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• Cancer >> Cervical Screening >> Living with abnormal cervical cells >> Living with abnormal cervical cells

Living with abnormal cervical cells

• Clip
• Cancer >> Cervical Screening >> Age 60+ >> Interview 03 >> She was surprised how well she felt after her hysterectomy. She was not upset about needing a hysterectomy because she had two children.

Diagnosed with abnormal cervical cells in 1982-1987. Treatments given; diathermy loop excision, cone biopsy. Abnormal cells persisted. Treatment: Hysterectomy.

• Cancer >> Cervical Screening >> Age 45-59 >> Interview 31 >> After treatment for her abnormal cervical cells, a yearly check up helps her to feel confident that she is well.

Abnormal smear in 1987. Repeat smear normal. In 1992 abnormal smear, referred for colposcopy and diagnosed with abnormal cervical cells (CIN3). Treatment given; cone biopsy. Abnormal smear in 1997. Diagnosed with abnormal cervical cells and treated with diathermy loop excision. Yearly smears since 1998 all normal.

• Cancer >> Cervical Screening >> Age 31-44 >> Interview 27 >> She has had several inadequate smear test results over the years.

Abnormal smear in 1985. Diagnosed with abnormal cervical cells (CIN3). Treatment given; cone biopsy. Normal smear tests for seven years. Abnormal smear in 1992. Diagnosed with mild dyskariosis. Treatment given; diathermy loop excision (Inpatient). Several inadequate smear tests until July 2001 when laser treatment was given.

• Cancer >> Cervical Screening >> Age 31-44 >> Interview 27 >> Although it didn’t interfere with her life, she is always aware of when her next smear is due.

Abnormal smear in 1985. Diagnosed with abnormal cervical cells (CIN3). Treatment given; cone biopsy. Normal smear tests for seven years. Abnormal smear in 1992. Diagnosed with mild dyskariosis. Treatment given; diathermy loop excision (Inpatient). Several inadequate smear tests until July 2001 when laser treatment was given.

• Cancer >> Cervical Screening >> Age 45-59 >> Interview 25 >> After she was diagnosed with abnormal cervical cells, she reassessed her work/life balance and decided to work part time.

Abnormal smear in 2001, referred to colposcopy clinic. Diagnosed with abnormal cervical cells. Treatment given; diathermy loop excision. No recurrence.

• Cancer >> Cervical Screening >> Age 45-59 >> Interview 04 >> She now feels more able to speak openly about gynaecological problems with friends.

Several abnormal smears, referred to colposcopy clinic. Diagnosed with abnormal cervical cells (CIN 3) in 1996. Treatment given; cone biopsy. Abnormal cells persisted. Further treatments to remove abnormal cells. Last colposcopy showed no abnormalities.

• Cancer >> Cervical Screening >> Age 45-59 >> Interview 02 >> She now encourages young woman in her workplace to go for regular smear tests.

Diagnosed with abnormal cervical cells (CIN 3) in 1986. No treatment given but monitored with regular colposcopies. Test results showed CIN2 followed by a second recurrence of CIN3. Treatment: Cone Biopsy. Annual smears since. No further recurrence. Experience of doctors having difficulty getting adequate cells for smear test.

• Cancer >> Cervical Screening >> Age 31-44 >> Kim - Interview 37 >> Kim felt frightened, worried and had days when she felt down during investigations and treatment for abnormal cervical cells.

Kim had a knife cone biopsy in 2008 to remove three areas of abnormal cells; CIN2, CIN3 and CGIN. Her recent colposcopy examination showed no abnormal cells.

• Cancer >> Cervical Screening >> Age 31-44 >> Cathy - Interview 33 >> Cathy was reassured by the information she received with her abnormal test result letter. 6 months later she had another test which was normal.

Cathy had an abnormal smear test result in 2007 and she was asked to return for a repeat smear six months later which was normal.

• Cancer >> Cervical Screening >> Age 30 & under >> Interview 12 >> She felt terrified at learning that her abnormal cervical cells had progressed to CIN3 in a short time.

Two abnormal smears. Referred for colposcopy. Diagnosed with abnormal cervical cells (CIN3) 2000. Two treatments of diathermy loop excision given. Six month follow up smear showed abnormal cells. Referred for colposcopy. No treatment needed.

• Cancer >> Cervical Screening >> Age 31-44 >> Paula - Interview 35 >> Paula was very scared and at times during treatment she worried that her abnormal cells might turn to cancer.

Paula had CIN3 and high grade CGIN in 2007. Lletz treatment and a cone biopsy successfully removed the abnormal cells. Her colposcopy results in April 2008 were normal.

• Cancer >> Cervical Screening >> Age 45-59 >> Interview 25 >> Get enough information to put your mind at ease and don’t be afraid to have treatment for abnormal cervical cells.

