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.

Absolutely

it's not a diagnostic test and there's no need for an intrusive procedure anymore.

I'm a victim of sexual abuse. Since our beloved practice nurse left there's been a succession of people in that role. I have no confidence in a mentally comfortable experience, so I don't go.

I have lost three people to cancer. I will never have another smear test.
The pain of my last one was traumatic. And it is not even necessary as they could just do a HPV test.

Absolutely yes!

Both of my previous smears detected high risk hpv. After having colposcopies and a biopsy no abnormal cells were detected. However, my smears are now annual in case this should change. Honestly, after having been through childbirth with some complications down there after, going for a 5 minute smear each year is nothing in comparison.

My mum was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer at her first routine mammogram age 50. She had no obvious symptoms and hadn't noticed the lump that went on to be removed. She was given the all clear within 6 months. She hates any sort of hospital setting and openly admits she probably wouldn't have gone for the mammogram if a close friend of hers hadn't also battled cancer in recent years. If she hadn't gone for that appointment, who knows if she would still be here today?

I have a DD and like to think we are both setting the best example for her when her time for smears, mammograms etc will come.

Yes, I always book mine right away. It's not pleasant but a couple of minutes of discomfort is so much better than the alternative.

However I am due my next one in January, but also expecting my first baby then. Will likely wait a couple of months before booking to let myself recover first in this case only!

Mine was due at the beginning of my pregnancy and they said to come back at 12 weeks PP as everything will have ‘settled’ by then. It was actually quite a sweet experience. One nurse did it for me while all the others waited outside and looked after and cooed over my baby. Seeing as I had him during lockdown #1, having someone hold and make a fuss of me and my baby was novel.

When was the last time a man was shamed about skipping his colonoscopy?
DH has never been offered one to be fair.

Many of us rest our case!

It worries me that they only now test for HPV.

I have had CIN III removed under general anaesthetic and I was negative for HPV - always have been.

Another friend of mine had full blown cervical cancer with negative HPV.

I do struggle to see the point now which is a shame as I have always gone religiously.

Yes, I always book mine right away. It's not pleasant but a couple of minutes of discomfort is so much better than the alternative.

I'm glad it's only a couple of minutes discomfort for you but please bear in mind that for some of us it's a lot more than that.

@PinkSparklyPussyCat I'm so sorry that's the case for you, I was just relaying my experience but clearly I'm very fortunate to be in my situation (as are lots of other women on this thread who have said similar to me).

They should definitely offer more help/support for women who have bad experiences or trauma in the past, who therefore understandably find smears incredibly difficult. Ultimately it can be a lifesaving procedure, so needs to be done in a way that's comfortable and feels safe for all women x

I'm sorry if I came across as sharp @Janey3090, I didn't mean to.

I'm lucky in that I haven't had a trauma in my past, my anatomy causes the problems for me. I'm lucky that I was able to go private (accidentally, the consultant offered to do it when I was being investigated for pelvic pain) but that level of support should be available for all women, not just those who can afford it.

Thank you for all of the replies. I plucked up the courage to phone the GP practice for an appointment for a smear. I was brinking it. It's next week. I will forget about it now until then.

Yes, I always need a longer instrument ...
sorry, tmi

Yes, every time. I don't have any past trauma that makes it uncomfortable though and it's no big deal for me.

It's horrible isn't it?
Necessary, but it hurts
I'd rather have a mammogram any day of the week

It depends how you risk assess.

Women have on average a 1 in 142 chance of getting CC. Less of dying from it. (As it's relatively easy to detect early from symptoms)

Risk massively increases from PIV sex without condoms and smoking.

But instead of telling men to always wear condoms to prevent unnecessary female death (because that would be so unreasonable) we tell women to submit to painful intrusive dehumanising procedures that in the vast majority of cases are completely unnecessary.

(Not even getting into the £££££ bonuses GPs get for them)