"Procedure stopped due to pain"

I had a hysteroscopy 10 years ago. It was excruciatingly painful and needed to be repeated under GA because they couldn't remove the polyp in outpatients.  Last summer I reported to my GP that I was a long time post menopause and had developed a strange discharge. I was given a swab test that was clear and no further contact from them - on investigation I think it was for sexually transmitted diseases! I was in my 70s!

I reported this again with another issue and the doctor recorded I didn't have a discharge. So by the time I had a post menopausal bleed it had been going on for nearly 6 months. GP was referring me on 2 week pathway which was actually 3 weeks.  I told them I wouldn't have OPH again, they wouldn't flag it and told me I'd have to take up with hospital.  So I received info about scan and hysteroscopy (which was, in my opinion, a ridiculous leaflet that didn't mention options of GA or severe pain) and turned up for appointment. 

Vaginal scan showed uterine thickening so in I went for outpatient hysteroscopy.  I made it very clear that I'd had a painful experience previously that had to be repeated under GA but was persuaded that things have changed in 10 years so "give it a go" which I agreed to. Needless to say 10 years on my cervix was no less compliant and the procedure was stopped due to pain.

I then had another 2 week wait for a GA procedure.  It was made clear to me during that procedure that I was in control and they did stop as soon as I said stop. But there was a huge time lapse from my first report to GP to my GA procedure where cancer was diagnosed which was slightly more advanced and required me to be referred to Royal Surrey for treatment. 

I would suggest that GPs should be more aware of gynaecology symptoms and engage more with hospitals they are referring to. I would also suggest that the hospital could introduce a triage programme to separate those women who are clearly not going to be suitable for OPH and thus save time and NHS money.