Need some support - Cancer: Breast Message Board

mossimo · 04-26-2004, 09:57 AM

I had my second pap (first when I was 17) almost 2 years ago. I was also tested for STDs at that time and everything came back normal. In the past couple months I had problems with a persistant yeast infection that finally went away after 2 mos. Then this past month I also had abnormal bleeding, which is very unusual for me and prompted me to make a gyno appointment. I'm a hypochondriac, so I immediately started looking on the internet and convinced myself that it MUST be cervical cancer! I was very nervous for the gyno appt, but she alleviated my concerns by telling me that the yeast infections were probably due to the antibiotics I was on around that time and that the abnormal bleeding is normal for someone my age (I'm 23). My pregnancy test was negative, she did a pap & exam and said that everything looked good. I told her about my fears of having something serious like cervical cancer and she kinda laughed and said that I shouldn't worry. I felt good for going and stupid for worrying myself so much.

But the doctor just called and woke me up this morning to tell me that my pap showed some "abnormalities" and that she wants me to come in for a colposcopy. I am familiar with a lot of these terms and procedures because of the time I spent reading about it on the internet and this message board before I went in for my pap. Now, I'm assuming the worst again. I know I shouldn't and I know it's selfish of me to worry so much at this point since there are people on this board who have had and are dealing with issues much more serious than mine...but I'm honestly VERY surprised to have even had an abnormal pap. Considering that only 5-10% of the population have abnormal paps, I told myself before I went in fthat everything will be fine and that it will be extremely unlikely that they will find anything wrong. Now I feel like maybe my fears are real and not unfounded. I didn't talk to my doctor about the type of abnormalities that were found, I was too shocked and frankly I don't think I really want to know. I'm very afraid. I have been crying all morning. I'm a grad student and have final papers due, but I can't even think about doing them. How concerned should I be right now? Considering I've had abnormal bleeding bt periods, I feel as if there is something going on and that it's just not a false-positive result...like some people I know have had. I guess I'm just looking for some support... sorry to all those who are dealing with much worse problems than mine. My heart goes out to you all.

JenBrooke123 · 04-26-2004, 10:11 AM

It's natural to feel nervouse about things like this. I am 28 and am going through a lot of what you are going through now, except the yeast infection, which antibotics can cause. back in Jan I had a pap which came back ASCUS I just had my follow up last week. I Seriously recomend you call your doctor and ask what excatly your pap came back as. for example mine came back ASCUS and my HPV report was inconclusive. My doctor told me that if my HPV report came back neg, then he would have just had me come back in a year. Since my HPV report came back lack of spec. he had me do a follow up, if my HPV report comes back postive (or for some reason they find something else) I will go in for a colposcopy, becaue as you know probably from your reading HPV can cause Cervical cancer, atleast certain strains.

Maybe your HPV report came back postive, which can mean a number of things not all seriouse, your doctor is now doing a colposcopy.

The abnormal bleeding, my doctor told me, could be just hormons or something seriouse, but may not even be related to your pap.

That is why it is so important to find out the reading of your pap, call today, it may make you feel better to know.

On another note even if you have something wrong, caught early Cervical cancer can be treated and cured. From what I read Cervical Cancer can take many years to progress my doc told me like 5-10 years. Even if you have something wrong it may only be pre-cancer cells which can be fixed with leep and the like. Call today if you can, find out excatly what your report said, I did and it made me feel a bit better know excatly what is going on.

Good luck and remember even if something is wrong you probably caught it in enough time to get it corrected.

preshy7 · 04-27-2004, 12:11 PM

im sure its not cancer. you will get a treatment (most are painless) and they will remove any cells that are there- if any. NO need to be sick over it. I was at first but you know what, its not worth it. You probably have HPV which is a virus, and they will removethe bad cells that the virus caused. Keep going for your regular paps when the doctor says and you will be fine. Yes, its very scary at first, but you got it early and you should not worry. I promise. All the best to you!

allergicinsw · 04-27-2004, 10:09 PM

I am 43 but at 25 I had a abnormal pap and did colposcopy for 2 years, never any bad results. Alot of times if you get your pap when you have a little infection, it throws it off. Usually this is indicated as mild dysplasia. If it was close to your period, blood can mess it up. Many people get at least one abnormal pap in their life. I think more than 10% probably so please do not worry about it.

Sharon