Can we talk about smear tests again

[guessmyusername]

For anyone who thinks they are too young or wonder what is the point. Apologies in advance to anyone for which this is a sensitive topic. My 31 year old niece has just been diagnosed with stage 2 cervical cancer. As a family it is devastating. She will shortly be starting treatment, but because of previous medical history it is not exactly straightforward. Please go for your checks, and encourage friends, relations etc to also go for them.

So sorry to hear about your niece, 31 is so very young, I hope her treatment goes well.

Smears aren't pleasant, they aren't fun, but they are so necessary.

I’m so sorry to read about your niece. I appreciate very much you took the time to share this with strangers. I’ve been getting reminders and putting them off. Finding the process excruciating isn’t a good enough excuse, I know.

If you haven’t already done so, I recommend the documentary that Hannah Fry recently made about her experience of cancer. It was very insightful.

Wishing your niece well.

I’m so sorry about your niece and hope she beats the cancer. Stage 2 has good prospects for a full recovery.

Youre right about the youth thing, in fact I think the age should be lowered to 18 or sexually active whichever comes first. Every year a few women in their early 20s go undiagnosed and die of cervical cancer.

Thanks for putting this up OP.
I had stage 3b cervical cancer in my early 30’s. Basically hadn’t had a smear test as I had been out of the country for years. Lucky I didn’t leave it another year as I would not be here now.
The consequences of not having a smear test can be awful - the treatment is invasive & painful, & you will not be able to have children as a result unless it’s caught at a very early stage.
So please please do get yourself checked out and make sure your kids have the hpv vaccine!

I'm sorry about your niece and thank you for bringing this important issue to attention again. I had precancerous cells removed when 28 years old after previously having had a normal smear at 25. Everyone should go for their smear when they get the reminder even if you are young/no symptoms/was clear before etc please don't put it off.