Eastenders' cervical cancer storyline

[MillontheFloss]

Just watched Eastenders and think it's pretty irresponsible to have a letter (visible in Tanya's hand) confirming an abnormal smear taken as being confirmation of cancer. I am quite familiar with those letters myself and never once thought I had cancer. Is it scaremongering?

[belledechocchipcookie]

Yup, it's scaremongering. Another not-thought out plot from the BBC.

[TheGoddessBlossom]

I think the point of the story that you are missing is that she is possibly massively overreacting - the Doctor was at pains to point out that an abnormal smear doesn't mean she has cancer, but she has chosen not to hear that bit....

[LynetteScavo]

Yes, she is massively over-reacting...but then she did nurse her father as he died of cancer. I think she will eventually realise she has been an idiot. People in EE aren't very good at going to their hospital apt when they think they might have caner, are they!

I've had those letters, gone for the colposcopy, and all has been well.

If you think you might be ill....see a doctor, people!


While we're on the subject of EE, and over reacting...Vanessa was a bit OT tonight.

[VirgoGrr]

I watched it interest as I've been there.
The wording of the script was fine but the dimmed lights, v. serious doctor face and voice of doom was a bit much I thought. I think if I actually had cancer, I wouldnt want to be told in quite such a funereal way.

When I was in that chair, I cried because I thought it was going to be serious.

I'm guessing that Tanya isnt going to have cancer and shes just going to make some mental decisions because shes convinced herself shes going to die.

[gregssausageroll]

No, she does have cancer as it also ties in with her being pregnant and not knowing if baby is Greg's or Max

[MillontheFloss]

That's it VirgoGrr. It is the graveness and lack of reassurance which I think is irresponsible. I remember how worried I was at the time (last smear was normal thank God) but the doctor was careful to reassure me that abnormal smears and slight changes were very common and as long as you follow up on appointments and have the colposcopy, problems can be dealt with early and it's nothing to worry about. The message from Eastenders seems to be abnormal smear= cancer. I know it's only TV but I imagine there are some worried young ladies out there who have recently had that letter sent out.

[VirgoGrr]

If Tanya is going to have cancer, the way they've kicked it off is very poor.

I was very upset at the time but the nurse who told me was very professional and I left knowing that it was something that they treat every day and that it's a minor op to put it right. And she was right. Not fun, but it worked.

[LynetteScavo]

Well, if the story line is that she does have cancer, then it has been done dreadfully so far. Where do they get the writers? Some parallel universe?