Abnormal smear in 2001, referred to colposcopy clinic. Diagnosed with abnormal cervical cells. Treatment given; diathermy loop excision. No recurrence.

• Cancer >> Cervical Screening >> Age 31-44 >> Kim - Interview 37 >> Kim was concerned about her abnormal test result but talking to the nurse at her GP practice reassured her.

Kim had a knife cone biopsy in 2008 to remove three areas of abnormal cells; CIN2, CIN3 and CGIN. Her recent colposcopy examination showed no abnormal cells.

• Cancer >> Cervical Screening >> Age 31-44 >> Interview 06 >> Her abnormal cells disappeared after she gave up smoking.

Abnormal smear in 1994 referred to colposcopy clinic. No treatment given. Abnormal smears persisted referred to colposcopy clinic. Cone Biopsy in 1998/99: Last colposcopy showed no abnormalities.

• Cancer >> Cervical Screening >> Age 31-44 >> Interview 05 >> Ask your doctor questions and don’t worry until you know you have something to worry about.

Abnormal smear followed by 6 month repeat smear. Abnormal result. Referred to colposcopy with suspected inflammation in 2000. No treatment needed.

• Cancer >> Cervical Screening >> Age 31-44 >> Interview 29 >> She felt relieved about her diagnosis but a little anxious until she received her biopsy results.

Abnormal smear in 2000, referred to colposcopy clinic. Diagnosed with abnormal cervical cells. Treatment given; diathermy loop excision. No recurrence.

• Cancer >> Cervical Screening >> Age 45-59 >> Interview 22 >> She felt she was just unlucky to develop abnormal cervical cells.

Abnormal smear in 1998. Repeat 6 month smear normal. Abnormal smear in 2000. Referred to colposcopy clinic. No treatment needed.

• Cancer >> Cervical Screening >> Age 31-44 >> Laura - Interview 36 >> Laura describes her recovery from her hysterectomy in hospital and at home.

In 2006, Laura was referred for colposcopy and had Lletz treatment. In 2007 she had a cone biopsy for CIN3. In 2008, she had a hysterectomy.

• Cancer >> Cervical Screening >> Age 31-44 >> Laura - Interview 36 >> Waiting for a hysterectomy and worrying about her results made Laura feel very depressed.

In 2006, Laura was referred for colposcopy and had Lletz treatment. In 2007 she had a cone biopsy for CIN3. In 2008, she had a hysterectomy.

• Cancer >> Cervical Screening >> Age 30 & under >> Interview 12 >> Describes her feelings about the connection between abnormal cervical cells and HPV.

Two abnormal smears. Referred for colposcopy. Diagnosed with abnormal cervical cells (CIN3) 2000. Two treatments of diathermy loop excision given. Six month follow up smear showed abnormal cells. Referred for colposcopy. No treatment needed.

• Cancer >> Cervical Screening >> Age 31-44 >> Paula - Interview 35 >> Don’t be scared of the procedures and get as much factual information as you can.

Paula had CIN3 and high grade CGIN in 2007. Lletz treatment and a cone biopsy successfully removed the abnormal cells. Her colposcopy results in April 2008 were normal.

• Cancer >> Cervical Screening >> Age 31-44 >> Interview 27 >> Describes her experience of a cone biopsy to treat abnormal cervical cells.

Abnormal smear in 1985. Diagnosed with abnormal cervical cells (CIN3). Treatment given; cone biopsy. Normal smear tests for seven years. Abnormal smear in 1992. Diagnosed with mild dyskariosis. Treatment given; diathermy loop excision (Inpatient). Several inadequate smear tests until July 2001 when laser treatment was given.

• Cancer >> Cervical Screening >> Age 31-44 >> Kim - Interview 37 >> Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust was Kim’s lifeline during investigations and treatment. She advises other women not to bottle up their feelings.

Kim had a knife cone biopsy in 2008 to remove three areas of abnormal cells; CIN2, CIN3 and CGIN. Her recent colposcopy examination showed no abnormal cells.

• Cancer >> Cervical Screening >> Age 31-44 >> Laura - Interview 36 >> Laura describes her experience of diathermy loop excision (LLETZ).

In 2006, Laura was referred for colposcopy and had Lletz treatment. In 2007 she had a cone biopsy for CIN3. In 2008, she had a hysterectomy.

• Cancer >> Cervical Screening >> Age 31-44 >> Laura - Interview 36 >> Laura explains how she felt when she had another abnormal test result after having LLETZ and a cone biopsy and why she decided to have a hysterectomy.

In 2006, Laura was referred for colposcopy and had Lletz treatment. In 2007 she had a cone biopsy for CIN3. In 2008, she had a hysterectomy.