Anon, yes, the abnormal pain and abnormal pap could be related and it’s important to find out what’s going on. The need for a colposcopy is a medical need that has nothing to do with your age, and even if you were still a teenager your doctor would most likely want to do this procedure because of your abnormal pap results. You’ve mentioned that you have pain in addition to the abnormal results, and the cause of the pain remains undetermined, providing another reason for additional diagnostic tests.
A pap smear only screens for potential problems, the doctor needs to take a closer look at your cervix and vagina through a colposcopy as part of the diagnostic process to determine why you have abnormal results. While it can be uncomfortable, a colposcopy is a simple, 10- to 15-minute office procedure that is pretty much painless. The doctor uses a colposcope, which is a large, electric microscope, to view your cervix. You can learn more here: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/colposcopy/MY00236
While you may feel you are too young for diagnostic tests, I suspect you also feel you are “too young” to have cervical cancer, ovarian cancer or another serious illness. Unfortunately, cancer does not discriminate by age and your doctor knows this. We live in a time when tools are now available to detect, diagnose and treat serious medical conditions at an early stage and enable women to go on to lead full, normal lives.
I am a 23-year breast cancer survivor, and I know what it’s like to have “sources” tell you that you are “too young” for procedures. I also know what it’s like to have a clean bill of health, and live a full, normal life. I hope you will learn all that you can to empower yourself to understand the health conditions you’re dealing with and take care of your health. Good luck to you and please keep us posted.
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Anon, yes, the abnormal pain and abnormal pap could be related and it’s important to find out what’s going on. The need for a colposcopy is a medical need that has nothing to do with your age, and even if you were still a teenager your doctor would most likely want to do this procedure because of your abnormal pap results. You’ve mentioned that you have pain in addition to the abnormal results, and the cause of the pain remains undetermined, providing another reason for additional diagnostic tests.
A pap smear only screens for potential problems, the doctor needs to take a closer look at your cervix and vagina through a colposcopy as part of the diagnostic process to determine why you have abnormal results. While it can be uncomfortable, a colposcopy is a simple, 10- to 15-minute office procedure that is pretty much painless. The doctor uses a colposcope, which is a large, electric microscope, to view your cervix. You can learn more here: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/colposcopy/MY00236
While you may feel you are too young for diagnostic tests, I suspect you also feel you are “too young” to have cervical cancer, ovarian cancer or another serious illness. Unfortunately, cancer does not discriminate by age and your doctor knows this. We live in a time when tools are now available to detect, diagnose and treat serious medical conditions at an early stage and enable women to go on to lead full, normal lives.
I am a 23-year breast cancer survivor, and I know what it’s like to have “sources” tell you that you are “too young” for procedures. I also know what it’s like to have a clean bill of health, and live a full, normal life. I hope you will learn all that you can to empower yourself to understand the health conditions you’re dealing with and take care of your health. Good luck to you and please keep us posted.
August 30, 2010 - 5:41pmThis Comment
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