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Original poster

Polite Reminder: Get your smear tests done!

155 replies

cjt110 · 23/10/2018 10:19

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.

OP posts:
cocoallure · 25/10/2018 09:35

Smear test should be pushed in my opinion. I skipped mine for 2 years. I am currently dying of stage 4 cervical cancer. Leaving my child motherless. I never thought this would happen to me. I'm 33. They could visibly see the tumor in my cervix when I went to eventually have my smear but even treatment didn't help. 3 sets of radio, chemo and countless surgery and I'm still dying. Think I'd rather have a quick smear to be honest!

Bacardibabe · 25/10/2018 09:43

The nurse at our practice says she doesn't care what it looks like down there "it's not a date! " Grin she's fantastic and has a great poster on the wall to look at whilst lying sideways on the bed.

Mildmanneredmum · 25/10/2018 09:45

@Fright - please don't let whoever carried out your horrific abuse now affect your future health. I hate it too for the same reasons, but I take a shedload of (prescribed) medication, practise some relaxation exercises, the nurse uses a smaller speculum and I go for it. That bastard is not going to be responsible for my cancer going undiagnosed.

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Original poster
cjt110 · 25/10/2018 10:02

Stupomax Star

Aridane I don't think anyone is saying it negatively and is trying to encourage others. I most certainly am not saying that people are being soft or otherwise as I understand there can be a whole reem of issues behind why people don't go.

@PurpleCrazyHorse Have you booked it yet?

@NoHufflefucksGivenMugglefucker Can you speak to your practice nurse about your fears?

@cocoallure Flowers I'm sorry to hear your prognosis x

OP posts:
Ignoramusgiganticus · 25/10/2018 10:14

coco Flowers so sorry.

I had cervical cancer 5 years ago but was lucky enough to have it picked up by a smear test at stage 1b. A radical hysterectomy sorted it and I didn’t need chemo. Thank God I didn’t leave my smear longer overdue than the couple of months I did. That period of my life was awful, especially the period when I knew I had cancer but not how bad it was whilst waiting for further results.

10 in 1000 is actually quite a lot! I know some people have difficulty with having them but I am living testament to the worth of them.

Samcro · 25/10/2018 10:15

im trying to book mine now. keep being told to ring back in a few days as no appointments....arghhh

PurpleCrazyHorse · 25/10/2018 10:24

@cjt110 - thanks for the nudge, just rung up and booked it now. Next Wednesday afternoon Grin

PurpleCrazyHorse · 25/10/2018 10:28

That's a nervous grin....

Original poster
cjt110 · 25/10/2018 12:16

@Samcro Can you go to your local family planning clinic?

OP posts:
Original poster
cjt110 · 25/10/2018 12:17

@PurpleCrazyHorse Star Good lass

OP posts:
BelaLug0si · 25/10/2018 14:44

Data from the cervical cancer audit (NHS CSP) demonstrating the effect of screening
health.spectator.co.uk/dont-knock-smear-tests-cervical-screening-saves-2000-lives-a-year/

HarveyNickNacks · 26/10/2018 20:34

I'm sorry but if you don't take up the free health checks and screening provided by the NHS then you are a fucking idiot - women and men. Phobias and trauma aside of course. I would expect anyone in those circumstances to be provided with additional support to be able have those tests and procedures where possible. Which won't always be possible, I know.

Do your own due dilligence and risk assessments by all means but I prefer to have exerienced scientists in a lab reviewing my samples. If it comes back that I may need treatment then I will research options and maybe ask for a second opinion before I go down a particular treatment route.

This is as bonkers as my DM's friends who think the poo in a pot test for bowel cancer is 'disgusting' so throw them in the bin. Wasting tax payers money to produce them and send them out. Yet if they develop bowel cancer futher down the line they'll be the first to complain and it will cost a shit load more to treat them than it should have done if had been found ealier.

I've just had my appointment through for my first ever mammogram. Another diagnostic test which isn't very pleasant. But I'm bloody well going. I lost my best friend to breast cancer.

PurpleDaisies · 26/10/2018 20:36

I'm sorry but if you don't take up the free health checks and screening provided by the NHS then you are a fucking idiot - women and men.
I am not a fucking idiot. I have made a reasoned decision based on my personal risk of cervical cancer verses the risk of overtreatment. Screening works on a population level. It’s not necessarily worth it for everyone.

iVampire · 26/10/2018 20:49

I have a different cancer - spotted early on during tests for something different.

