[chloesmum2008]

Does anyone know how having cervical cancer affects your chances of conceiving? I just got a call from my gyno with the results of my last pap smear and was told they found cancerous cells. I've been referred to the colonoscopy clinic for further analysis but apparently I won't be told when my appt will be for another few weeks. I'm still kinda in shock, my gyno appt was afew weeks ago so I thought since I hadn't heard anything I was in the clear. Has anyone else been through this?

This post has been edited by chloesmum2008: 27/11/2012, 12:46 PM

[Allymeg69]

OP, sorry you have received this shock. Do you know what level of abnormality is present? It is usually termed "CIN 1", "CIN 2" or "CIN 3", depending on how abnormal the cells are. Each of these levels, however, is pre-cancerous, not actually cancer as yet, but there is a risk that left untreated it could turn into cancer.

I assume you are being referred for a colposcopy which is another investigative procedure to look at your cervix, I had this done by my gyno in her rooms, a vinegar type substance is applied to the cervix, it might sting a little, and it shows up any unusual areas. Following this the doctor will know more about what treatment you might need.

Even if you have CIN 3, the usual treatment is a LLETZ procedure where the gyno uses an instrument to remove a thin layer of cells from right around the cervix. It is mostly done under light sedation, and recovery is pretty good. I had this done about 6 months before I conceived DS, and it didn't impact at all on conceiving or carrying the pregnancy.

Try not to stress too much at this stage, and good luck. Lots of women do go through this but thank God for pap smears that allow us to find these things before they do actually become really bad.

[minimae]

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Does anyone know how having cervical cancer affects your chances of conceiving? I just got a call from my gyno with the results of my last pap smear and was told they found cancerous cells. I've been referred to the colonoscopy clinic for further analysis but apparently I won't be told when my appt will be for another few weeks. I'm still kinda in shock, my gyno appt was afew weeks ago so I thought since I hadn't heard anything I was in the clear. Has anyone else been through this?

hi op,
Sorry you are going through this. I'm going to assume that your pap smear has picked up the pre cancerous cells, so apologies if this is incorrect. In terms of ttc, when I went for a pap smear prior to ttc, they picked up cin 3. I saw a gyno in a matter of days so Id be surprised they are making you wait so long if the test showed cancerous cells. I hope it is just the precancerous lesions as this is very treatable and whilst it will delay your ttc it wont put an end to it! I was given the all clear to conceive at my four month colposcopy post treatment.

Apologies this is so brief, I'm typing on the iPad so I hope it makes sense. I'd be chasing up your gyno about the results and getting them to clarify. Whilst it is rare for a pap smear to detect likely cancerous cells it does happen and it is important that this is seen to urgently.

This post has been edited by minimae: 27/11/2012, 01:52 PM

[chloesmum2008]

I don't know what stage it is but they def said cancerous. It had been almost 6 yrs since my last pap so they said if I'd been getting them regularly it would've been picked up a lot earlier and probably would've only been precancerous then. I'm going thru the public health system so it can take a lot longer to be seen by the colposcopy clinic than if I went private. I had to wait over 7 months for my initial appt when an ultrasound picked up uterine calcified foci.

[jai*]

Sorry to hear this, I hope you have some support at home.

Having cervical cancer shouldn't affect your chances of conceiving. The information I have at hand says it is very uncommon.
However it will affect the timing of any current/future TTC, and your pregnancy may be considered high risk. Depending on your treatment you might need a stitch in your cervix to strengthen it for a pregnancy.

But your doctor is the best person to be seeking advice on this issue.

I hope, despite going public, that you get some follow up care asap.

ETA my Mum had cervical cancer and fell pregnant after treatment.

This post has been edited by jai*: 27/11/2012, 02:42 PM

[minimae]

Op, I'm so sorry this is happening to you. If they have said it is definitely cancerous then you need to see someone as soon as possible. Perhaps you could go and talk to your GP about all of this?

Where abouts in Australia are you? I was seen as a public patient and I had an appointment for a colposcopy within days with a gyno-oncologist, and that was for cin3. I had the treatment, at no cost, about a week later. My case was fast tracked due to the fact I'd never had a pap smear before so there was a high chance it could've been cancer.

Wishing you the best of luck op, it's going to be a rough ride but with prompt treatment hopefully they will be able to treat it and preserve your fertility.

A good forum to look at is

http://www.jostrust.org.uk/

It is a specialist site for people with cervical cancer. Perhaps if you post your question there you might get some good advice.

Be gentle with yourself at this difficult time.

[MrsLexiK]

Does anyone know how having cervical cancer affects your chances of conceiving? I just got a call from my gyno with the results of my last pap smear and was told they found cancerous cells. I've been referred to the colonoscopy clinic for further analysis but apparently I won't be told when my appt will be for another few weeks. I'm still kinda in shock, my gyno appt was afew weeks ago so I thought since I hadn't heard anything I was in the clear. Has anyone else been through this?

I know a few ladies who have had cervical cancer in varrying forms. The one who caught it the earliest had to have her cervix removed or part removed I am not 100% sure I know it was a hell of a lot more then just scrapping the cells away. She did get pregnant after it (not actively TTC) and her GP informed her that she could carry to term but they would need to keep stiching her and lengthen some things. As she was already older by this stage and had had some children she choose to not go down that path and let the pregnancy run its course. If she had been younger or not had children then whilst it would have been high risk she may have been able to carry to term with the consent closing up stiches/stretching that would have been needed.

[chloesmum2008]

Hahaha I've just realised my fone auto-corrected colposcopy to colonoscopy :/

[Fossy]

I'd ring your doctor and double check the findings, did you get a letter? Your gyno should be able to do the colposcopy, mine did.

I had precancerous cells found, had a colposcopy 2 days later which showed cin3, then had a lletz 5 days later. I wouldn't be waiting, especially not weeks!! If it is cancerous it truly is a matter of life and death.

[chloesmum2008]

I'm in S.A. and am being seen at flinders medical centre. They're sending me out a letter with info about what happens next and when my appt will be. I'm on the wait list for a hysteroscopy aswell so they're guna do both at the same time to save me having to be put under twice (apparently its necessary there for both procedures). It's now too late but I'm guna call them back tomoro so I can ask how long it'll be till I'll be seen by the colposcopy clinic but I doubt they'll be able to tell me much as its in a completely separate building at the hospital. Was asked wen on the fone if I had any questions but was in shock so couldn't think of any but now there's so much I wana ask...