[apple05]

Hi,

I am 46 years old, I had stage 2B cervical cancer about 1 1/2 years ago, and I was treated with radiation treatment (internal and external). I was doing good for a while, had regular checkups and pap smears and everything was fine. My last checkup was 1 1/2 month ago - the doctor said that everything looked good.

I have been having some pain in the pubic area for the past couple of weeks, and today I saw spotting blood on my underwear. Of course, I will try to see my oncologist asap, but it takes time to make an appointment, and I am worried sick. Does the blood mean that the cancer has come back, or could there be other reasons? Has anybody had a similar situation?

Thanks in advance...

[Wondergirl]

This could be perimenopause perhaps?

[apple05]

Well, they definitely told me that my ovaries will stop functioning and I will go through menopause - in fact, it started (I have not had periods since treatments finished).

But why would it cause bleeding?

[Wondergirl]

That's what happens with perimenopause. You might get a period every month and then nothing for eight months and then a little bit for a couple of months and then nothing for a couple of months. When you have gone for a full year with absolutely no bleeding, you can consider yourself safe from getting pregnant. Meanwhile, there are other symptoms that may be present and can continue after the periods have stopped.

Of course, because of your history, a checkup is definitely in order.