AnxietySufferer
27-06-21, 14:50
Hi.
I recently had a smear test come back as HPV high risk positive and low grade abnormal cells. This was my first smear test and I was vaccinated in school so it was a bit of a shock :scared15:
My letter says that I will get a referral for a hospital appointment (Coloscopy). My health anxiety keeps making me freak out that the smear test was wrong and that the abnormal cells are actually high grade, or that they have progressed to high grade in the 2 months since my smear (silly i know they are slow growing). But I feel I wont be able to relax until I have been checked over which can take up to 8 weeks.
My mum actually had high grade cells removed when she was just 21, she then also had a 2nd lot removed. So, it is freaking me out a bit that this hasn't been picked up untill I am 25. Feeling angry that I have been told not to worry because I have been vaccinated and that is why the age was made higher, yet I have still got a high risk strain that has caused abnormal cells.
I know this is common and cervical cancer is the most preventable cancer. But I don't know how to stop convincing myself its a death sentence. Also because I am such an anxious person I know this is not good for the immune system. I am gonna give up alcohol and keen taking my vitamins but I don't know how to stop freaking out about it.
Any advice much appreciated.
Also as a health anxiety sufferer... cannot help freaking out about other HPV related cancers. Anal, throat, vulva etc even tho i know these are very rare in my age group and cervical cancer is the most common HPV related cancer, I always convince myself i will be the exception to 'most'.
I recently had a smear test come back as HPV high risk positive and low grade abnormal cells. This was my first smear test and I was vaccinated in school so it was a bit of a shock :scared15:
My letter says that I will get a referral for a hospital appointment (Coloscopy). My health anxiety keeps making me freak out that the smear test was wrong and that the abnormal cells are actually high grade, or that they have progressed to high grade in the 2 months since my smear (silly i know they are slow growing). But I feel I wont be able to relax until I have been checked over which can take up to 8 weeks.
My mum actually had high grade cells removed when she was just 21, she then also had a 2nd lot removed. So, it is freaking me out a bit that this hasn't been picked up untill I am 25. Feeling angry that I have been told not to worry because I have been vaccinated and that is why the age was made higher, yet I have still got a high risk strain that has caused abnormal cells.
I know this is common and cervical cancer is the most preventable cancer. But I don't know how to stop convincing myself its a death sentence. Also because I am such an anxious person I know this is not good for the immune system. I am gonna give up alcohol and keen taking my vitamins but I don't know how to stop freaking out about it.
Any advice much appreciated.
Also as a health anxiety sufferer... cannot help freaking out about other HPV related cancers. Anal, throat, vulva etc even tho i know these are very rare in my age group and cervical cancer is the most common HPV related cancer, I always convince myself i will be the exception to 'most'.