A month or so after i was diagnosed with BC I had a Abnormal Pap test come back. I have had several biopsies done as the gyneo found three white lesions two on the cervix and one on the uterus. He did say he thought they might be fine, but still worth checking thoroughly. I got my final biopsy results on Friday and got the all clear that they were all non cancerous and just some long word which he explained was when two different types of cells join they cause a leision in the middle. This then can become cancerious. He was so nice (and a good looker too) and has booked me in for yearly biopsy and ultra sounds for piece of mind while i am on Tamoxifen. Good news Cheers Jo xxx PS: Tamoxifen is a worrying drug/ Women are 5 times more likely to get aggressive uterine and liver cancers when taking tamoxifen. This is high odds isn't it?

Good news about your pap smear-what a relief.I'm naughty,keep putting it off. But I'm certainly not getting it done this side of Christmas.What I have read is that 2 in 100 could get uterine cancer on Tamoxifen as opposed to 1 in 200 for normal population.I might have those figures wrong so will have to recheck.I don't know if that equates to your 5 times odds.None of my doctors speak of it or suggest liver function blood tests etc.Think I might ask for a blood check as it's been about 15mths since I started Tamoxifen.Yes it worries me too Jo.I doubt that I'll stay on it for 5years.Not so long ago you only took it for 2years. We are damned if we do and damned if we do and damned if we don't. Tonya xx

Hi Tonya, i am really naughty too like you as that was my first pap in, i dont know ,about 12-15 years or so. I hated having to have them, so i didn't. Even after my neighbor died of cervical cancer i still didn't have one. I only had one due to being diagnosed with BC. My daughter dragged me along. I was scared when first told of lesions, but once the gyneo looked and said he didn't think they were growing like cancer i was ok with waiting for a biopsy and results. There is not one part of my body that is sacred now , i am so over cancer! It was this gyneo that i am seeing that said using tamoxifen will make you 5 times more likely. I don't know if he is right or not as the Internet sites all say different. Tonya have a read of this site that explains about Tamoxifen http://www.all-natural.com/tamox.html I am just over the side effects. I am still so lethargic (not sure if tamoxifen is to blame) and sick of the hot flushes despite the small benefit of using gabapentin. Just heard on TV "Today" morning show that there has been a breakthrough with using two drugs to shrink the breast tumor and sometime totally eliminate the breast cancer from the body. This might eventually be used instead of chemo. I Can imagine the side effects!!!!! Cheers Jo xx Ps: Tonya you do need to book in for a pap this week.

Hi Robsue, I had read about it and the chemist told me It is one of the serious side effects of Tamoxifen unfortunately, but I wasn't told by anyone else until i went to gynecologist. My GP did not even say anything, but then again he told me he knows nothing about breast cancer etc. (dumb ass oops!! sorry) . The aches and the hot flushes are just the pits hey! I have put on 6 kg since starting tamoxifen in August. Not sure if it is that or menopause or the fact that i am so lethargic i just sleep all day. Have a read of some of the sites about tamoxifen and it's side effects. Cheers Jo xx

Well you really are a bad girl going more than 12yrs without a pap test.I've been going 2yrly but missed out this year because of moving house etc(I know,no excuse)But like you ,I am sick of having my body probed by aliens! I read the article on Tamoxifen that you sent me.Wow,what a worry.I did know alot of the side effects but was prepared to take the risks as this is my second bout of b cancer.But I've decided not to take it beyond 2 years. After that I'll take flaxseed tabs.I took them after my first bc for about 5yrs and then stopped.I like to think it was helping cos cancer didn't come back for 7yrs. I've put on about 4kilos since starting Tamoxifen.I'm tired alot too and when I tried to come off my endep tabs the hot flushes were worse and I felt depressed.I tried to go to 20mgs of endep but it made me way too groggy.So I'm staying with the 10mgs and I only get a few flushes aday and 1 or 2 overnight if it's hot.So I can live with that.I'm not going to rock the boat! Tonya xx

So glad to hear your biopsy turned out negative Jo, you and I are in a similar boat regarding the time and type of BC we both HAD! I note you have started your Tamoxifen and I have started (the dreaded) Arimidex about two weeks ago. I remember your help and kind words when I was having a bit of a panic attach about starting the Arimidex. As we all know Tamoxifen and Arimidex both have their own nasty side effects and dangers, but hey, are we game to go without them, not this little black duck! I must admit that I have been fortunate as the only side effects I have had are a tiny bit of nausea and feeling quite tired the last couple of days. I was actually thinking it may have been an after effect of radio, as I sailed through it quite easily (except for the nasty burns), but I guess it is more likely to be the tablets. I may be one of the lucky ones' who doesn't experience the horrendous side effects, but I will wait and see as it is early days. We really have to do everything possible to keep this horrendous illness at bay. Hugs to you all, Dale.

