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FionaS 
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Joined: 17 April 2007
Location: Auckland
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 Topic: Abnormal Smears (not me)
Posted: 30 June 2008 at 1:10pm |
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A friend of mine had a smear come back abnormal and it was classed as a syn (??) 3. Apparently syn 4 is cancer. She had just had the test redone and it is still syn3 so she has to have her cervix scraped.
She is really really upset. Has anyone else been through this?
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shaz
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Location: West Auckland
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Posted: 30 June 2008 at 1:42pm |
Yep I had this years ago when I was 20 (now 39  )
Mine was Cyn 3 as well. I ended up having a cone biopsy which back then was done in day stay at National women's Hospital. It's not the nicest of proceedures but didn't take very long and only a little uncomfortable, I think I was more embarrassed than anything else.
I have been all clear ever since just have to have yearly smears instead of the usual 2-3 yearly (can't actually remember how often others have them)
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Mum to Natasha Aroha 9/12/1995, Alexandra Makareta Waimarie 22/4/1998 and....Alyssa Frances Hopaea 18/03/2007
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kebakat
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Posted: 30 June 2008 at 1:50pm |
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I can't remember if mine was cyn 2 or 3. I've had several copolscopies. Just tell her not to stress herself out too much. Mine has gone away by itself. It's just slightly embarassing. It's a teeny bit uncomfy (just a tiny bit more than a smear)
I'm like shaz, now have to have yearly smears instead of 3 yearly.
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Konagirl
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Posted: 30 June 2008 at 2:16pm |
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Yep, me too. Level 3, but was sorted at the hospital. I've been clear ever since, but have to have yearly smears.
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minik8e
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Posted: 30 June 2008 at 2:25pm |
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Me too - CIN 3, colposcopies followed by a cone biopsy and some of my cervix removed and the rest scraped. Was sorted at the same time I had a laparoscopy, so I was under a general for it, but it's usually just a local I think - just slightly uncomfortable. I'm on yearly smears now as well.
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cat007
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Posted: 30 June 2008 at 3:00pm |
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I used to screen cervical smears as a job before I started the family thing. I personally havent experienced this but I am on yearly smears because mine are always unreadable.
All I can say is, thankgoodness your friend had a smear done when she did and that it was discovered. CIN 3 is very treatable and is more common than most people realise. I wouldnt panic or worry too much as long as she is getting treatment for it. If it was ignored or left, then it would be a different story.
Also there are 4 stages of CIN cells before they are classed as invasive cancer. However, it is very hard to differentiate between the 4 levels and occasionally what some would call a CIN 3, others may call a CIN 2 etc. I hope this has put your mind to rest about your friend. I would just be there to support her and maybe hold her hand through the uncomfortable procedures to remove the abnormal cells.
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BuzzyBee
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Posted: 30 June 2008 at 3:28pm |
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I've had several abnormal smears, in fact I don't think I've ever had a clear smear! Can't remember if mine was syn 2 or 3 either but I've had colposcopies and they are a simple procedure where they basically snip a sample of the cervix to send away for testing and they smear iodine (i think?) over the cells to see what grade they are - cervical smears done at a normal dr's surgery can be a little misleading/not totally accurate. If your friend has HPV (wart virus) this is completely normal to have an abnormal smear, and can in fact mean you are more prone to getting cervical cancer later on in life. But I'd assume that IF she had HPV a Dr. or Nurse would have explained that to her.
Tell her not to worry, they have all diff procedures in place to prevent it from getting to the point of being full blown cancer, main thing is they have caught it in a semi-early stage, and my first guess would be that after treatment they will keep her on 6 monthly routine smears at her normal Dr's surgery...and she will be put back to yearly once she is all in the clear.
I too freaked when I had my first abnormal smear at 16, now I am immune to the news, I have HPV and whilst it's not something I'm overly proud with, I have to live with it. That's what happens when you make stupid decisions as a teenager. Bites you in the bum.
Hugs to your friend!
ETA: just re-read your original post Fiona and having the cervix scraped IS A COLPOSCOPY! Your friend will be fine, from there they will determine whether she needs the laser treatment.
Edited by Mum2Lucas
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mummy_becks
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Posted: 30 June 2008 at 8:06pm |
I have had CIN 2 or 3 I can't remember now. I had to have colposcipies every 6 monhs. Once I got pregnant with Andrew after I had him it all dissapeared. I had a smear last year, came back normal. But I still have to have them yearly or twice yearly from now on.
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I was a puree feeder, forward facing, cot sleeping, pram pushing kind of Mum... and my kids survived!
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Abnormal Smears (not me)
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