Talk

When are you meant to start having smears? I'm 24 and never had one?

Its 25 YeahBuddy. I was doing my booking in yesterday with the midwife and it came up. I cant have one for another 2 years.

In Scotland it's either 21 or 23, I can't remember. Your first should be 3 years after you first had sex. I had to fight for one at 18.
I'm in Scotland btw, so not sure about elsewhere - but I would advocate fighting for one - jade goody was only 27 or 28 when she died from cervical cancer.

In England you start having them at 25, every 3 years. When I had my first child at 20 I also had one as part of my postnatal check as it was routine for that PCT, but it isn't offered where I live now.

I had my first routine one this year having put it off, I was so scared, but my doctor prescribed me diazepam and that really helped!

You need to have one asap. In some areas they don't 'allow' you to have one until you are 25 but it varies. Check with your GP (just ring up reception and they will give you the info)

I had a smear at 16 (frogmarched down to the GPs after I announced to my sister I wanted to go on the pill - she told my stepmum (nurse) and I think they were trying to scare the heebiegeebies out of me)

I had abnormal cells. I needed treatment. It wasnt pleasant. But lord knows what would have happened if I'd left it another decade.

Am I right that you can't have one when you're pregnant? I've just been sent a reminder but I'm 20 weeks, it'll have to wait till after the baby, won't it?

I had one done last may. It came back abnormal and I have the hpv virus. I then fell pregnant and couldn't have a smear. Had it repeated last Friday. I have been spotting since so getting a bit worried. I'm 33 and have 5 kids one who is 4 months old.

CailinDana, you will need to wait until after your baby is born. Ask your midwife when you next see her. Congratulations on your pregnancy

Thanks MrsRimmer

Sparkly when do you get the results?

I was 16 when I had my first one and pregnant. Not at all sure why they done it at that time, I think it was at my first hosp app so at around 10/12 weeks??

It picked up abnormal cells so spent the rest of my pregnancy shitting myself. After many years of repeated smears, biopsies (loops and cones) and ops under GA to remove the cells I've very recently went back on a 3 year roll call and never miss getting it done.

I know someone in their mid 40's who's NEVER had one, she's had 5 DC fgs I don't understand her.

My friend persuaded me to get on with booking mine. She had repeated abnormal cells, these were then found to be precancerous and lasering didn't work, eventually she had a hysterectomy in her late 30s (thankfully she had completed her family so it was an easy choice) - not saying that to scare anyone but it is very persuasive knowing that if she hadn't had smear tests she may well be very sick now.

Good luck with the news Sparkly

Thank you Mrsacerimmer this is a good idea.

On the back of this thread I've just phoned my docs to check and the receptionist was able to tell me by very quickly checking my record it was last done in (month) 2010 so due again next year (I'm in Scotland too)

To anyone who thinks urgh / sore / not got time, none of those are good enough reasons to do something that may possibly save your life, and be around longer for your kids (nag nag nag)

I nag about it too. I don't have my 6 month repeater back yet, but the nurse noticed some unusual marks around my cervix, so referred me back.
Good luck to all those waiting on results. If caught early, abnormal cells are very treatable

They start at 21 in Wales, ladies, so if you're over 21 and have never had one, harass your Gp surgery.

There is no point really getting one much under the age of 25, since in young women the high rate of cell change is often mistaken for abnormal changes, and unecessary treatment can be the outcome. Your chance of being treated when you didn't need it is far higher than your chance of any problems at that age, the rate of cervical cancer in that age group is tiny.

They aren't being withheld for any other reason that it isn't clinically indicated.

The nurse said 7-10 days. Not sure if she meant working days.

I remember getting the letter last year. I knew before I opened it that it was abnormal. Not sure how but I just knew. The nurse explained what happens if this one comes back abnormal again (six month recall) and if its progressed what happens too. If I wasn't spotting I wouldn't be worried but I'm nervously waiting ATM.

<hugs> Sparkly. My Dr wasn't happy waiting for the 6 months, so pushed for the colposcopy. I'm glad he did, they found CIN 2 & 3 cells!
I'll wait with you, it's a horrid wait.

Thanks. I remember the fear last year when I opened that letter. I cried all day. My dp came home from work and read the letter and calmed me down explaining that it could just be an infection. I only found out I had the hpv virus when I went to the gp to say I was pregnant in oct. Ov that changes things as it can cause cancer.

But they know you have it, so I'm sure they will keep a close eye on you (or at least your cervix )
I cried when the Dr phoned me, , glad that we seem to have a very proactive practice.

Mine came back NORMAL So relieved.