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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:

HarveyNickNacks · 26/10/2018 21:53

Totally agree! I'm so sorry about your friend. Sunbeds are the worst thing. I can't believe they are still legal and that people are still making money from them and the increased risk of skin cancer.

I shall re-focus my efforts on my DM's bunch of friends who are too outraged to put some poo in a pot! My DM isn't thankfully. She's as baffled as I am by their attitude. She's tried to talk to them but they apparently think its a 'disgusting thing to ask them to do.'

I work indirectly with the gov agency who funds this so I am appalled at the waste of them chucking everything in the bin!

Rochelaise18 · 26/10/2018 21:53

Went for one when I was first eligible. I have never been since. The reason being because, after explaining to the nurse that I couldn't even insert the smallest tampon on the market at that time, and had never had sex, we said she could try with the smallest speculum they had. She couldn't insert it as I was so tense that it hurt as soon as the speculum touched me.
As the situation hasn't changed in the years since, I have never had a smear. I still get the letters, I phone up the surgery and explain the situation, they promise it will be put on file and 3 years later I get another letter because they haven't made a note or maybe they think I'm lying about my sexuality and how much it impacts on whether the situation will change.

PurpleDaisies · 26/10/2018 21:54

I shall re-focus my efforts on my DM's bunch of friends who are too outraged to put some poo in a pot!

You’re doing good work there!

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

General health Women's health

HarveyNickNacks · 26/10/2018 22:00

You’re doing good work there!

Ha! I might not make myself popular but I don't care! It's only a bit of poo after all.

I'm sure the Queen gets her poo checked out fairly regularly!! She's probably at the top of the screening list...

bluetrampolines · 26/10/2018 22:02

Thanks for the reminder. I'm definitely due one.

RLOU30 · 26/10/2018 22:06

Feel such a idiot but I have my first one on the 12th Nov (I’m 30!) I’ve never been but just had my first child so have made the appointment at long last. :(

flatpack1 · 26/10/2018 22:13

I haven't had one for donkeys years as I had a hysterectomy but never minded having them back in the day. Doctors did them back in the day and I think I was relaxed about it as he had been our family doctor ever since i was little.

bump6 · 26/10/2018 22:57

Please have your smear test.
It’s only a few mins and yes it might feel embarrassing or a little uncomfortable, the nurses are used to doing this and chatting about the weather etc whilst it happens.
Cervical cancer is a hidden cancer. You most likely will not notice anything until it’s progressed.
My mum died from it. 5 months after diagnosis.
She was in her 70s, no smears are available at this age.
Please just have the test.

PanamaPattie · 26/10/2018 22:58

Perhaps the NHS should write to everyone that is offered the "poo" test first to see if they are happy to continue with the screening before they post the boxes.

NewName4personalpost · 26/10/2018 23:02

I have always found them absolutely agonisingly painful and the worst one ever was by the nurse at my local GPs surgery.

Then I started going to a CASH (?) clinic at the local hospital and they tried different types of speculum and finally they tried the smallest type they had (which I think is the 'virgin' speculum) and, for the first time in my life, it was actually okay. |I mean it was a bit uncomfortable/slightly painful but totally bearable and generally not that bad!

I was so relieved but now, three years later, I've got the letter again but have been informed that they no longer do them at the clinic so my only option is to go to my GPs where I've had a really terrible experience in the past and I'm assuming they won't have all these different sizes and types of speculums and someone experienced in helping women who have difficulties with smear tests - Just the nurse thrusting some huge, metal thing into you.

I don't know what to do. I know it's only a matter of minutes but it is absolutely the most intense, agonising pain like nothing else I've ever experienced.

User1983 · 26/10/2018 23:15

@FrightsaidRed I have the same problem. I had never had a smear but then bled during pregnancy and so had a smear and colposcopy and biopsy all in one (a month after giving birth) under general anaesthetic. I'm dreading my next smear as there is no way I can do it without being under GA. They tried gas and air but it did nothing. Maybe see if they will agree to do it under GA?

PurpleDaisies · 26/10/2018 23:25

Maybe see if they will agree to do it under GA?

The risks of a GA wouldn’t justify a routine screening smear. You might be able to get something to calm you down, mudazolam or similar.

HelenaDove · 26/10/2018 23:37

its more than a little uncomfortable for someone who is in a sexless marriage.

when i have smears it feels like razor blades. Last one was in November 2014

FinallyFree123456789 · 26/10/2018 23:46

Please book one!

