to not bother with a smear test

Maybe you want to join us over at the Stage 4 cancer post - it’s a barrel of laughs there and I’m quite sure every one of us would give up all our holidays to make sure we got seen. What an incredibly insensitive post OP

Wow.
You need a head shake.
Unbelievable

This
YABU

I don't think this is just the OP being awkward. It's partly the service she's being offered. I had a recent smear, and I was offered about 10 different possible appointments over a 2 week period. There may have been more - there was an early morning one thst suited me, so I didn't look further. This is a very different service being offered compared with 3 dates over the next couple of months. It seems different areas of the country have differing troubles with accessing service, and I'm lucky where I am.

I do know from past experience that our nurse appointments aren't shown more than about 6 weeks ahead, so I wouldn't yet be able to book appointments as far ahead as mid-January yet, so that could also be a similar problem for the OP - she may know she'll be back from holiday then, but she can't book an appointment that far ahead, because they haven't decided what appointments will be available.

(I had the follow-up colposcopy for abnormal cells today, so I'm waiting 4-6 weeks for results.)

I haven't had one for years, especially since hearing they only check for HPV now, and I've never had an abnormal result. However, in your situation, I probably would still have them.
Practically speaking, I see it that you have two options: Either get a home HPV test or book/pay for a private smear, then you can have it at a time/date of your choosing.

What would you advise a close friend, sister or daughter in the same situation? Yeah just leave it?

They've offered you 3 appointments and you aren't able to make any of them! What exactly is it you want them to do?

Just take half a day off and go to a sexual health clinic walk in centre op. You can do it locally or near your parents. You can get a copy of your medical records from your GP on an app. Take that with you and explain they need to look at the cells.

Or get an appointment in early January.

Type in your local area and smear. There are often different places you can get an appointment. There are in our local area but the GPs often don't tell people that - who knows why?

If you search for UK walk in smear tests you may well find one local to you. As I said you should be able to read and screenshot your notes online or request they be sent to you.

True But not always. I had abnormal cells removed with a leep procedure. Had to go back the following year for a smear. If I hadn't then they wouldn't have found that abnormal cells were back, I had to go under GA so they could try and remove more and biopsy them . Which turned out to be cervical cancer. I was fortunate that was caught early enough (1b2) that I " just" had a radical hysterectomy ( big op) but luckily didn't have to do chemo rads and other things. However had I not bothered to go for the smear it could have well spread much further

Either read your notes online and make a copy via one of the nhs or patient online apps. If you can't email and request a test there are private ones to be had within the next 2 weeks. I looked at random hospitals in different regions 2nd December onwards, many offer evening appointments. They are £180-200. But it's your health.
You can make an appointment though, it's not impossible.
Surely if you have been referred for treatment you can contact your consultant direct and ask for a smear test ?

For goodness sake... abnormal cells does not mean death.
A lot return to normal on their own.

Agreed. The rationale of, I'll just wait until my condition worsen, is f-ing ridiculous.
If OP can't manage a test now what will magically change in a few months? Children's needs could change. Parents' needs could increase. How does OP think she'll manage that with potential health needs herself? It boggles.

Cervical cancer survivor here (who had zero symptoms). YABU. Get an appointment as soon as you can after January. Trust me the procedures you have to have if you do get cancer far outweigh the inconvenience of a smear test.

Posts like this make me really fucking angry. My DSis got cancer at just 22 years ago. Thankfully she felt something was wrong and her GP listened and referred her for an early smear. The treatment that followed was horrific and the only reason she is still here is because it was caught early. I wouldn’t wish what she went through on anyone. Stop making pathetic excuses and book the test

OP, as you appear to have made your mind up I'm not sure why you've asked.

Also OP, are you willing to say which county you are in? (Again, just assuming you are in England).

If so, I can point you in the right direction of your areas Cancer Alliance. They work closely with Cancer Research UK Cancer Champions, who work in various settings such as GP surgeries, Sexual Health Clinics etc. I have previously worked in Cancer Alliance.

One of the main things Cancer Champions do is promote and organise cancer screenings. I’ve known many clinics and centres to have drop in cervical screening days.

If you are truly struggling to find an appropriate appointment please reach out.

Well you’ve already decided. So why are you asking?

It’s ridiculous that you’re not prioritising this smear test above everything else. You’ll struggle to work and look after family members when you’re dying of cancer. Drive the 300 miles. Go to the sexual health clinic. Go private. Stop making excuses.

You’re playing Russian roulette with your health, not a good idea.

You’re an absolute idiot, YABU

Have you located your local Sexual Health clinics OP?

Have you tried this route before considering private?

Your sounding like your putting up barriers to avoid the appointment

Most sexual health clinics do drop in clinics for smear tests

But will you have a clear conscience if things go wrong and you have to tell your "folks and kids" you're dying?