Hi Charlotte.

So sorry to hear what you're going through. It's good you'll be seen quickly and hopefully you'll have a diagnosis of cervical ectropy and you can put this to the back of your mind. 
 

i'm in a similar position and when I seen your post I thought I must reply! I had a baby in May last year. Recently had pink discharge when wiping and fresh blood speckles and this occurred after sex. I have a gynaecological history where I had pre-cancerous cells removed 5 years ago. Smears have been fine since and smear in August last year was fine. But went to the GP today and she says she suspects cervical ectropy but can't be certain so has made an urgent referral to colposcopy. Now all I'm thinking is I have cancer and I'm going to die. Upsets me thinking about my daughter growing up without me It's horrible. I know exactly how you're feeling so please don't feel you're alone. 
 

As hard as it may be, try and put this to the back of your mind for now and come this time next week you'll have a diagnosis and hopefully you can put this behind you. I'm one for using Doctor Google myself and it never helps. However I do think these forums will be able to offer lots of support and advice. Hope you're ok today. 
 

SP 

x

Hey [@sweetpea8610]‍ , 

thankyou for replying to me, did your doctor fast track your referral through the gynaecology department for suspected cervical cancer? I have had two doctors tell me it is large cervical erosion, so I was confused when I seen the referral form saying suspected cervical cancer as this has never been mentioned to me, in December when speaking to my doctor and having several infections etc I asked if I could have a smear just to rule it out as I thought something more was going on than what doctor could see at the time. Doctor agreed and I booked the smear, when I got into the room the nurse asked me why I had booked the appointment, I explained my conversation with the doctor and she said no I can’t do it because you’re under age. So I walked away without one being done, and now I feel if it is cervical cancer I have been palmed off many of times because I haven’t stopped pestering my doctors since this all started beginning of August 19. 

The posts sits I have read about people being fast tracked for cervical erosion have all come back as just cervical erosion thankfully so that put my mind at ease. One minute I’m being positive and feeling ok and the next everything just come crashing down on me and I am at the bottom again, it is awful. 

I wish the best for you and hope you get your appointment soon and the answers we all want to hear. I’ve got my fingers and toes crossed for you xx

My doctor said today she was requesting an urgent referral. When I asked about whether she thought it was cancer she said she suspected cervical ectropy but I know ectropy and early signs of cervical cancer can look the same. I'm also a nurse and with my knowledge of the system my guess is she would have said suspected cervical cancer due to my symptoms, my history and due to covid limiting services at the moment. Sorry to hear you've been fobbed off and not getting your smear. I think that's terrible the nurse refused your smear despite your doctor saying you should get one. When I first got symptoms I was concerned about years ago, I was fobbed off cause my previous smears we're fine. And then at my next smear I had severe changes and had to get treatment for pre-cancerous cells which really upset me. The system can be so unfair sometimes. I've since learned you can pay for smear tests privately so worth keeping it in mind if needs be. But hopefully it never comes to that for either of us. 
 

That's good hear positive stories from other urgent referrals for cervical ectropy. And that's great two doctors have already said that's what they think it is. It's sensible however they have referred you on as you're having ongoing symptoms. My friend has had cervical ectropy too which she had treatment for but treatment isn't always necessary too so please keep that in mind. You have your beautiful child to focus on and take each day as it comes. I know it's scary. But I'm hopeful we'll both be reporting good news :) Keeping my fingers and toes crossed for you too. Please don't feel you're alone and message if it's getting too much for you ️
 

xx

Ah okay, doctor did say I would be waiting months for an to covid 19, she said on the phone because it had been going on for so wanted a gynaecologist to have a look. My mum has said if they suspected it was cervical cancer they would of had to say in the consultation but at the time I honestly was preparing for the worst. Have you ever had any symptoms like this before having your baby? I only ask because I’ve never had any problems prior to my baby and all of a sudden I’ve had every bacterial infection going, BV, and now cervical erosion, I had ventouse and so I suspect the force as to what the doctors were pulling and me pushing has caused some damage. I have crohn’s disease too and with that I have really poor healing skin so it look me months for my episiotomy to heal, and that’s where all the infections came from. It’s honestly just been a rollacoaster of emotions and pain ever since having my baby. I really hope we both get the answers we’re looking for and we can move on with our lives and our babies will have us safe and sound. 

