Posted by
annebin
20 yrs ago
Hey all,
Just wanted to share my personal experience with cancer, and hopefully I can help create awareness about the importance of early detection and regular pap smears. I know that this is still a topic not openly discussed because of the stigma of the disease, but I hope from this thread I can reach out to other women out there with symptoms but are scared to get a thorough check-up.
In 2003 during one of my routine pap smears when we were trying to get pregnant, my OB-GYN felt a tiny, tiny lentil-sized lump in my cervix. I have been complaining about abnormal bleeding during intercourse for the past 2 years, but ALL pap smears (every 6 months for 3 years!) and ultrasound results were clear. 95% of cervical cancer is caused by HPV (an STD), and normally this can be detected through pap smears.
My OBGYN suggested a cervical punch biopsy after she felt the lump, and 2 weeks after, the results showed malignant carcinoma, stage 1.
We sought medical advice from 5 different Gyne-Oncologist and 2 Pathologists to be sure that the results and recommendation were consistent.
Treatment recommendations included radical hysterectomy (so goodbye to my reprouctive organs), 6 chemo packs and 28 sessions of radiation therapy.
3 weeks after surgery, I started chemo and radiation which lasted for 3 months. I didn't lose my hair, my health was great, no blood transfusions required and I was able to proceed with my normal routine (minus the workout, and I had to quit work before surgery).
Fast forward to September last year..I was given a clean bill of health by my Oncologist and was considered cancer-free.
I intentionally made this thread factual and emotion-free, and will probably start another string to share my thoughts and feelings(hence the part 1 title...)
Being cancer-free for a few mnths now, I feel so blessed and want to give something back. I'm looking to join an organization (charity or otherwise) here in HK where I can offer support to patients or their families diagnosed with cancer. If you know of any such orgs, I would appreciate the links.
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None. The bleeding was not profuse either (and I didn't bleed every single time), so when pap smear results arrived, some of my previous Gynecologists concluded that some vaginal wall tissues were just ruptured.
Only 2 Gyne (out of maybe 6) recommended colposcopy, but I didn't heed both cos the pap results were normal.
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Hi annebin, thanks for your post and congratulations on being healthy and cancer-free again :o)
I just had a colposcopy last week after my gyno found abnormally formed cells in my cervix during a pap smear. I had not heard of CIN or HPV in my life before and I did not have any symptoms at all.
Well there's nothing I can do but wait at the moment. I get the results sometime next week. Good thing I'm not really the worrying-type...
I think what you are doing is great. Women should be more aware of cervical cancer and especially of HPV! I wish you all the best with your plans to support cancer patients and their families.
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Hi Natalya,
There is something you can do while waiting (aside from thinking positive thoughts)-- you can read up on CIN and HPV, so when you get the results, you can ask your specialist relevant questions.
From my experience, learning all I can about my cancer helped me cope much better with what I am and what I will be facing. I was able to understand more clearly what my oncologist was telling me, and just as importantly, I became aware of other treatment options.
I hope your results are nothing to worry about. Will say a prayer for your good health.
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Oyster, I forgot to mention that another symptom (which, fortunately, or unfortunately I did not have) common with cervical cancer is the presence of genital warts
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Thanks annebin for sharing yor story so candidly with us. Natalya good luck for your results
Hugs to you xx
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annebin, all our hugs and best wishes for your future health. i always look forward to your posts, and this one is typically candid, practical, and generous-hearted. :-)
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Thanks all, and hugs back to you guys :)
Raincatcher, this link might help:
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_4_2X_Can_cervical_cancer_be_prevented_8.asp
Cancer has changed my life in a positive way, it was a very enriching experience not only for me but also for my husband, family and friends.
I'm also thankful for the "body art" on my abdomen (a 6" vertical incision from the hysterectomy) because it is a daily reminder for me to take care of my 35-year old body.
As I'm menopausal already (surgical menopause has the same effects), I chose not to take hormones as they increase chances for developing breast cancer. I'm most fortunate that I don't have major menopause symptoms (KY jelly is a bedside staple though).
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Hi Pumpkin-- You are very fortunate that it has not graduated to cancer yet. Stay vigilant and glad to know you are being responsible :)
Great Find-- You too are very lucky to have gone for a pap smear when you joined that new company!
I've had normal smear results but the abnormal bleeding really bothered me so I would always mention it when I seek the advice of another gyno. While paps are supposed to be a good screening tool for abnormal cells, sadly, it's not fool-proof.
