Apr
Chances of actually having cervical cancer? ( because they only take a small sample when doing the test) Cancer runs in my family. I'll be having a colposcopy in a couple of wks, my husband and i have just started trying for our first baby. What will this mean for our baby plans? Also would it have anything to do with having a enlarged lump on my ovary?
Answer:
I can understand that you are understandably worried and ill do my best to try and take most of that worry away!
abnormal cells on a smear does NOT indicate cancer. this is the short answer to your question. let me explain. firstly it describes abnormal cells which even if are premalignant can be very easily removed using a procedure which can be carried out at colposcopy called a long loop excision of the transformation zone (LLETZ)
granted that the sample taken is very small, but its taken from the cervix and is usually a pretty comprehensive sample believe it or not even though it is very small
the abnormal cells are divided into three categories referred to as cervical intraepithelial neoplasia or CIN. the three categories, 1 2 and 3, refer to how abnormal the cells are, and how deep down the abnormal cells are. this staging is carried out and determined by a cytopathologist.
CIN 1 is abnormal yes, but trials have shown that although abnormality exists, it is by no means pre malignant. depening on where you are protocols may vary but in general, most places will leave it, and survey it yearly insteady of three yearly. the reason for the percentage of women who develop cervical cancer after being detected with CIN1 is very very low and therefore not worth treating and it is better watch it closely. at the other end CIN 3, is premalignant and usually these will progress to cervical cancer if left untreated and therefore are removed using a LLETZ.
so you may still be worried, but please dont be because even if you are diagnosed with CIN3, it is NOT cancerous. this is why smears are done, so that something can be done at an appropriate time.
the lump on your ovary will be unrelated. cervical cancer has been shown to be caused by the human papilloma virus and this has no bearing on ovarian masses.
in terms of having a baby, it will not decrease your chances getting pregnant, but if there are cervical abnormalities during your pregnancy, this could cause problems such as bleeding and in some rare cases loss of pregnancy.
therefore it is wise to have it treated before you actually become pregnant, but like I say it is easliy treated at colposcopy.
I hope this helps ease your mind a little, and please remember that smears are done so that abnormalities can be detected and treated before they become problematic
Answer:
The chances of you having cervical cancer are low since they are precancerous cells. In February 08' I went to the doctor to get checked to see if I was in good health so my husband and I could start trying for a baby but they found that my pap test came back abnormal, precancerous cells. The doctor told me I needed to get a colposcopy and I did get one. They poured the vinegar solution and found 2 white spots and they took at biopsy of each (a sample). It came back that I have HPV (not genital warts) and inflammation. The doctor suggested I get cryotherapy but I told the doctor I wanted to see if my immune system would fight off the HPV because cryotherapy shortens the cervix. In 6 months, I will get another pap smear and see if it comes back abnormal and if it does then i would have to get cryotherapy done. Hopefully I'll be pregnant in less than 6 months. For now, my husband and I are trying to have a baby the doctor told me it's perfectly safe to do this. But only if you've had the colposcopy to see what is wrong with you. Good luck!
Answer:
If you have had regular pap smears, then i doubt that they would be cancerous. I have had several abnormal pap results, and everything was fine. I had a colposcopy also. I just had to have a pap smear every 6 months, then every 12 months, until they were gone. I would put your baby plans on hold, just until you have your colposcopy results. Your doctor will be able to advise you on what to do from there.
Answer:
Pre cancerous cells don't mean that it is cancer. It just means that if its not dealt with it can be cancer. What my doctor told me was that pap tests are the best cancer prevention there is. They can catch cell change much earlier this way than any other way available. A lot of time people have to have signs or symptoms to find cancer, but this way they can catch the cell change at the get-go.
I've had work done and have had no problems since.
Answer:
You should talk to your doctor, but maybe you should hold off a few weeks trying for the baby. I hope everything works out for you.
Answer:
Same thing with my mom. You should just wait a while and see what happens. The chance is probobly 50/50.