I was afraid of getting my Pap smear as my mum had CIN3 pre-cancer and half a hysterectomy. I didn’t know too much about it. At 22 I decided to get a Pap smear. I was told that my results showed abornomal cells changing and I would have to wait a year. At 23 years of age after my second Pap smear, I was referred to a gynaecologist for a colposcopy and a biopsy performed to rule out cervical cancer. I was informed by my gynaecologist that she thought through the colposcopy she got most of it already. About a 3-4 month wait and I had a cone biopsy procedure. I was told that a golf ball sized lesion was removed. I went to my check up and everything was fine. My gynaecologist informed me it was like I hadn’t had any procedure done on my cervix.
Another year later and I find out that I had abnormal cells again and I was at medium risk of developing cervical cancer. Now I am currently waiting hoping my body can fight it off. During this experience I was terrified as I hadn’t had children and wanted children and I also thought this would never happen to me as I had the vaccination. I learnt a lot from my experience and ongoing experience unlike last time I have a more positive outlook.
2020 update:
Casie’s last check-up showed no HPV present but CIN2. Her next check-up would not be due until January 2021 – as her baby is due! Congratulations Casie!