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I've heard rumors that there is a vaccine now available for HPV. But I just did a google search and (based on the bit that I saw), if the vaccine is available it is not yet widely available. According to one of the news articles I just browsed, 75% of sexually active women have been exposed to HPV. Because the HPV infection is so widespread in women who are already sexually active (and apparently once you have it, you have it and can't get rid of it), the group targeted as most likely to benefit from the vaccine is pre-adolescent girls. Particlarly, girls in developing countries where there is not any program of regular pap smears. Here is a link to one news article, but I've made no effort to produce really good "research": http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=36491
IF I recall correctly, there has also been some disagreement about how often a woman needs a pap smear. You are not a statistic! If it gets you, that's tough luck! So, err on the safe side -- get a pap smear once a year if you're having normal pap smears. If there's any abnormality, then more frequently.
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@@
20 yrs ago
Hi Casey,
Lucy Lord is my OBGYN, I really like her (she's not for everyone, granted) but she includes the HPV screening with all of her pap smears, of course you pay for it!
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Hi Natalya,
Hope your smear results were clear :)
Just wanted to share these latest news regarding pre-cervical cancer screening:
http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2006/NEW01338.html
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_30844.html
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I also have just had a CIN3 abnormal result back, after 15 yrs of negative pap test results.... I have to go in next week for the LEEP procedure - done under general paniced etc. BUT thankful to have found this before it turns - he seems to think I have 2 mths .... although at the same time annoyed that it wasn't picked up by my Gyn 17 mths ago (after my baby was born)... and then before we headed to HK 9 mths ago I had another through my GP (just for the hell of it)which was normal too. Only through problems TTC our second, did I go to a OB/GYN here in HK who picked this up by taking a routine pap smear of the COMPLETE cervical area,not just the opening resulting in CIN3 cells that have been there quite some time to develop to this stage. I am desperate to have the procedure but have to wait til after my period, however 6 week recovery and then try again for our second. Hell, as my OB said when I was upset learing the degree of cell abnormality "I think you will be pleased you came to see me".
Anyways, my word of advice is to go to a well respected OB/GYN for a yearly smear as well as GP.
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I know, i would prefer local, but apparently the area is too large - complete circumference of cervix. THat said, I really was uncomfortable when they took the biopsies - about 6 as my cervix is so thick it took a lot of pulling etc. How long does the LEEP take and what kind of recovery time? Hoping we can start to try for our second within 2 mths..? Might ask about local again - and maybe some happy gas would be nice!
Cheers
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Pumpkin,
Your health insurance covered the previous procedures? Why would they withdraw coverage? Isn't that the reason why people get insurance in the first place?
When I had my hysterectomy and chemo/radio, I was 3 months short of health coverage, since it was classified as a "pre-existing condition" and will only be covered after a full year of payment. Bummer...
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cheers for all that info pumpkin .... definitely will ask for local again, although Dr Ho seems quite emphatic that I should go under for LEEP and Cryo.... assume the procedures go hand in hand? Go in next Thurs. As for the injection in the cervix, is that the same as the several I would have had for biopsies - if so didn't feel a thing?
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yes costing me a bomb as don't have full coverage - another reason to NOT have the GA, but he is almost insisting - I guess he knows best! After regular smears - 2 in the last year, one of which taken by my OB after 1st child, the other GP - I will be spending the $'s for follow up smears with Dr Ho, as previously wasn't picked up!!!
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Count your blessings still that it didn't graduate to a worse grade. I would pay a hundredfold had I had the opportunity then to detect my case much, much earlier, and be able to save my reproductive organs..
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oh god, I absolutely do!!!
cheers
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I just had a pap smear test last week and I am praying that everything is going well.
natalya , hey I am in Shanghai too, would like to meet you for some info exchange.
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Rainy
19 yrs ago
Thank you all for all your posts ... I had a pap smear and ultrasound last year. Felt that the OBGYN who did the procedure was in a hurry ... I'm wondering if any of you can recommend one. Prefer a hospital since my insurance won't cover unless I get a referral letter from a GP..
Thank you so much!
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dear women,
my pap (thin prep) results just come in and my Geman gyn recommended to do a conization since the result was pap IV a. Since I moved to HK a week ago I need to know where would be a clinic or gyn where this can be done. Thank you for your advice.
(based in HK)
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