I think most women do NOT have symptoms and are taken totally unawares, which is the nature of this beast--but it CAN be beaten. It often IS beaten. Tons of women on this board have beaten it.

What really helped me was researching the success stories posts on this site. Please do that, it will ease your mind.

I just read your other posts.

1) If you and your man have been barebacking for awhile then you guys have and share the exact same things. However, I still recommend wearing a condom until this resolves, because there are a few studies that say condoms can aid regression. There is no need to abstain completely (I'm abstaining now, simply because my drive is G-O-N-E), unless you've just undergone colposcopy with biopsy, or something obvious like that.

2) EXTREMELY unlikely they find micro-invasive cancer if you have been up to date with all your paps and this is your FIRST bad pap. Wait for your colpo with biopsy, and insist on an ECC. Then go from there.

Please relax, you caught this early and you will beat it whether through natural methods or removing the bad cells.

Thanks for your response. Were you dx with cervical cancer? That is my biggest fear. I have done too much reading and have myself scared into thinking that my HSIL pap result means I have cancer and they just don't know it yet. I have no symptoms, which I know you don't necessarily have them with cc, and I had to exams, one by GP and by the gyno. Both of those were normal and both said they viewed my cervix and saw no abnormalities, (which I also know that doesn't mean anything), there was no pain or discomfort with either pelvic exam. As you can tell, I have myself scared senseless into thinking when I go for my colposcopy next week, they will take one look at my cervix up close and freak out and say I have advanced cervical caner. I guess there is such a thing as reading too much and driving one's self into a state of paranoia. Both doctors said that a HSIL pap result is very concerning. That is what is scaring me to death, if they tell me I have CIN, I will be ok with that, I just fear the "C" word, I have read all the horror stories of women saying they never had any symptoms and were diagnosed at stage II or higher with their cancer. Again, thanks for your response.

I wasn't dx with cc, but I had my first bad pap 2 months ago and thought the same terrible things you are thinking now. I am trying to be as healthy as I can so I can fight it off in the coming few months. If I can't, then I will undergo leep in March.

Even "advanced" cervical cancer can be treated surgically. I know what you mean, there are the rare exceptions who were always up to date with paps, suddenly they have cancer and didn't see it coming. But really, the odds are way on your side!

Insist on an ECC (endocervical curettage) after your colpo which they should automatically do anyway--it samples cells from inside the cervix. (the biopsies are taken from outside/the ectocervix)

Please try to relax. In the meantime, look up GOOD stories from lagirl81, Timber, 88Shadow, CynwithCIN...etc., do a search for naturopathic regimens (can't hurt), and if you can, get in sooner for your colpo so you know what you are up against and can form a "battle plan" instead of worrying yourself to death. I do know EXACTLY how you feel right now, but you will get through this.

Thanks for your positive post. I will look up their stories. I have been taking daily multi vitamin since I had my pap. Maybe a little too late. LOL. It has already been decided that regardless of what my result is, I will have a hysterectomy, due to my age and I already had my tubes tied. And I do not want to play with fire on this, I have 2 severely disabled boys and I am a single mother, so I don't want to play with this and just remove it, I need to be here to take care of my boys and I am not attatched to my uterus or my cervix, they have already served their purpose. It is just the "what ifs" that run through the mind, I alway tell people I don't live by "what ifs", but looks like I do now! LOL Thanks again for responding to my post, it truly does help.

Hi, first off, try to calm down and don't waste a good panic. Chances are, you have HGSIL, just as your Pap indicated. Next, remember that HGSIL is NOT cancer - it's pre-cancer. So try not to worry until you have to.

Also realize that many, many women go through this and in most cases, it is completely treatable. In February, I was diagnosed with cervical carcinoma in situ, cancer which hasn't spread yet, after an initial diagnosis of HGSIL two years previously. I had laser surgery this past May, and so far, all of my follow-up Paps have been clear.

Fortunately, cervical cancer is one of the most curable and slow-growing of all of the many types of cancer. So, even if the worst should happen, you will most likely be fine.

Good luck and hugs,

Lisa

If you've already had your tubes tied then I agree a hysterectomy is neither absurd nor overkill. I am all for whatever gives you peace of mind and allows you to return to a normal life. Good luck, and you will be fine no matter what they find (which I am betting is not cc).