Abnormal smear test

[GlasgowGirl86]

I recently had a smear test which came back with abnormal results. I went for a colposcopy and had a biopsy taken as there was a suspicious looking area, still waiting on the results.
I likely have IBD but struggling to get a diagnosis. I'm just wondering if there's any correlation between IBD and abnormal smear test results? I know there is a link in immunosuppressed IBD patients but as I am currently undiagnosed I am not on any medication.
I wonder if it's just a coincidence that for years I've had normal smear test results and first smear test after my gastro issues start is abnormal?

 

[teeny5]

I haven't really heard a lot about any sort of correlation. Let us know I was what the result is...I am sure it is nerve wrecking waiting for the result!

 

[Jennifer]

There have been a few people on the forum mention it but as mentioned, I haven't seen a direct link. What I have found though is that some mentioned having sexual intercourse the day before the pap. That alone can give an abnormal result. It's recommended that you don't have intercourse at least 24 hours before your test. If this isn't the case for you then it's possible that there's nothing wrong at all so I'd wait until you know more.

 

[24601]

There is a Danish study that suggests that there is a link between IBD and increased risk of cervical neoplasia even without immunosuppressant treatment

Here are a couple of articles written about this study:
http://www.pm360online.com/study-found-two-way-link-between-ibd-and-cervical-cancer/
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2015-03/aga-fip032615.php

Hope the results of the colposcopy and biopsy are good

 

[GlasgowGirl86]

Thanks for all the info. I had a good read at those research articles and they were very interesting. I got my biopsy results and I have CIN3 cells which require a bit of my cervix to be burned off. Fun times.....

 

[Jennifer]

Sorry to hear that. Hope the procedure goes well when you have it done.

I'm not sure if this will help you or not but the 6th post down by member Cancer_Nurse_Lucy seems to be quite informative.
Particularly this portion, "CIN 3 is very treatable, and the aim of the treatment will be to prevent you from going on to develop cervical cancer.

You may have had changes to the cells on your cervix for some time, but it is difficult to say how long. As you wrote in your post, it is usually a slow process for normal cells to go through all the changes to become cancer cells. It has been estimated that this can take around 10 years. And not all women with CIN 3 will go on to develop cancer. The statistics about women who progress from CIN 3 to cancer relate to women who have not had treatment."
https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/ab...ad/cin-3-found-at-my-first-smear-very-worried

Hopefully your future paps will be all clear. :hug:

 

[teeny5]

Sorry to hear your results. Let us know how it goes.

 

[GlasgowGirl86]

Had my loop diathermy treatment today. Didn't feel a thing although I did have a vasovagal response to my cervix being poked at so felt a bit peculiar for a while. Sample has been sent off to check the margins. Gyn doctor says normally I would go back to my GP for a smear test in 6 months but because the CIN3 cells were quite widespread over different areas she wants to see me back at the hospital for my smear test. I have cramping pain but I have no idea where it's coming from because my guts were playing up this morning before my appointment. Hot water bottles and bed for me. Back to work tomorrow after 6 weeks off sick eeeeek!

 

[teeny5]

Glad to hear you are doing well after the procedure.

 

[tzvia]

How are you doing now?

Abnormal PAPs are caused by HPV, which is sexually transmitted. Crohns in itself will cause cause an abnormal PAP, but, immunosuppressive medicines, which many crohnies take, can affect your PAP test. See, most people to have HPV, but most people's immune systems just sort of keep it at bay and keep it at a level that is undetectable by a PAP and harmless. But if you have Crohns and you take an immunosupressnant drugs, it stops the body from suppressing HPV, and can cause an abnormal PAP. That is the correlation.

I had one abnormal PAP in my life, and it was while being on Prednisone for about 6 mo. My next PAP after that was normal.

 

[GlasgowGirl86]

I'm doing ok, thanks for asking.
I had to go back for a second time last month and have another bit of my cervix removed because they weren't 100% sure they got it all the first time. However I've just had my results back from that and everything is clear Just to go back in 7 months time for a check up.

 

[tzvia]

Glad to hear everything is clear