Abnormal Pap test | BCNA Online Network

19 Replies

Anonymous
14 years ago
so sorry for the late reply...only just spotted your post! Yes my initial bc was er+ and pr+. My understanding is that my 2nd diagnosis is the same, but this is still being confirmed. Yes liver function blood tests (and kidney i think) are all part of my standard check-ups which is good, as the liver is a common site for bc to spread to. As for doing chemo again, this time is sooooo much easier! In fact, its a walk in the park compared to AC chemo that I had first time around....now that was a NIGHTMARE! The naturopathic supplements im taking have really helped with the side effects....the nausea stopped straight away and i have much more energy than before. I do crash a few days after chemo though....i get very tired....but i seem to bounce back quicker which is good. I dont have a lot of support at home, which i really feel when i crash. I usually do everything at home, but my daughter who is 13 has had to do some crash courses in cooking etc and she's had to help out more which I think is a good thing. If you aked her though, she probably wouldnt feel the same!

Hope you are going well Tonya. Bye for now, Celeste?
Pennybryn
Member
14 years ago
Thanks Chris,

My lump was about 11mm from memory and was not aggressive. Mine was (fortunately) picked up on ultrasound but the surgeon couldn't believe it was a lump. Like you I find this site brilliant, but I must say I am concerned at the number of ladies who get BC a second and third time. I too am a worry wort, or a stress head and for quite a long time now I have been considering a preventative mastectomy as a precaution. I have my first three month appointment shortly with my oncologist and my surgeon, who is a delightful man who specialises in BC. I think I will mention my thoughts to him, but expect him to poo hoo the idea. I just feel that I will worry myself crazy if I don't atleast check it out.

I have no family history of BC, don't drink or smoke, but I am a major stress head.

Is this operation claimable as I have top health cover?

Many thanks, Dale xx
Chris
Member
14 years ago
Hi Dale, like you, I had early breast cancer with no spread to my lymph nodes. I started out with a lumpectomy, but the tumour was much bigger, at 21mm than the 4 mm they thought they were after. It was also a very aggressive grade 3. With much thought I decided to have a mastectomy then and more nodes removed to see if the cancer might have jumped the clear sentinel node. This also meant that I probably wouldn't require radiotherapy if the mastectomy was done. My other reason for going down this path was that this tumour hadn't shown up on a mammogram, so I did become a bit paranoid about other cancers not showing up, and also scarring on the breast from the lumpectomy could also look or feel like a cancer. I was relieved that the mastectomy didn't find any more surprises, and that all 10 lymph nodes were clear. I came out of hospital on Christmas day 2010. I had discussed the other breast with my surgeon, and he said he would remove it if I desired. First he wanted me to deal with the chemo, so 6 months after I had finished this I went back to him, and also a plastic surgeon. I teamed them both up and in one surgery, my breast surgeon took off my breast , and my plastic surgeon put in tissue expanders on both sides. Reconstruction with silicone implants give a good result when both breasts are done. If only doing one, you generally need surgery on the remining breast, to lift it up to try and match the silicone one. I decided that I would always be worried about scar tissue , and my Surgeon shared my concern. Some surgeons are against preventative mastectomies, and some are for them. Some may require you to have counseling first. It really is your decision, and if your quality of life is going to lessened due to worry, then I think it is your right to do what you want. Being on this site for the last 8 months has shown me that cancer can come back, and as I am a worry wart it was the right decision for me. Love Chris xx
Pennybryn
Member
14 years ago
Hi Chris,

I am so thrilled for you, that after a chosen double mastectomy you are thrilled with your new boobs. What a sense of relief you must have in preventing a new breast cancer. I had a diagnosis of early breast cancer in August last year, I had a lumpectomy and some nodes were taken but the cancer had not spread at all, I also completed a course of radiation. As my cancer was Estrogen ++ I am now on Arimidex, fortunately to date with no side effects.

