colposcapy??

Question

im 19 and had 2 paps tests that came back w/ abnormal cells im really scard to go get the colposcapy done i have been puttin it off for about 4 months i know thats really bad i got in a few weeks but im so scard to go and find out i have cancer like my mom did she was 28 when she got it and wasn't able to ahve any more kids after myself and my brother

what can i expect when i go in for this??
also if it does say cancer is it possible to have a child b4 they take all of my baby parts like they did for my mom ( i have already talked to my bf he said he wants a child and its ok if it comes to that we will start tryin)

thanks so much i hope you all check back to this im adding more...at first they told me i had to get a biopsies and then i got the paper saying i need the colposcapy...and i yes i know putting it off wont make it go away but that is what i was hoping for my mother did have a hysterectomy over 15 years ago but im very scard that it will come to that point and i really don't think i want to be alive if i don't/can't have kids

Answer 1

First, by putting the test off, you're only risking yourself. Do you think that by ignoring it or not getting treated, the illness will magically disappear??? If you DO end up ignoring the problem long enough, you WILL end up having a hysterectomy, and then you will NOT be able to have children. The faster you treat, the more likely it is that you'll be fine for future pregnancies.

To answer your questions:

1. the test is very simple; similar to a pap, it is slightly longer and you might have some discomfort from biopsies that are taken to assess the involvement of irregularities.

1a. Be aware the sooner that abnormalities are found and treated, the easier and less invasive it is. I had Stage II cancer and kept all of my reproductive organs. The treatment however was VERY aggressive and it took over 6 months. The faster you treat, the easier it will be.
BTW, there is NO law stating that you have cancer. Many anomalies are simply PRE-cancerous changes that if not treated in a timely manner WILL turn in to cancer....

2. if you end up being forced to have a hysterectomy (removal of the uterus), then you will not be able to have kids. DO NOT procrastinate. If the doctors find advanced stages of cancer, you will need immediate surgery to save your life.

Answer 2

The colposcopy in and of itself is actually less bothersome than the pap! They just swirls some vinegar on your cervix and look for white spots. No biggie. Now, if they decide to take biopsies, then it's a few really uncomfortable pinches and some nasty discharge for a couple days. I have had cervical cancer twice and I am still able to have children. I had the LEEP procedure where they go in a cut and cauterize pieces of the cervix off. It's a month of no sex and then you are back to normal. I'm not saying it's not awful. I'm not saying it doesn't freak you out. It does. Having it twice made me feel pretty crappy about being a woman. I suffered from guilt, thinking it was all my fault. But at the end of the day, there it was. I dealt with it. It's not that bad. Plus, the longer you wait, the worse it gets. Go in for your colposcopy. I promise it isn't as bad as you are working yourself up to be. It's just like a pap. Biopsies are a little bit worse than a pap. If you have to have surgery, it is still not THAT much worse than a really bad pap. You'll be okay. Avoiding getting a colposcopy is not going to make it go away.

Answer 3

I am so saddened that you are having to face this situation. As far as what to expect the best understanding of that would be to either visit the gyn office where it will be performed and to go with your Mom if you can or a best friend. There are occasions when time allows you to give birth to a baby before surgery to remove areas that would deny you that opportunity. The most important thing right now is a good relation with your MD/ GYN to ask those questions to get a second opinion for the possibility for giving birth as well as a second opinion for the results of your colposcapy. A decision for the surgery that might leave you without the ability to give birth should always be made after you have all the information that will allow you to make a sound decision for you and your family. My prayers will be for you best.

Answer 4

The test itself is not so bad. A little pressure. It is well worth the discomfort in order to find out what is going on. Medicine has progressed a lot since you were born. if it were cancer and it is caught early there is a good chance it can be treated etc. Prolonging it is the worse thing you can do. What ever it is will progress while you are procrastinating.

Answer 5

There was another question asked about this a few days ago that had some good answers. http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=ApDGTQ9zwWDzDScrCS1VRjUjzKIX?qid=20070821103501AAFKSny
If you've been keeping current on your paps, I wouldn't worry that you need any of your parts removed. More likely it's just a little spot they can easilly remove. But the longer you wait, the more it's going to spread, so if you're serious about having a kid go get get it taken care of now while it is just a spot.

Answer 6

I think you are talking about a colonoscopy. 1st you haven't been diagnosed with cancer. If you were they would have done the procedure a lot sooner. If you do have colon cancer it is better to get it early than later, probably your Mom didn't know about it for a long time. If you do have it they can take it out early and you can live a normal life after with babies and all. Cancer usually starts out as a polyp (a small group of abnormal cells)

You will have to clean your bowel with some stuff they have you drink it. No food the night before. They give you medicine to relax you and you won't remember it. You may have gas afterwards and some cramping.

Talk to your doctor or his nurse and they will explain the entire procedure. Good luck