Well, I get a call from my sister yesterday who calls me maybe 5 times a year. She is 21, lives in the state of Virginia, and is a college student. She called to tell me about her recent pap smear. Her doctor told her that she has pre-cancerous cells on her cervix and they want to freeze the cells off and then cut part of the cone of her cervix off. Of course, being that I am a nursing student, she thinks I know everything. She is fairly calm about this, knowing that her situation could be worse, but wants to know about risks and about the procedure. Me, I have no clue. I told her to talk to her doctor and her nurse, but I know how she is. She probably won't ask any questions.
Can anyone tell me about this procedure and if it can be avoided or if she has to get it done? She has no children, and I am personally worried about her having kids in the future. Any responses would be greatly appreciated.
Dec 18, '02
I wish I had an answer to your question....I'd get online and start looking stuff up personally. And I am sure that someone on this board will be able to answer your questions as well.... although I can't answer your questions, I just wanted to wish you and your sister my thoughts and prayers. Hope everything works out for the best.
Dec 18, '02
I would not begin to advise for or against it.......I know not her medical history. But you DO want to do something about this and SOON......I wish your sister good luck! BTW have they discussed LEEP with her???? That is a newer method of treating dysplasias...(precancerous changes).
Dec 19, '02
I had it done in the dr. office after an abnormal pap. The only thing I remembered is it made me cramp and gave me a horrible case of diaphoresis (cold sweats and nausea too) which they warned me I would get. I had to wear a pad. My test came back no cancer.
renerian
Dec 19, '02
I had pre-cancerous cells on my cervix when I was 17. I had the LEEP procedure done. It wasn't that bad and supposedly I shouldn't have any problems when I want to have kids. The worse part was having to have all those extra pap smears every year for 3 years.
Sam
Dec 19, '02
i had that done when i was 19 and i've had 3 kids since then. so that shouldn't be a problem. they only froze mine. no cutting off anything! OUCH!! good luck for your sister.
Dec 19, '02
Thanks for the replies, everyone. The fact that some of you had kids all right put my mind at ease. To the links mentioned, I am going to forward it to my sister via email. I also discussed with a doctor about this and my mind is at rest concerning her situation. Education is such a good thing....
Dec 18, '02Occupation: CCU RN Joined: Sep '02; Posts: 1,039; Likes: 10I wish I had an answer to your question....I'd get online and start looking stuff up personally. And I am sure that someone on this board will be able to answer your questions as well.... although I can't answer your questions, I just wanted to wish you and your sister my thoughts and prayers. Hope everything works out for the best.
Dec 18, '02Joined: Apr '02; Posts: 38,750; Likes: 16,271I would not begin to advise for or against it.......I know not her medical history. But you DO want to do something about this and SOON......I wish your sister good luck! BTW have they discussed LEEP with her???? That is a newer method of treating dysplasias...(precancerous changes).
