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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to not bother with a smear test

205 replies

setpieces · 20/11/2024 14:35

I'm supposed to have them every 12 months due to abnormal cells.

I cannot get an appointment at my GP practice. They have offered me 3 dates I simply cannot do (I'm supporting a parent having an op the week before Xmas, Xmas eve (still with parent) and 2 Jan (away with kids). It took an hour of following hopeless website and booking referrals plus a phone call (engaged) and callback to get this far.

By the time I get the test (assuming calling back at the end of next week as requested is successful) it will be 2 months after I got the letter then another 6-8 weeks for the results.

I might as well wait for the condition to worsen and refer for treatment in 4 months time.

OP posts:
Original poster
setpieces · 20/11/2024 17:23

Catza · 20/11/2024 14:55

Well, I am sure your parent is not going to mind you nipping out for an hour to attend an appointment but they may very much mind it if you decide to die because you couldn't be bothered to book a test.
And how would you be referred for treatment when your condition worsens if you haven't been for a test? For all you know, it might have worsened already.

I was on a 12 months schedule for a while. Last time, I had to go for two tests with my surgery and further two with a specialist clinic. The whole process took a year and I don't think any of it was a waste of time or effort. But it's your life.

Well unfortunately I live 300 miles from my parents. I don't think a health authority other than my own will do it.

I have just started a new job and every minute I spend wasting my time on hold/being told no is another minute to make up. Which is less sleep or less time with the kids.

Something has to give and at the moment it's my check ups.

OP posts:
DrDisrespect · 20/11/2024 17:21

I will never forget a poster I saw in my GPs waiting room..

"My mum missed her smear test, now I miss my mum".

With a picture of a small boy crying 😢

Clarice99 · 20/11/2024 17:21

YABU

You won't be any use to your parents or your children if you die

Amba1998 · 20/11/2024 17:20

Newshoos · 20/11/2024 14:39

Do a home hpv test. The lab only tests the smears that come up positive for hpv otherwise they don’t even look at them. If you are negative you have saved yourself a smear.

This is bad advice.

if she’s had abnormal cells I’m sure they will be doing more than just testing for HPV. That’s only really for those who have normal smears

Ravenbright · 20/11/2024 17:20

I'd never had any symptoms or cell changes before, and felt absolutely fine. Big shock when my smear was abnormal and had developed to CIN3. Was very relieved I hadn't skipped the test. Had the laser zapping and had clear tests ever since.

Original poster
setpieces · 20/11/2024 17:20

Richiewoo · 20/11/2024 15:05

Stop being a martyr and get it booked. You can make the time.

How?

No appointments, no guarantee of appointments. At the earliest with an assumed appointment time t mid Jan I won't get results until March.

OP posts:
Original poster
setpieces · 20/11/2024 17:18

Tdcp · 20/11/2024 15:05

it depends, are you hpv positive?

Yes

OP posts:
owlexpress · 20/11/2024 17:18

sharpclawedkitten · 20/11/2024 15:33

They don't grow THAT quickly. If the OP has it in January or February rather than next month she won't die!

I had one a whole year late because I had been pregnant and had my son and I did not want any more messing in that area for a while.

Edited
Show quote history

Agreed. OP is being dramatic saying she may as well wait 4 months until it worsens. Realistically waiting till after Christmas is unlikely to cause any damage. I'm in similar position, due a repeat smear but have been unable to attend the appointments offered. I'm on holiday for a few weeks, then it's Christmas. I'm going to book in after new year. As long as I go soon(ish), it's fine. But absolutely don't skip it OP.

bengalcat · 20/11/2024 17:15

Go for your test .

Cynic17 · 20/11/2024 17:15

OP, you can do whatever you like. It is your choice. But people on this site love to catastrophise, so asking this question here was probably not a good idea!

