Polite Reminder: Get your smear tests done!

[cjt110]

Just that really.

I saw on the BBC news this morning a lady who had her smear test done a few weeks late. Fortunately, her cancer was caught early enough and she is almost 2 years into remission.

It made me wonder about when my last one was - I must call and check.

Also, the sad storyline playing out in Coronation Street at the moment with Sinead.

So... Off you go. Go check. Get it booked.

And this link is from the author of The Patient Paradox - a GP who herself doesn’t attend smears and gives her findings -

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/features/why-im-saying-no-to-a-smear-7577967.html%3famp

Not read all the posts, but totally support OPs view.

I had a cone biopsy at 31 following an abnormal smear and only narrowly escaped it developing into something much worse.

Also, I’ve just supported DH through a lengthy course of radiotherapy and was saddened to meet at the treatment unit, a number of young (under 40) women having the treatment for cervical cancer. All of them discovered their problem through a smear test and some were completely symptom free when tested. This is not something you can ignore .... go and get checked out.

Do it now ..... please ....

Fright I'm sure you can pay for the HPV blood test. I had mine last week and it was awful, I was sweating, the GP was sweating and we actually had a celebratory hug afterwards! The weight off my mind when I got the all clear letter a week later was immense. She also promised me if I needed anything further I could be sedated or GAd

Thanks @fabulously, I will speak to them and see how they can help me get through it.

Does anyone else find them less-uncomfortable when using stirrups?

Yes Red, I had mine at sexual health clinic 3 years ago and found the fully 'Gynae set up' much more manageable. Unfortunately they won't do smear tests any more due to funding ffs

I had mine done recently, about 3 years overdue (no issues, I just never seemed to get round to it).

Was surprised to discover that they’ve changed how they do them (in my area anyway). They test the sample for HPV first. Only if that is positive do they then test for cancerous cells.

My letter said my HPV test was negative. As I’ve only ever had unprotected sex with my DH and been wirh him 20 years I’m assuming I’m very unlikely to ever get cervical cancer (unless he is unfaithful to me and gives me the virus!).

The practice nurse said to me that there are lots of changes and research going on into smears at the moment. They are theorising that in future women who Have had the HPV vaccine at school will only ever need 2 or 3 smears in their whole lives. Presumably to cover the teeny percentage of cervical cancers that aren’t caused by HPV.

Anyway, for anyone who absolutely hates them it’s reassuring, I thought. You could pluck up the courage to go just once and at least find out if you have HPV and weigh up your risk that way?

I'm due mine. Had my letter through a couple of weeks ago. Am putting it off,thought I'd wait until after Christmas. I find them excruciating. Never used to but since I had my daughter they have been really painful. The speculum going in isn't to bad,it's when they open it up and then take the sample. Also my cervix doesn't sit in the usual position so it's a job for them to get to it. It's so bad that it brings tears to my eyes and I'm shouting out no or shit because it takes my breath away literally. I dread to think what people must think when they walk past her room. Probably sounds like I'm being tortured 😖. Like I said they used to be a bit uncomfortable obviously like they are for everyone but since my daughter was born 12years ago they are really painful. I also have painful bladder syndrome which causes pains in the vagina,urethra etc so flares that as well. Obviously I know that I would be silly not to have it done but at the same time I'm so scared and I don't want to go through it. 😢. Like other people have commented that sadly they aren't as straightforward for everyone xx

@curlyhairedassassin that’s interesting. Again though if they bring in the very simple blood test to test for hpv that would avoid the smear altogether for those who don’t have it. I don’t see the point in being testing for rare cancers that most of us won’t have.

Margaret McCartney in her book The Patient Paradox actually states they’ve found cancer in many deceased people that they were totally unaware of and wasn’t their cause of death. Not all cancer = death or illness, sometimes it’s just there and you never know and carry on as usual.

I’m going to see if I can pay for hpv testing because that’s my first port of call really.

Just a little humour...

Lovethetimeyouhave I promise, it's over in like 10 seconds. I blinked and it was finished. Not at all embarrassing if you just think everyone has privates and this is just a nurse doing their job, and they see this all the time.

I haven't opened that cjt but as this is a smear test thread I'm going to take a wild guess and say it's another retelling of the glittery fanjo urban myth. No smear test thread is ever complete without a variation of the story

So I had a smear in January this year showing mild changes but no hpv. They asked me to come back in 2-3 years but I couldn’t wait that long as it was really playing on my mind.
Had it redone in September and it came back as normal. I was so relieved. Peace of mind and all that.
So even though I had no hpv I still went for a retest. Took 3 weeks for results (south east).

In the last 24 hours I've had a flu jab, a smear and a mammogram.

If I don't make it through the next year it won't be for lack of trying.

I put mine off for ages, then got unexpectedly pregnant, then put it off for ages after giving birth. When I did finally kick myself up the arse and go, I had widespread CIN III cells which needed two loop excisions to get rid of them (they recurred after the first procedure). If I'd put it off much longer I might well have ended up with a much bigger problem. I'd had no symptoms at all.

So yes - GO! Please.

@sidge you sound fab

Nurses at my gp practise are also excellent - my last was done after my baby was born and not ‘mid cycle’ as I’m still breastfeeding and on cerazette so no periods; this wasn’t mentioned as an issue.

But also, I had a difficult birth and serious birth injuries including prolapse which makes my cervix awkward to access. The nurse was brilliant, explaining everything she was doing, finding a comfy position and managing to get the swan quickly and painlessly despite my anatomy having other ideas - really don’t think nurses get the recognition they deserve for looking after whole people with emotions, as well as bodies.

*swab - no waterfowl were involved!!!

I ended up changing practice so I could have a smear test when it was convenient for me, not when the surgery had decided that I should attend (Wednesday, their smear clinic day).

I had my smear at my new patient check at the new practice. Sorted!

Aw thanks for the compliments.

I try really hard to make it as pleasant as it can be. I’ve had some shocking smears and they stay with you.

I was really chuffed recently to be shown a number of positive patient feedback slips mentioning me personally, especially concerning their smears. I’ve copied them for my portfolio for when I revalidate!

I'm ashamed to say that like @Lovethetimeyouhave, I'm petrified of having smear tests - No good reason aside from health anxiety. My GP has been on at me for YEARS !

3 weeks ago I had to have a smear as I couldn't have treatment for something else without one.

I took diazepam. It was fine.. quick and non painful. I've HPV but no cancerous cells (results were quick because of other treatment that I'm waiting for). I feel very lucky and a mixture of proud of myself and bloody stupid for leaving it so long. The nurse was amazing.

100% agree! Went for mine today, 2 young dcs in tow, but the nurses were very kind and had a nurse sit just outside the room with the kids (i left them with Choc and a book) while I popped in. Was in and out in about 90 seconds.

I am late 20s and have had abnormal cells picked up twice, had to have biopsy in the past but so far everything has turned out OK, fingers crossed it will continue to be good news and no problems.

I know some people find it embarrassing but the nurses who do the smears are the most wonderful people who put you at ease and the though of going is much worse than actually going.

Some posters are being very glib. Actually for some of us yes it does hurt and no it really doesn’t take 10 seconds.

evvvve yes forgot to say I had no childcare so also had baby in tow; healthcare assistant came and looked after him for me in the room so I wasn’t straining to hear him sail outside, but the other side of the screen so I wasn’t giving her an eyeful of my birth-scarred bits.

*wail (fuck sake, autocorrect!)