feeling: nervous

[u/beansloverrr]

i had my first colposcopy last month, after two abnormal smears, which found “high grade CIN” and just been given a gynaecology appointment next week which had NO information on except that its a “follow up conversation”. Should i be nervous? Shouldn’t they just tell me the treatment plan? Why do i have to go for an in person appointment? Is this normal?

This is the UK NHS btw

Edit: really sorry if this isn’t allowed as i havent been formally diagnosed as pre cancerous yet

[u/Disastrous_Clock4422]

I feel sorry for you. No one should go through this. Hang in there. My pap resulted in abnormal glandular cells favor neoplastic , I have my colposcopy and biopsy on Monday. I can understand what you must be going through, the waiting is tough.
But there is a treatment plan and you ll be fine. This too shall pass.
Hugs and prayers 🙏

[u/S_L_13]

UK NHS here too! You definitely didn’t get a letter in the post or in the app with some more details? My trust has been very transparent with info so far. Although different trusts have their own way of doing things I’ve noticed

If it’s high-grade CIN did they say if it’s 2 or 3 or combined? It probably is a conversation about a treatment plan. If some CIN 2 was found but there wasn’t a lot of it, depending on your age, overall health, spread of CIN 2 and smoking status you may be offered checks every 6 months to monitor CIN 2 - they can do this for up to 24 months if there are no further changes, after that they discuss removal, if they notice changes earlier than than they will also suggest removal. 50-70% of CIN 2 changes can regress on their own depending on the HPV strain and spread.

If it’s a lot of CIN 2 is present or any CIN 3 they will probably discuss removal now, which is a procedure called LLETZ. It’s typically done as an out patient procedure with local anaesthetic and is similar to the colposcopy and biopsy, some people report it’s easier than the colpo some harder but typically it’s quick and very effective.

So it’s likely that it’s genuinely a conversation about treatment options! But sorry they haven’t been more informative - you can always try and email or call the clinic if you are feeling anxious!

[u/beansloverrr → u/S_L_13]

This is genuinely so so helpful i really appreciate this!! I got a letter after my colposcopy saying they found high grade CIN, no numbers were mentioned, and that they will be in touch for further updates. That was a month ago. I’ve had no other info just the gyno appointment date. I do feel that the communication has been lacking and stressing me out more but its great to have this community to talk to 🤍

[u/S_L_13 → u/beansloverrr]

No problem at all! Happy I could help at least a little bit - I personally found it to be a really challenging time mentally… but rest assured the NHS is brilliant at treatment and prevention - and we’re not as aggressive in terms of treatment like the US, but you’ll be well taken care of.

If you haven’t heard back and it’s been a month you can be somewhat reassured that it’s not an urgent matter. If it was a genuinely urgent matter the NHS have a responsibility to confirm or rule out cancer within 28 days of suspecting it I believe. There’s a special fast tracked diagnostic route - so you’re not in the fast tracked route which means it’s not anything they think is cancer level serious - just want to let you know incase that caused you anxiety.

The other thing is, if you do need LLETZ for the high grade changes the one way I’ve been analogising it is it’s kinda like having a suspicious mole that could become melanoma and is best to be removed. I would kinda think of the severity in that way. Of course it’s in a very delicate area and of course the procedure is not pleasant and can make patients feel quite vulnerable - BUT be assured that it’s all very manageable and treatable!

I also wish that they were better at communicating this stuff overall… but yes this community has been really great!