My problem is, that like every other woman on here, I am petrified of it returning. This thought is always on my mind and I have given a lot of thought to having a double mastectomy. Is this something that you can request of your surgeon as a preventative, or are there certain criteria you must meet before this would even be considered? If you could fill me in that would be great.

Once again, congratulations on the new boobs, I am sure you feel a new woman. I commend you on your brave decision, but what a relief it must be!

Dale xx
Chris
Member
14 years ago
Hi Debbie, good luck with all your tests today. I'm sorry to hear about your sister now with her cancer. Cancer really suxs. I just wanted to tell you, that I had all my taping off yesterday, and I'm absolutely thrilled with my new reconstructed breasts. Like you want, I also chose to have a second mastectomy and insertion of tissue expanders. All this was done in September last year, and last week I had the expanders out and the silicone implanted. I can't tell you how happy I am with the result. I'm back to my old 14 B, and as both were done together, they are the same size and sit very evenly on my chest wall. the Dr told me to expect them to take 3 to 6 months to settle down and become softer. As I am already delighted with the results, it is hard to imagine that things are supposed to get even better. Now, with the chemo and this behind me, I feel like I have done everything possible to prevent a new cancer from coming. I feel very happy to have fake boobs now, and a sense of relief that I have had this double mastectomy. I have no regrets what so ever. All of this has happened over a 14 month period. I too am on femara, and hate the side effects, but feel that is a small price to pay for the added protection it gives. Good luck with everything. Love Chris xx
jo1234
Member
14 years ago
Your being such a trooper Deb. You have had so much done and are still having to put up with more tests. Yes it is never ending hey! but i was luckier than you and have still got my boobs thank god. I have my first 6 month check up in February so hopefully that will go ok and i can try and move on with life after cancer. It does scare me a little about what they might find as i really do not feel very healthy at all. How long were you on Tamoxifen before they allowed you to go onto Femara? Is Femara as bad as tamoxifen with side effects?

Good luck Deb with everything that is coming, cheers Jo xx
Debbie_J
Member
14 years ago
So over tests . Having cancer marker tests tomorrow and kidney and Liver tests. Have them 4mthly. Then in March full body scan. It never seems to end. On waiting list to have the other breast off and reconstruction 6-12mths.

I had a hysterectomy in July , as I did not want to have to worry about cervical cancer. Was on Tamoxifen , now on Femara. So many side affects.

In March I am coming up to my first year. What a world wind and a emotional roller coaster ride. I would not have got through it without the support of all you lovely Ladies on this site.

Cancer really sucks my sister was told on Friday she has bowl cancer.
TonyaM
Member
14 years ago
Yes,yes,I know I have to get it over with.My daughter, her fiance and their crazy cat moved in with us about 2 weeks ago.It's been bedlam here as I STILL have tradies coming for this and that. The two cats don't get on so we have to keep them separated-that's a full time job in itself! My high hopes of keeping my lovely new house clean and tidy have gone down the drain.The Y generation is soooooo untidy.Still,it's only for 6 months or so till their new home is built.We leave for Europe for 5 weeks on March the 11th.I see my oncologist early Feb for a checkup so don't want any nasty surprises.Hope you are keepng well and not gone mad yet from hot flushes!

Tonya xx
jo1234
Member
14 years ago
Hi Tonya, just a reminder to you that is time for that dreaded pap smear. Tamoxifen has some nasty side effects so best you go and get checked before your holiday ha ha LOL Cheers Jo xx .... I was so bored i needed to write something. Hope everything is going fine,
Pennybryn
Member
14 years ago
I really can understand you being "over the totally cancer event", but when I feel like that the best medicine for me is to go and visit my little grandsons, Max is two and Lincoln is three months. As you know, time with the little ones takes your mind off things for a while and makes everything seem okay, I look at them and tell myself that they are two of the best reasons I have for fighting this mongrel of a thing, but the thought of this dreaded illness is never far from our minds. I can only hope that as time goes by, our fears might fade a little and we can start to get on with our lives.

With kind thoughts, Dale xx

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