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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think smear tests should start at 21, not 25?

70 replies

PamPerdbrat · 02/03/2012 20:07

I am in the armed forces, and they start cervical screening at 21. My last screen picked up changes. I had a colposcopy and biopsies which confirmed CIN3 (severe abnormal cell changes). I have an op in 2 weeks to remove the affected area.

I'm shocked and a bit shaken. I'm only just 24, and if I'd have been taken care of on civvy street, this would not have been picked up until next year at the earliest; when I turn 25. By which time the news could have been worse.

If it can happen to me, it can happen to other girls my age, too. AIBU to think the NHS should screen earlier? I could be being over emotional though; I am rather shocked Sad

OP posts:
Chubfuddler · 02/03/2012 20:09

I'm really shocked that smears don't start until the 20s now. When I was a teenager I was told you should have your first smear test a year after becoming sexually active, so I dutifully had it done at 16.

PBandJSandwiches · 02/03/2012 20:09

In Australian they start when you become sexually active, whatever age that is. I think there is an age you should start if you ate active it not as well, but I can't remember what it is.

PBandJSandwiches · 02/03/2012 20:10

Forgot to add, sorry to hear you need an op.

Lisatheonewhoeatsdrytoast · 02/03/2012 20:12

In Scotland (where i am) it is 21, i had my first at 21, and had one slight abnormal, but after getting them every 6 months, for the next 2 years, everything was fine, but i agree 21 should be the age they should start across the board!

Original poster
PamPerdbrat · 02/03/2012 20:13

I know the HPV vaccine will help of course, but what about my generation who didn't get it? And the girls who don't get the jab?

I got the letter at the beginning of this week with the results etc and I was fine; now I'm being all pathetic and tears Hmm

OP posts:
Forrestgump · 02/03/2012 20:13

Im in total agreement, I am saddened smears dont begin once sexually active. If there were an opportunity to detect pre cancerous cells much suffering could be avoided.

Original poster
PamPerdbrat · 02/03/2012 20:13

teary

OP posts:
Northey · 02/03/2012 20:14

Sorry to hear about your CIN3 changes, pan, and thank goodness they hae been picked up.

But basically it's the old question of how to allocate a limited pot of money, isn't it? The NHS could do screening from 21, but how should it decide what to stop doing instead?

Chubfuddler · 02/03/2012 20:15

I'm not that old either btw, I'm only 33. I had no idea this had changed. I hate smears with a passion but I am actually considering paying privately for annual ones. I know a few women who do.

Original poster
PamPerdbrat · 02/03/2012 20:15

Oh no north this isn't an NHS bashing thread; my op will be done on the NHS and at the initial colposcopy they were bloody FAB. It was the same hospital I had my DS. Oh God, tears again! Pathetic! I need to get a grip.

OP posts:
chandellina · 02/03/2012 20:16

The US starts them for teens, and they are once a year. But i'm sure the statisticians have come up with the most cost effective timetable. With HPV so prevalent i'm surprised they don't start sooner.

oreocrumbs · 02/03/2012 20:16

It did used to be 21. When I was 21 I was backpacking and when I got home I had my letter to go for a smear, but when I rang up to make an appointment I was told that they had just moved the age to 25 so I didn't get one.

When I went at 25 I also had pre cancerous cells. (The treatment isn't too bad at all, its the worry more than the treatment)

I was 21 in 2004 so its not that long ago. I'm wondering if that was a national change or did different health authorities have different rules?

halcyondays · 02/03/2012 20:17

Yanbu, afaik, it's only England that changed it to 25, the rest of the UK still offers smear tests at 20, I think. They say it's because not many abnormal smears are found in under 25s, but I suspect it's a cost cutting exercise. There have been campaigns to lower the age I think.

It must have been a shock, hope all goes well for your op.

Northey · 02/03/2012 20:19

No no, I didn't think you were NHS bashing, pam. I have had 3 ops now to remove CIN3 cells, and they have been fab all the way through. I was just interested in how anyone thought earlier screening could be managed. But I totally understand if you are not in the right frame of mind for that sort of discussion, and more in the mood for comfort.

theDevilHasTheBestMNNames · 02/03/2012 20:19

I though the problem was false positives under 25 that they are more common.

news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7941608.stm

This article seem to suggest they are looking at lowering ages.

GlitterySkulls · 02/03/2012 20:20

i had one at 19 or 20, in 2008.

got a letter to go for another one last week, i'll be 24 later in the year.

is it just england where it's over 25's?

cheesesarnie · 02/03/2012 20:20

sorry to hear that op Sad
i really dont understand why its not 16?or atleast 18?
is there a reason?

StrawberrytallCAKE · 02/03/2012 20:20

Yanbu pam get to jo's cervical cancer trust website jo's and read the threads, speak to the ladies there as they are lovely and will help you not be so teary.

The same thing happened to me in December, cin3 and I was petrified, devastated & worried constantly. I had the tissue removed and feel absolutely fine now, going for 6 month check up early so I can hopefully ttc in may. 95% of women have no further abnormalities.

Are you having a general for the op or local? Is it a leep/lletz? Hope you're ok Thanks

Original poster
PamPerdbrat · 02/03/2012 20:20

oreo that's it. At my smear, it picked up CIN2 and the colposcopy said CIN3; the nurse said it had mutated so quickly she wanted to treat ASAP.

OP posts:
oreocrumbs · 02/03/2012 20:21

Don't wory too much, teary is normal. You are in the very fortunate position of knowing something is wrong and are going to get it treated.

Its a horrible feeling, all the what ifs and it scares the life out of you.

Just focus on the fact you are getting treatment - whch isn't as bad as you imagine, and is something like 99% cured by 1 treatment.

Original poster
PamPerdbrat · 02/03/2012 20:22

I'm having a local because I felt fine during the colposcopy and getting to watch on the little telly was cool in an ewwwww gross! kind of way.

OP posts:
Original poster
PamPerdbrat · 02/03/2012 20:23

Oh and it's the hot wire one Confused

OP posts:
Original poster
PamPerdbrat · 02/03/2012 20:24

cheese I think it's probably a funding issue?

OP posts:
elliemay80 · 02/03/2012 20:26

I'm in my early 30's and the mimumum age used to be 21 so I had one then and shamefully left it 7 years before having another. I just kept leaving it. This turned out to detect abnormal cells so I had smears 6 monthly for a year and then a colposcopy and finally the all clear. I'm back to having them every 3 years now but it really shook me. Next one due in November this year.

I have friends who are a bit younger than me who have never been for one and I keep stressing the importance.

Pam sorry about the changes you have had and I hope the op goes well.

They should definitely revert back to doing smears at 21.

StrawberrytallCAKE · 02/03/2012 20:27

If anyone is ever unsure about whether the age should be lowered then please please read this page - Mercedes Curnow foundation

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