The difference between the treatment regime for me, when compared to someone for whom the same condition had accelerated, has made me realise (at a true, deep level IYSWIM, not just knowing with your head and/or paying lip service) just how important it can be to catch things early.

Now, you might like to follow what PP suggests and try watchful wait rather than immediate treatment. But you would be making that decision based on knowledge and facts. You might not have that choice with a later diagnosis, where your options might be considerably more extensive/hostile treatment or death.

Summerisdone · 26/10/2018 20:59

YES, everybody make sure they go. I'm 29 and only just had my first SMEAR because it always felt too inconvenient; I live quite rural and because I don't drive it took me 3 1/2 hours from leaving home to getting back because his times are shit, and I had to take my 4 yr old DS (that was rather awkward).
Now I hate myself for not having been sooner because my results came back saying I have CIN III and had to have the Lletz procedure just last week, now I'm very nervously waiting for the results back from that Confused

HarveyNickNacks · 26/10/2018 21:01

PurpleDaisies

How have you evaluated your personal risk exactly?

You don't have to be exposed to the HPV virus to get cervical cancer or have multiple partners. It can occur spontaneously. The colleague I mentioned who died aged 21 had only one sexual partner. She was also his first sexual partner. They'd been together since they were 16.

I know there is the HPV link to this form of cancer but it's not the be all and end all. Screening saves lives. Read some of the posts on this thread that say exactly that. It's your choice not to have those tests however.

When you've watched two friends die from cancer and worried yourself sick when your DC has had cancer twice, I'll admit that it's a bit difficult to read that someone who has access to screening and potential early treatment doesn't think it worthwhile.

PurpleDaisies · 26/10/2018 21:16

How have you evaluated your personal risk exactly?

Non smoker
One sexual partner in a monogamous relationship
Generally healthy
Not that I have to justify it.

I was a doctor and I have another science degree. I know what I’m talking about.

PurpleDaisies · 26/10/2018 21:17

What happened to your friend was tragic and I’m sorry for your loss. Flowers

It’s highly, highly rare though.

HarveyNickNacks · 26/10/2018 21:32

Fair enough. But my colleague who died aged 21 from cervical cancer:

Non smoker
Teetotal
One sexual partner in a monogamous relationship
Very healthy. Runner and gym regular

And no doubt most of the OPs on this thread who have been diagnosed with cervical cancer can say much the same.

Anyway. Go for screening tests or don't. It's a personal choice. I just think it's daft to pass up an opportunity when it's available.

Woman or man. Smear, bowel, prostate or breast.

PurpleDaisies · 26/10/2018 21:35

As I said, the circumstances of your friebds death were awful.

The NHS has this to say on its site...
The risk of cervical cancer is very low in women who have never had any kind of skin-to-skin contact of the genitals with either a man or woman. As the risk is so low, women in this group may choose not to have cervical screening when invited.

Dh and I are effectively in that position. It’s a totally valid choice to make. Being called “daft” or a “ducking idiot” for making that choice isn’t on.

PurpleDaisies · 26/10/2018 21:36

And no doubt most of the OPs on this thread who have been diagnosed with cervical cancer can say much the same.

No, most people will have had HPV which comes from sexual contact. It’s verh unusual for two virgins who haven’t been intimate at all with anyone else to marry each other.

HarveyNickNacks · 26/10/2018 21:38

Thank you PurpleDaisies

I know it's very rare at such a young age. She was incredibly unlucky. But it has made me a bit 'bossy' about getting people to go for smear tests when they are called for one because she was denied one as she was too young.

I appreciate this may not always be appropriate but I just don't want to see anyone else go through what G and her family went through. It was horrible.

Thank you Flowers

PurpleDaisies · 26/10/2018 21:40

I appreciate this may not always be appropriate but I just don't want to see anyone else go through what G and her family went through. It was horrible.

I lost a good friend to melanoma before she was 30. Sun bed threads really get to me.

In the vast majority of cases, screening is a good thing. Smile

puppymouse · 26/10/2018 21:45

Been psyching myself up since May. Booked finally for three weeks' time. DH coming as I'll be doped up on Diazepam which GP prescribes me just for these.

For anyone who's as terrified as me - I had CIN 2 show up smear before last. Was referred for Letz procedure etc and they did it under general so I wasn't aware of anything. I got through it. Has to be done but  for anyone scared to book.

Exexexcel · 26/10/2018 21:49

Yyy. Having had a number of smears and three (four?) colposcopies due to dodgy results I can confirm they are not exactly fun- but when I think of the alternative I make sure I book in and just get on with it.