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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To remind you lovely ladies to have regular smear tests.

128 replies

Lucyellensmum99 · 04/08/2012 20:56

They are uncomfortable and a tad embarrasing - but mostly, thats as bad as it gets.

This is inspired by another thread actually, so apologies, but i was horrified to read that people are still not having them done reguarly.

I say this as someone who would not be here now if hadn't had mine. That i did have a problem, but because it was caught early, it was very easily treated, outpatient job. A year later? six months even, would have been a very different tale to tell (if indeed i were around to tell it).

So please ladies, anyone due a smear and putting it off, or not had one yet - please please please make the appointment.

OP posts:
motherinferior · 04/08/2012 20:57

Yes, please, please do: a colleague's best friend has just been diagnosed with cervical cancer and her prognosis is not great. Please do it.

prettysunset · 04/08/2012 20:58

Hear hear!

EclecticShock · 04/08/2012 20:58

Yes agree wholeheartedly.

invicta · 04/08/2012 20:58

Also, please check your breasts for lumps and bumps

WorraLiberty · 04/08/2012 20:58

YANBU

It's not the sort of thing to put off

Petsinmyolympicpudenda · 04/08/2012 21:03

I had my first one a few months back after being badgered by pm after I admitted I'd cancelled my appointments - I put it off for two years because I didn't want a stranger fiddling with me bits, I've had two children, god knows how many doctors and midwifes have been elbow deep while I wasin labour so no idea why 1 nurse made me go wobbly Grin

gobbledegook1 · 04/08/2012 21:05

YANBU, my DP lost his wife to cervical cancer very young.

Tee2072 · 04/08/2012 21:06

Just had mine and was told, after 30 something years of smears and one child, that I have a strangely angled cervix. Okay then...

It really is 5 - 10 minutes and then it's over. And it could save your life!

Enfyshedd · 04/08/2012 21:08

Years ago, a friend of mine only went for her first smear after her GP threatened to stop supplying her contraceptive pill - these days, she wonders why she was so stupid about it.

I need to book an appointment for myself soon after an abnormal result last July - results came through just after I had by BFP for DD, so I have to wait until she's 3 months old (got pg in August). Fingers crossed it was just a crap sample Sad

Lucyellensmum99 · 04/08/2012 21:12

Enfy, i bet it was - there are various levels of abnormalities they detect on smears, if it was extreme im sure they would have told you. Most abnormal smears just result in a repeat smear that turns out to be normal.

OP posts:
Alliwantisaroomsomewhere · 04/08/2012 21:14

I need to be told I am very Sensible because I am going in 2 weeks' time. I am dreading it (but I have been crampy all month long so I am relieved to be going- not sure what the crampiness is all about).

Tee2072 · 04/08/2012 21:15

You are very sensible, Alli. What are you dreading, exactly?

nannyl · 04/08/2012 21:17

YANBU

my sisters life long best friend died aged 25 as a result of putting hers off Sad

McHappyPants2012 · 04/08/2012 21:17

My last one was 3 years ago and have not had a letter yet I am 26 and live in Wales.

But Yanbu have it done

Alliwantisaroomsomewhere · 04/08/2012 21:18

I dread baring my fanny, the insertion of the speculum, the scraping of the brush, the embarrasment during and afterwards. But I know it has to be done.

PeggyCarter · 04/08/2012 21:19

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Lucyellensmum99 · 04/08/2012 21:19

yep - tis pants alliwant, but id rather have a smear test than go to the dentist Grin

OP posts:
Sunnywithachanceofshowers · 04/08/2012 21:19

YANBU. And thank you for reminding me to make my appointment.

NoobytheWaspSlayer · 04/08/2012 21:20

yanbu - I have just had a colposcopy and lletz treatment for cin3 abnormal cells. If I had put off my smear I could have been facing much worse. It wasn't hugely comfortable, but I've felt worse, and it was all over very quickly.

Tee2072 · 04/08/2012 21:20

The other thing that happened this time was she got a longer speculum and it actually hurt less and I didn't even feel the scrape!

Maybe something to ask for...

Babylon1 · 04/08/2012 21:20

I had my reminder this week and am booked in for next week Wink

Not nice, but very necessary Smile

Yama · 04/08/2012 21:21

In Scotland we get them from 18 years old so I've been having them for almost 20 years. Yikes.

I do remember a friend at uni having laser treatment after a smear test so I guess I've always realised that they make a difference.

Yama · 04/08/2012 21:22

Oh, and this friend was English so had she not come to a Scottish Uni ...

Raspberrysorbet · 04/08/2012 21:23

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

kid · 04/08/2012 21:24

I am a year overdue for my one, there never seems a good time to go which is a poor excuse. I finally got round to phoning for an appt yesterday but was told they have no appts for the next 2 weeks so I have to phone back in 2 weeks for an appt. Thats the sort of thing that prevents me from going as its not always convenient with work and childcare.

BUT, I know it can save my life so I must put a note in my diary to make that call and book that appt. I will be phoning on the Tuesday 28th August for definate.