Terrified of my high risk HPV and ascus result - Swine Flu (H1N1) Message Board

neochiq · 04-24-2009, 08:01 PM

I'm really terrified of this result. I had a nurse talk to me in person about it and she said that if had just been an ascus result and no hpv that she wouldn't worry about it, but since I tested for high risk hpv that she wants to schedule a colposcopy. Aside from worrying about the pain of a biopsy and endocervical cutterage, (read horror stories) I'm deathly afraid of the outcome.

She said (and I quote) that an ascus result is actually a good thing. She said that it is 1 step away from 'normal' results and that even though the pap smear is just a screening tool, if there were cancer cells that they would have probably been able to spot them. She also said that she has never seen an ascus result from a pap smear come back as worse than low-grade--that it is rare for an atypical result to actually be cancer (because the cells look almost normal) She ALSO said that when she did my pap, I didn't bleed and that my cervix looked healthy (and that she has seen ones that she could tell weren't good)

Can someone ease my mind and/or be honest with me? Is she just trying to make me less scared?

Before this, (and I'm 26 years old) I had NEVER had a pap, been sexually active for 6 years---what if I have cancer??!! What if it has been brewing this whole time since I became sexually active???? I mean, I have seen posts all over the place that said different things. One lady scared the crap out of me by saying that HER doctor told her that high risk HPV with ascus result means 80% cancer chance!!!!!!!

My mom said it is rare for someone my age to have cervical cancer and that it takes about 10 years to become cancer in hpv patients...but my defense is that Jade Goody died at age 27 from cervical cancer.

Help me please..I'm making myself sick with worry. I am so scared about what the biopsy will say. Can a pap really tell if there is cancer? If so, why the colposcopy? I understand it is to monitor...and I'm going to go get it done in about 2 weeks....but OMG what if it IS cancer?

Pickle Eyes · 04-24-2009, 08:18 PM

Neochiq, I understand your fears and worries, but I think at this point your doctor just needs more information. The best way to do that is with the colpo. The doctor will probably take a biopsy of the exocervix. The doctor might, if he/she has reason to, do an ECC.

There are several steps between your pap results and cancer, for most women. There are rare cases. My suggestion, as a woman who was diagnosed with cervical cancer last year . . . is take it one step at a time. Worrying only gives your mind something to do - and it isn't productive.

My suggestions are to read reputable sites (CDC, etc), learn the basics of what will happen. Try to avoid horror stories. Write down your questions and leave room for writing answers.

neochiq · 04-25-2009, 10:45 AM

I guess the reason that I am so scared and worrying myself sick is because I hadn't ever had a pap until now. I am so afraid that it has progressed to cancer in these few years...

Ever since I've found out I've realized that for the past few months I've been very tired and have chronic back pain---but I'm also top heavy and overweight. I have a large chest but I don't know if this would cause ******** or not.

With my ascus result and high risk hpv---is there a chance I have cancer? Or is it most likely that I do not have cancer?

jenniferab · 04-25-2009, 11:01 AM

Neochiq, I am not nearly as knowledgeable as the ladies on this board but I know that they can offer some feedback based on your colposcopy and biopsy results report. When you get that stuff, I'd suggest posting the results on here and I'm sure they'll give their two cents.

With that being said, I have two points and please know that this is just my opinion and again I am not an expert by any means: with your results, yes I suppose there is a VERY small chance that there are cancerous cells but I think that this would be VERY unlikely. If it was that severe, from what I've read and heard, you would see that on a pap. Your next procedure will really be the tool to gauge what is going on and what your treatment will be. If any of the other ladies disagree, I'm sure they'll post it here.

My second point is this: I don't know your situation and I don't know what the last few years of your life have been like. I know what it is like to let life get busy and to not take care of certain things, but you really need to have your annual exams. This is critical to your health - it will find these things in most cases before it gets to a dangerous point. If insurance is unavailable, there are programs available to help. Planned Parenthood offers a sliding scale based on income so that your yearly exams are not overlooked.

Please understand that I'm not trying to make assumptions about your situation or be nagging. I just really believe in taking care of yourself and know that sexual activity introduces a whole host of issues that require close supervision to make sure that everything is okay. HPV can stay quiet or it can speak up - a pap will catch that, as you've now seen.

I really hope that everything is okay and please post how you're doing!

Jen

Pickle Eyes · 04-25-2009, 12:19 PM

Being overweight and/or "top heavy" are often causes of various forms of back pain. Back pain can be caused by so many things.

I agree with Jennifer, the colpo will give you and your doctor a better idea of what is going on.