“It has been months. I have been thinking about going and do the test and for some reason I just not making the time to go. It’s not money, it’s like the battle of my mind. Then recently I am taking a shower and I passed my hand across my left breast and it felt funny.
“Well, you could imagine. Like I just went cold and numb at the same time. I said to myself that I have cervical cancer and breast cancer and that is the end of me. I start imagining my death, the funeral and how my children will be affected.”
The words of a mother of two in her forties. She shared with me her journey to have a pap smear and a breast examination and ultrasound. For her it was filled with anxiety and it is not over yet.
Why was she nervous and anxious?
“I hear so much horror stories about people who have cancer that I didn’t want to be one of them. I was feeling some discomfort in my vagina, like constant itching and right away I said it was cancer. But then I would read up on the symptoms and I would say to myself no man is not that.
“That was my constant battle. Then I heard about someone who had cervical cancer and I was like God I don’t want to know. I would say I have no pain during sex, I have no smelly discharge and I am like putting up all the argument in my mind why I should not go, or rather why I don’t have to go,” she told me.
“And mind you, I not talking to anyone, not even my husband. All these thoughts are in my mind. But you see that day when I felt like a tingling sensation in my breast it was like the dam broke. The only thing I didn’t do was cry. I made two attempts to speak to my husband, but like I couldn’t because I didn’t want to make all this real. Like verbalising it was making it a reality. I told no one for a while, it was just me and the thoughts,” she continued.
“But then one day I said today was the day and I called and made an appointment for everything and I was told I can just walk in. Well, walk in I did.
“I was so nervous and I don’t know if I was imagining it but like everyone, all women there also look nervous and like I just wanted to get up and speed out of that place. But I sat as cool as a cucumber; my heart was racing, and waited my turn. The nurse doing the intake advised that if I had unprotected sex within the last three days not to have the pap smear and I was like ‘no man I don’t want to wait’.
“I asked her if she was sure and she said she would not advice. I asked her if I could pay and come back within the three days, she said they don’t do that. Yes, I had sex the previous day so I just didn’t want to lie. You could imagine I was like deflated because I didn’t want to have to go back. I just wanted to get over with and done,” she said to me candidly.
“Anyways I went in and the doctor was nice. She asked me why I wanted the breast examination and I told her about the tingling in my left side breast. She asked if I had fever, if I felt a lump or if I was having any pain and I answered in the negative. She did the examination and said all seems well but just to be on the safe side I should schedule a breast ultrasound. It could be done right there on the same day and I agreed. I was about to leave and then I asked her if she did the pap smear too and she said yes. And I said ‘you know if I didn’t have unprotected sex in the last three days I would have gotten it done’. Then I repeated what the nurse told me. And she told me that was not an issue and right away she started preparing me for the pap smear.
“I felt like I got a small victory,” she said.
“That feeling was short lived because to tell you the truth I had the most horrible experience. It was just horrible. I don’t blame the doctor but it was painful and uncomfortable. I was told to get into position, and so you know you are at the edge of the bed, your knees and your legs are opened. I believe she used a plastic speculum at first and it was like she was turning and turning and I am feeling pain and being uncomfortable.
“She told me to relax and cough in my hands twice and then she said: ‘I don’t know what is happening but I am not seeing the cervix, just relax.’
“And I was like saying to myself ‘what is this?’. After a while she removed the instrument and told me she is using another and I would feel a coldness so I assume that it was a metal speculum then. And it was like she was winding up this thing and it was going up in me and I am like what is this. Pain and uncomfortableness was too much. I am holding the bed rail and almost grinding my teeth and she telling me to relax.
“And she said: ‘I am sorry but it usually doesn’t take this long, I am supposed to see the cervix by now. Have you been feeling any bearing down pain recently?’
“I told her no and asked why and she said she was wondering if, I can’t remember the word she used, but when I asked her what it meant she said she is not sure if the uterus shifted and maybe that is why she is not finding the cervix. I am like screaming on the inside by now because I wanted that thing out of me and she was still stirring and stirring and pushing…
“She finally took it out but that was not the end of it. She then told me that she will have to insert her fingers to locate the uterus and she did. After a little while she was like ‘oh there it is’. And then it was the metal speculum again and it was still taking so long and she said: ‘Come on cervix where are you? I am so sorry I hope this would not prevent you from having another pap smear.’
“I am like, you think! But after a while she was like, ‘finally’ and I am like ‘hallelujah!’ It took some time for her to remove the sample. When that metal thing was finally removed and I started breathing normally again, I slowly extracted my clenching fingers from around the bed rails and unclenched my teeth. The doctor kept apologising and she kept asking me if I was okay. I don’t blame her, I was just happy it was over. I hope to never have an experience like that again and I wish it on no one else,” the sister said.
“The breast ultrasound went well and thankfully I was informed that all is well. I felt so relieved and I am feeling so much better now. I have to await the results of the pap smear but to be honest I am just relieved that I had it done. Of course, I don’t know what the results will be but I am praying that it will be one that does not indicate cancer. I am happy I got both done and I would encourage women out there to get pap smears and breast ultrasounds done. Just do it, you can save yourself,” the sister said.
I couldn’t agree with the sister more, we have to take care of ourselves. I hope the sister’s experience does not deter anyone. Her experience will not be yours and she has indicated that once it is cancer free she will return in another two years to get another one done.
According to the Mayo Clinic general warning signs of breast cancer include:
● General breast pain
● A new lump in the breast
● Breast thickening or swelling
● Shift in the breast shape or size
● Changes in the nipple, or a nipple that begins to turn inward
● Discharge from your nipple
● Changes to the skin covering your breast, such as dimpling, puckering, redness or scaling
The clinic advises that if you notice any of these symptoms, you should contact your healthcare provider as soon as possible.
As it relates to cervical cancer, Mayo Clinic notes that when it starts, it might not cause symptoms. But as it grows, cervical cancer might cause signs and symptoms, such as:
Vaginal bleeding after intercourse, between periods or after menopause.
Menstrual bleeding that is heavier and lasts longer than usual.
Watery, bloody vaginal discharge that may be heavy and have a foul odour.
Pelvic pain or pain during intercourse.
It is advised that one should make an appointment with a doctor or other health care professional if they have any symptoms that worry them.
If you are a woman aged 21 and older and you have never done a pap test, please call the Cancer Institute of Guyana on 225-5701 or 225-5703 and make an appointment. You can also have a VIA done and this is free of cost at the VIA clinic located in the compound of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation. There are also 14 VIA clinics located around Guyana and those in other regions can check the regional hospitals for further information. Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh also announced that this year’s budget caters for an $8,000 voucher for women between the ages of 21 and 65 for cervical cancer testing. The Ministry of Health can be contacted on 226-7400. There is also the Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association on Quamina Street. Call 225-4743 for further information or you can walk in and get a pap smear done for $5,000 and a VIA for $2,500. A breast examination is done for the cost of $2,000 and a breast ultrasound for $6,000.
Sisters go get those tests done! You never know, so don’t hesitate. As we get older (and throughout life as a matter of fact) our health becomes our wealth!
