Do you go for smears?

[Fieldoftrees]

O only ever had one smear test when I was in my 20s. I meant to go back a few years later but I never did. Then it was an appointment that I was meaning to make for a long time but then sometimes my schedule and then where I am in my monthly cycle just quite simply doesn't allow it. I know its excuses but it's genuine. Then it slips my mind and I forget about.

Lately I am getting emails from my gp practice with reminders about the smear. I know its something that I probably should be doing but I am nervous too.

I have similar problems. Commiserations, it sucks.

I find them unpleasant but always go. I'd rather have a cold speculum than a cold grave.

I'm always at least two years late getting mine, it's always such an ordeal to find my cervix. They managed on the 6th attempt last time, with a swap of nurses in the middle as it was so tricky. I'm almost 50. And that is that. I won't have them anymore. I'll get the swab for HPV from Superdrug instead. Although there are rumours that the NHS are going to roll out home kits anyway and only call back those who test positive for a proper smear.

I never went for smears until a nurse caught me when I was having my contraceptive injection and asked me to have it there and then and I just did. I was found to have cervical cancer - which I was lucky to have removed within a biopsy. That nurse saved my life as I don’t know whether I would ever have plucked up the courage to have the smear myself. I had no symptoms and no family history and was only in my 30s. I was so lucky it was caught in time and I didn’t need a hysterectomy or radiotherapy. Could have been a very different story.

I had mine a couple of weeks ago, it's not nice but I would never not go.

Lovely nurse doing mine this time, we had a bit of a laugh about socks on or off (she doesn't care either way) and I snort laughed at how ridiculous it is to tuck my knickers under my folded trousers in case she sees them!

Agree with PP for me, the thought of it is always much worse that the appointment.

I used to ring up and get one in a few days time - now it's 3 - 4 weeks wait! My periods are irregular and when you have to book so far ahead it's a nightmare, I had to cancel one and was right on the cusp for another.

No I don't. I'm super low risk anyway. They even offered to put me on the opt out list.

Always. I had some abnormal bleeding recently and had to have another one done a year after my last one. The silver nitrate treatment hurt much worse but luckily all clear

Yes and I feel so grateful to have them for free.

I’ve only had good experiences with very friendly and warm hearted nurses so I hope that’s the case for you. You can absolutely say you’d prefer not to do it and book elsewhere if that’s not the case.

You can also go private for around £200 (in the south east)

@Sarah2891 , can I ask, what puts you at a low risk?

I always go for mine.
One of my close friends died from cervical cancer at age 40 and left behind 3 children.
She went through hell

Yes! Probably saved my life as I had the beginnings of cervical cancer.

Yes, without question. Same with a mammogram. It takes a matter of minutes but so worth it.

As others have said, grit your teeth and go, and then have a treat after. Then forget about it until you get the next reminder.

Thank you for all of your replies.

I'm going to get a free spot in my schedule tomorrow and make and ring the gp practice for an appointment for next week.

Yes as I've had abnormal cells removed in the past would never miss one personally

I would be nervous not going frankly. You really need to go.

Always go when invited. It's not pleasant but I just remind myself how much worse it could be if there was a problem. I'm not sure I can understand the logic in not having a smear because you don't want medical treatment? They can pick things up early which can be treated more easily/successfully.

Good.
Hopefully you won't find it too bad, a lot of women don't.

Went regularly, but not sure I will ever have another one. The last one was so painful it was traumatic. I think because I am in menopause.

Never again. I don't have HPV, they can never find my cervix, it takes ages and it's traumatic and painful, all for a sample that won't be checked for cancer anyway because it doesn't contain HPV. What's the point? I'd be more willing if they actually looked at the bloody thing!

Just checking my NC and my next post may be triggering to some women so a warning in case anyone wants to scroll past (rape/sexual abuse).

I read before you should weigh up if the potential trauma of having it done (pain, assault victim etc) is more than your likely risk of developing the cancer e.g family history.

Yes and I go annually out of choice (which I pay for privately) because I've already had 3 diagnoses of cancer. My oncologist (who specialises in gynaecological cancers) advised me to do this, as she does the same. When I asked why, and surely the routine screens were enough her response was "It isn't always enough and I've seen what it's like too many times to want to go through it myself".

I also get a full HPV screening when I go each year too.

For all the people fortunate enough not to even have an inkling of understanding (or who minimise women's fears with cliches) as to why some women are unable to have a smear, I'll try to explain a little bit. I am very sorry for people who have lost loved ones to cancer or have bad results/treatment etc so I really don't want to be insensitive, just explain to some people who don't realise.

I was raped when I was 14. This only a brief explanation as I actually can't talk about some of it. I absolutely feel unable to be in a vulnerable position like a smear, even if it was a female HCP or even if there was a chaperone. I also can't go to the dentist or have anything like a colonoscopy for the same reasons/past experiences as not all rape is vaginal or involves just one perpetrator. I was also abused/raped as a young adult later.

For some women though there is no "consequence" serious enough to make us actually able to endure procedures like smears. And yes, if we could have treatment for mental health support it would make physical treatments easier. Doesn't always work like that. I went to the GP for help (and I needed the MAP) and her first sentence in response was "you know you should be more responsible". I was fucking 14 for fucks sake.

Funnily enough I was recently asked to have a colonoscopy after some blood test results and actually plucked up the courage to explain very briefly to the consultant (female) for the first time. She was wonderful. I'm having scans instead and if I need to have the detailed colonoscopy they will use a general anaesthetic, and my DH can be with me there immediately before and after (but there is a ten month GA wait and they won't do this for smears). I felt so relieved though after speaking to her and seeing that she understood that I cried. Obviously the blame for all this lies with the rapists but I do I resent the GP when I was 14 who made me unable to talk about this to a HCP for over thirty years.

So that's why I am unable to have smears etc. I can't "grit my teeth" or think of the serious consequences to motivate me. It's just not possible. I might not come back to the thread as it's hard so if anyone responds to my posts it's not that i am deliberately ignoring people.

@Fieldoftrees - well done for making the decision to call and book one. It's not easy for lots of people

I have always gone for mine and it's a bit uncomfortable as I have a cervix that faces backwards, but I just cannot not do it - the fear of leaving my kids without a mum is bigger than the smear fear

I was 50 this year, so will likely be called for a mammogram soon. Will do that too as I found a lump 6 years ago that was pre-cancerous and thankfully got it sorted. Was not as bad as I thought

@Treesuphooray - so sorry about your sister; thank you for telling her story 💐