Take care and I will be sure to keep you informed x

I think it's very sensible the doctor has referred you. My doctor said it was suitable for me too cause of my anxiety. I'm sure you've been feeling the same so would be so unfair to leave us waiting. I agree with your mum, wouldn't be ethical to lie to you. Doesn't stop our mind questioning it though! I had my baby last year but 2014/2015 I had light bleeding after intercourses and that's when I went to the GP and they didn't investigate it further so come my smear in 2015 I knew it would be abnormal. And it was and I got diagnosed with CIN 3 which needed treatment. However since that treatment my smears have been fine and HPV negative. I did however get spotting before I fell pregnant and was referred to colposcopy and it was fine. I decided to have a baby before my smear was due in 2018 incase there was issues again. My smear after pregnancy was fine however. Sorry to hear about your difficult birth and Crohns. It sounds all so tough for you. I had an unplanned section in the end after failed forceps. Regardless of delivery method pregnancy changes your cervix and can make it sensitive. Are you breast feeding? Just asking cause I am and was wondering if that may make a difference to your cervix due to hormonal changes. Hormones will be havoc for the rest of our life I think  wishing you all the best and sending you lots of positive vibes xx

She also said that if doctor thought it was cancer she would of had me seen earlier than 2 weeks, doctor did say she wanted me seen quickly because of how long it has gone on and it is clearly causing me problems. Ah so your erosion has come back? I’ve heard that can happen and each time they just burn or freeze the cells off? Aw bless, it’s such a traumatic time delivery isn’t it without having extra problems, no I’m not breastfeeding, we tried at the start but baby wouldn’t latch properly and after 5 nurses trying with him I put him on bottle, my delivery was traumatic enough. Oh definitely, my body has completely changed inside out since having my baby, I didn’t think this much would happen. Xx

That is positive! Keep positive and I'm sure this will all work out for you. No, CIN 3 is different from cervical erosion. Never been diagnosed with cervical erosion. It can all rather confusing can't it CIN 3 is pre-cancerous cells and I got that burnt off. Cervical erosion is nothing to do with cervical cancer. So please let that reassure you. Aw bless you! Breastfeeding is hard but formula or breast, it doesn't matter in the end. Hope you sleep well tonight. Tomorrow is a new day and another day closer to getting answers xx

Hi

I just wanted to pass on my experience as it may help somewhat.

I had some mid cycle brown discharge and went to GP. She did smear and swabs and said she could see ectropion. Smear came back as HPV and moderate dyskariosis. This led to me getting the 2 week referral to colposcopy. I was convinced it was cervical cancer as how could all these things be coincidence.

Had my colposcopy today. The lady said she wouldn't say I have ectropion and that she could see a small area of moderate changes. She advised that I had the LLETZ treatment there and then. They have to send my cells off for testing but she was confident it was all sorted by this treatment and as she does this for a job I felt very reassured that it wasn't cancer.

I do not know if the discharge problem is fixed and it will be hard to know for a while as the LLETZ can lead to bleeding etc so will be hard to know if it is one thing or another.

Bec

Hi Bec!

Thank you so much for your response. Really appreciate it. What a worrying time for you but what a relief to have some answers on, and positive news at that! I'm sure the doctor would know what they were dealing with. When I had CIN 3 she could tell straight away also and I had LLTEZ done there and then also. And my results were exactly what she said. I. Hoping I either have cervical ectropy or cell changes. That would be a relief compared to a cancer diagnosis. I'm hoping my appointment for colposcopy comes in quick! So glad everytbing has turned out alright for you

xx

Hi

 She definitely reassured me, she does this as a job so I believe she knows what she is looking at and rarely gets it wrong.

Once those other results come back I will be able to totally breathe again.

Bec