I'm 30 - put mine off until this year - because I thought it would hurt / I was embarrassed.
finally went for one after watching my best friend have one - I was diagnosed with stage 1 cervical cancer.

Yes, the speculum hurt - the lady who done my biopsy told me to ask for an extra small one - instead of a small one - which stopped my pain / discomfort.

I will forever be in debt to the nhs for saving me.
I'm only 3 months out of my op from having it removed - waiting for my 6 month check up.

I honestly cannot believe I didn't have one at 25 because I was embarrassed - I'm more embarrassed now that I would have left my child without a mother - how selfish I was

CakeNinja · 26/10/2018 23:51

I’m avoiding mine.
Total head in the sand, but I’ve just had enough of people poking and prodding around up there (for other things), can’t face doing it again.
But I’m being a bloody idiot and know I have to book in. Binned my reminder letter last month. Stupid thing to do, just struggle to face more bloody uncomfortable procedures which I know, once I’m there, will be okay.

Hopefulsinglemama · 27/10/2018 09:24

I'm finally having my first one done..at 30! My mum unintentionally scared me when I was younger about them and it became easy to put them off and forget about them. However, I'm also hoping to have a child in the future so I know I need to get used to opening my legs for professionals and I know I need to look after myself. Bit nervous though, any tips??

marvellousnightforamooncup · 27/10/2018 09:36

I'm going next week. I had polyps last time so I have to go again.

HarveyNickNacks · 28/10/2018 21:39

That does not sound nornal HelenaDove i have a few friends who are celibate, and have been for years, and none report having such pain resulting from a smear test as you do. You should probably get that checked out.

BelaLug0si · 28/10/2018 22:46

@Rochelaise18 if you really don't want to be invited for cervical screening then you have to sign an informed decline consent form. Ringing the practice up and telling them you don't want one isn't enough, and it's why you keep getting invited every 3 years. They should have explained this to you. The practice can give you the form to complete.

Although I work in screening, I do understand that it is up to the individual to make the decision as to whether they want to be screened.
I will admit that (when I had a cervix) I didn't go very often because I found it incredibly painful. So I do appreciate (potentially) what every woman has been through for the sample that I'm looking at under the microscopy to be there.

Namastethefuckawayfromme · 29/10/2018 11:09

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster

cjt110 · 29/10/2018 11:18

Really pleased to read so many PP's are booked in, or talking about their fears.

OP posts:

FeminaSum · 29/10/2018 11:45

@Rochelaise18 if you really don't want to be invited for cervical screening then you have to sign an informed decline consent form. Ringing the practice up and telling them you don't want one isn't enough, and it's why you keep getting invited every 3 years. They should have explained this to you. The practice can give you the form to complete.

I'm in a very similar situation to Rochelaise and I never had this explained to me either. When I was first eligible my very nice GP agreed that as I hadn't had sex my risk was very low, and said I'd be removed from the reminder list but to get in touch if the situation changed in future. That was all fine. I've since moved and my new practice keeps sending letters/text reminders despite me repeatedly phoning up to decline/opt out. I'll ask for the specific form next time!

Thursdaydreaming · 29/10/2018 12:13

@HarveyNickNacks
You don't have to be exposed to the HPV virus to get cervical cancer or have multiple partners

If you are concerned about this, what is your view on the fact that the current pap smear test is changing to a HPV test soon, and has already switched over in some areas. Some countries switched over years ago.

IceBearRocks · 29/10/2018 12:17

I've just had my first smear test in about 4 years.... I've put it off because I had to change Gps.... But my friend has just been diagnosed with stomach cancer because she didn't make time for her to see the Dr!!!
Was shocked that smear too about 20 seconds if that and they don't crank you open anymore !!!!
Too me longer to get my Jean off !!!

Thursdaydreaming · 29/10/2018 12:26

Screening tests can be useful but it isn't that simple.

Not sure why when it comes to this particular test, it's popular to unnecessarily scare people. On another thread on here about this subject a while ago, a women who was a virgin and had had no sexual contact of any sort asked if she should have a pap test. Posters piled on telling her she was risking her life, one said she could have got HPV from a towel

Luckily cervical cancer is quite rare. Some of the most common cancers are breast, bowel and lung. You can greatly reduce your risk of these through healthy diet and exercise. If you want to avoid cancer this is the best place to focus your efforts.

You never see a thread saying "remember to eat healthy everyone - or you could get bowel cancer".

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