BobbyBiscuits · 20/11/2024 17:12

I'd only ever skip a test if I'd never had any symptoms or cell changes or anything before. And I could feel it was normal.
If you are having symptoms then leaving it for even a few months could end up being a life or death scenario. Is there not a GUM clinic or family planning clinic near you that will do one as priority of you've got symptoms? Please don't delay.

Ravenbright · 20/11/2024 17:09

Genuine question. If the OP already has abnormal cells - isn't it a question of monitoring incase of development through the stages? ( ie mild, moderate or severe? CIN 1,2,3 ?) . I had CIN3 and had them zapped pretty quickly after my abnormal smear by laser - but that was many years ago. Had my smears religiously after that.

BESTAUNTB · 20/11/2024 16:11

Your parent will want you to prioritise this OP

holdmecloseyoungtonydanza · 20/11/2024 16:09

Newshoos · 20/11/2024 14:39

Do a home hpv test. The lab only tests the smears that come up positive for hpv otherwise they don’t even look at them. If you are negative you have saved yourself a smear.

This is what I was thinking.

WeeOrcadian · 20/11/2024 16:05

YABVVU

Waterboatlass · 20/11/2024 15:44

sharpclawedkitten · 20/11/2024 15:33

They don't grow THAT quickly. If the OP has it in January or February rather than next month she won't die!

I had one a whole year late because I had been pregnant and had my son and I did not want any more messing in that area for a while.

Edited
Show quote history

She's already got abnormal cells. She needs to make time for a smear, not delay it.

Ravenbright · 20/11/2024 15:44

If you've already had abnormal cells, then regular monitoring is important. You do not want it to develop into cervical cancer, as others have said. Please don't skip it. Not a good idea. Try and get an appointment. Better to be safe than sorry.

Ella31 · 20/11/2024 15:38

sharpclawedkitten · 20/11/2024 15:33

Exactly this.

Ignore all the people on here saying YABU. I don't get the MN attitude to smear tests. Why on earth do you care what other people do? Get your own done regularly and don't worry about other people. And not having it done doesn't mean you will get cancer, it "just" means you won't find the precursors to it as quickly. MNers seem to think that not having smears = you will get cancer.

I am a little overdue with mine as I was having another health issue looked at but now that's resolved I will get mine (might try the home test first though). But I am lucky with my practice and I can make an appointment pretty easily with a nurse.

Show quote history

She already has abnormal cells. This isn't the time to faffing about with home tests

You are actually ridiculous. No one here said you will get cancer by not having a smear but it is a fact that early detection with Cervical Cancer is vital. Talk about down playing such a serious condition.

Rosieposy89 · 20/11/2024 15:35

My sister died at 32 this year from cervical cancer. She didn't go for smears. Please have the smear op.

Waterboatlass · 20/11/2024 15:35

Sexual health clinics can often do smear tests. Ask there. Don't mess about. Cancer is really shit.

TheTigerWhoCameToEatMyArsehole · 20/11/2024 15:35

I think this is a really ignorant attitude to have. Have a word with yourself.

Ella31 · 20/11/2024 15:35

Cervical Cancer is horrific. Get your test when you can. Inconvenience getting a test or dying of Cervical Cancer. No one would choose the latter. You are being silly.

Singleandproud · 20/11/2024 15:35

I would physically pop to the surgery, explain I was finding it difficult to book online / getting through on the phone and would they mind having a look in the calendar and book it face to face.

You already have abnormal cells, don't risk it.

Anonymouse10 · 20/11/2024 15:34
Hmm
sharpclawedkitten · 20/11/2024 15:33

cheezncrackers · 20/11/2024 15:32

This is more important than helping your elderly parent. I'm sure they would say the same. This is your life. If cancerous cells are detected at this smear you can have treatment straight away and you should be fine. Leave it more months and that might not be the case. Head on over to the cancer thread for those with stage 4 if you need further convincing. Nothing is more important than this.

They don't grow THAT quickly. If the OP has it in January or February rather than next month she won't die!

I had one a whole year late because I had been pregnant and had my son and I did not want any more messing in that area for a while.