Abnormal Cervical Cells

Paula's story

Abnormal cervical cells and treatment
Regular cervical screening is a family thing for me. My sister, mother and I have always taken up our invitation for screening as part of our health routine. There was never any question as to whether I should take advantage of the opportunity.

My tests had always come back clear until my routine screening in August 2007. I was 32 years old at the time and had attended my regular appointment, not thinking anything of it. However, a few days later I received a letter confirming that they had found abnormal cells on my cervix and that I was being referred for a colposcopy, a cervical examination.

The first thing that went through my mind was I must have cervical cancer. Three years earlier my sister had found that she had cervical cancer through a routine screening test. She had a hysterectomy, which was distressing, but now she has been cancer free for four and a half years. So when I got the letter through, I was absolutely positive that I had cancer. I felt really apprehensive about the investigation but forced myself to go.

The colposcopy confirmed that I had severe dyskaryosis, also called CIN3. At the time, they were unsure whether the cells had progressed to cancer and wouldn’t know until further investigations were carried out. They explained that if left, the abnormal cells had a 30% chance of developing into cancer if untreated. I also had a rarer abnormality called CGIN, changes in the glandular cells, higher up in the cervix.

Coventry University Hospital tried to remove all the cancerous cells, but we found that the abnormal cells went much deeper into the cervix than expected and they weren’t able to remove all the cells in one go. I was referred for a cone biopsy where the rest of the abnormal cells were removed under general anaesthetic. It was only after that biopsy that they were able to confirm that there had been no cancerous cells. That was the first time I really felt relieved throughout the ordeal.

Since then I have been back for two more colposcopies and both have found everything to be fine. I will now start screening again with my local GP once a year for the next nine years. For two weeks coming up to any investigation, I feel all the worry and apprehension come back and that does not really leave me until I am holding the results in my hands. But it does not stop me from going because I know how important it is.

I really hope that my story will make women take up their screening invitation. I don’t know why a woman would not take up the opportunity. Maybe it is because they are worried by it, but it only takes a few minutes. It’s not really uncomfortable and the benefits far outweigh any inconvenience. It’s really important to go for a screening. Both my sister and I are here today because of the cervical screening programme.