Abnormal Smears

[Dris]

Situation is a 20yr old had an abnormal smear result in July last year.(Her first smear)

She had to be re-tested in October and that came back abnormal as well.

She's since had another smear and it has come back abnormal with a letter saying she will be in hospital within max 8wks.

No other info re treatment.

She wont phone hospital and I cant as they wouldnt discuss with me.

Has anyone else had same at similar age?

[Dris]

Thought of that but the 30yr age gap might give the game away.

However I am sorely tempted as I am beside myself with worry.

Thank you Big_Alfie x

[sara3]

"in hospital" as an in-patient? have you seen the letter yourself?

[NoMercy]

Yes, Dris. My first smear, aged 21, showed "borderline" changes. Second smear, 6 months later, showed further changes. Within just a couple of weeks I was at the colposcopy clinic having the rogue cells blasted away. Nothing much to it, but she will likely have smears every year for 10 years thereafter. Any worries, email me. x

[Dris]

Thats what she says sara -she wont discuss further and I only discovered last week whilst in Spain and am just back.

I have just phoned for more info for google and she refuses to discuss further with me as 'she just wants to have a good time' and she refuses to 'google'.

[NoMercy]

Dris... as for the colposcopy itself... I had an injection (I think it was the same one they use for teeth extraction - containing a little adrenaline). It may make her legs go a little wobbly. She won't feel anything when the treatment is being carried out and it shouldn't take more than about 20 minutes. The gynaecologist should take a biopsy and then send the test results a couple of weeks later. Try not to worry - I've not had any abnormal smear since. x

[Dris]

Thanks NoM -theres 3 options and the colposcopy was obviously one of them.Its just that hers have been 3 straight abnormal -I shall take you up on your offer though once I can get more info.Its heartening in an disheartening way to know someone else has gone through similar.

I just felt she was too young as I have always been clear -her dads side did have a pre - disposition to cancer.He had her warned to within an inch of her life when he was alive about her smoking............

[Dris]

Big_Alfie-thats what you get Mums for did you not know that -they do all the worrying for you :(

Thanks again NoM -feel slightly more encouraged x

[sara3]

I've been through it too, Dris. don't panic. I'm sure she knows more than she's telling you (the letter must say more than "turn up").. so long as she goes I'm sure it'll all be fine x

[boxtops]

Dris, wherever she had the tests done, the results will be sent back to her her GP by the laboratory. She needs to go and ask her GP or practice nurse what the results mean. The letter sent to her may not contain too many details in order not to scare patients with technicalities, but there ought to be a phone number in the letter that she can ring, and it won't be scary, they are there to explain and help. Not phoning or going to see her GP will make her feel worse, as she may be imagining that things are far worse that they are. Please persuade her to phone the GP surgery - if the results haven't come through yet, they will be able to ring up themselves and find out what's going on.

[Dris]

Thanks sara -it does help that others are or have been in the same situ.I'll be there with her anyway so i'll bleed the consultant dry for info :)
Im glad that you and NoM are now fine -I feel a tad more at ease now.x

(think she is in a kinda denial -perfectly normal for a young lass)

[Dris]

boxtops -I agree think its one of those times when Mum has to intervene (poke her nose in).Thanks for your advice -its on board x

[NoMercy]

Dris... When I had the treatment done, I felt on familiar territory because the gynaecologist was the wife of my GP. That did help to put me at ease. But I do remember her lecturing me about smoking...

As for a genetic predisposition.. I don't know. But my mother's twin had had exactly the same problem as me and they took that into consideration.

[northernmonkey]

Will be no reason for you being questioned on phone if rang pretending to be her.

If you asked most people they ring up pretending your her if they was in your situation

[Dris]

NoM -I had to force her to go for her 3rd smear -was a nightmare.She'll cope tho as she's a tough wee cookie but understandbly doesnt want to face it. I think that their Dad was right tho re the smoking -however you can lead a horse to water....his mum died on her birthday as it happens at the age of 47 -dont know where it started (the cancer) and his Dad had cancer when he died.A good talking to is overdue (after).

Big_Alfie think you could be right there -you have to face up to things eventually as they dont go away.

[Dris]

Reckon I would get away with it northernmonkey?
I dont have her NI or Hosp number but I guess I could blag ot -nothing ventured etc... Ta !!

[boxtops]

northernmonkey the NHS is very hot on patient confidentiality these days. They should not give out any information over the phone to anyone unless they are 100% sure that they are speaking to the patient. Everyone working in the NHS (and I am one of them) is bound by a code of confidentiality, we get into serious trouble for breaching it! There is nothing to stop Dris' daughter asking her mum to go with her to see the GP to talk it through, so they both hear what's being said, but it's not right that staff will give out info on the phone unless they know they are speaking personally to the patient.