To remind you lovely ladies to have regular smear tests.

[Lucyellensmum99]

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.

My previous smear to this one was when Jane Goody was dying. I never watched BB, but I also stupidly did not realise how important smears were and her death brought that to greater puplic awareness. I did not realise those terribly embarrassing and uncomfortable exams could pick up something I could die from.

To the poster who cited religious/cultural preferences I struggle to know what to say. I too am low risk sexually. I went for a smear 6 weeks ago, was invited in for a biopsy 4 weeks ago, 2 weeks ago had part of my cervix excised. My Grandmother, for religious and cultural preferences, had one partner and had to have her cervix removed many years ago.

Womens health is important.

I've had regular smears from 18. At 27 years old I got an abnormal result and within 2 weeks I was having laser treatment. Without this I wouldn't be here to see my then baby son, now 5, grow up, nor of had my daughter, now 2. To be honest I have never found them painful, slightly uncomfortable maybe, but the nurses are so quick at taking a sample, and they really have seen it all before. If anyone hasn't been, or is over due, please make an appointment ASAP. I'm thankful everyday that I went for that smear amd received treatment so quickly.

I did not have a smear until I was in my thirties, because - I don't know - I was 'low risk', I was shy, I was never encouraged to by a doctor...

I had an abnormal smear in 2005, and it turned out to be cancerous. I've had three procedures since, but I have had normal smears for the last three years. I was advised to have a hysterectomy but I was very anxious to have a child...and my marvelous doctor did everything she could to preserve my fertility. The nurse who gave me a smear two years ago told me that my cervix "looks like ground mince" (because of scarring).

The procedures were uncomfortable - and my sexual confidence is shot - and I was so scared of a miscarriage due to cervical imcompetence - and I am in constant fear of the cancer returning - but I have a daughter, and I am alive.

And I wish every woman would get regular smears. :(

I think maybe some PCTs may have difficult guidelines re. Length of time post-birth as I was told 12weeks was the minimum. I had one at exactly 13weeks post-birth and just wanted to say, in case anyone in a similar situation was worried, that despite having a 3c tear from the birth, that it was still ok - uncomfortable and tight/stretchy due to the scarring but a few deep breaths and it was bearable and then over. I was also bf and the results came back clear, so it didn't seem to affect them.

Hi DieDeutschLehrerin
Just checked the national guidance doc for sample takers here on page 31 and it says
"You should not take a sample in the following circumstances unless you think the woman will not reattend : ....less than 12 weeks postnatally" so you're right about the 12 weeks. Really it's around the time when healing and hormones are settling down hopefully. Generally the nurse will go ahead with the sample because there's always the chance that the patient may not come back again.

Putting this n my threads am on. Need to go.... Its been 6 years since my last one

I know it's stupid but I'm 31 and I've not ever had a smear. The thought of it makes me actually vomit :(

I did go to the hospital because of irregular bleeding last year, which took a lot for me. The registrar who saw me said she couldn't give me a smear during the VE because it was "against the rules" but did say my cervix "looked" fine. They took swabs, but why she couldn't do a smear while I was sobbing in the bed, I couldn't really understand.

No further problems with bleeding (they put it down to being hormonal after coming off the pill) but I do know I need to get a smear done. I think I will try again next week to book an appointment (last time I was booked in for one the nurse didn't turn up, that was about 10 years ago).

NewDog - the registrar might not have been trained to take smears, or they may have felt that it you were bleeding at the time then the sample may have come back as unsuitable for reading.
The speculum that's mostly used now is plastic and loads nicer than the metal ones. Please do make that appointment next week.

I had mine done the other day, as have moved to Oz.
I got a letter to our house in the UK reminding me, so made an appointment here in Oz.
Yes, it wasn't comfortable, but I did enjoy the random chat with the go to take my mind off of it
Just waiting for the results now.

I'm going this week. I think they're meant to be 3-yearly, but I always go every two years. It's too important.

Mildly amused at someone coming onto to this thread to tell the OP off.

Why not just ignore the thread, if you've decided to opt out of smear tests? Otherwise, it's a good reminder for people who may be overdue or a bit scared of going along.

Smear tests save lives and threads like these are a Good Thing.

And quite honestly, anyone who prioritises religion and culture over basic health issues and saving lives can safely be ignored, IMHO.

Especially when they could just as easily have ignored the thread if they're so sure and certain of their own position...

bernard people are more than welcome to ignore me:) I objected to the op's authorative, presumptive tone to the post, which was not dissimilar to the letters I get from the gp every time they replace the practice manager or sexual health nurse in spite of my having given explicit written instructions of my intention to withdraw from the screening program.

I wonder if the appearance of a bossy nurse figure on the threat might deter any ladies who are waivering?

Do you still need to be 24? I spoke to my nurse about getting one and she just dismissed me and said I didn't need to worry

at the idea that I'm actually a nurse.

Wow, for someone who objects so much to the 'bossy, authoritative' tone of a thread telling you to do something you know in your heart is right you sure like hanging around it. Odd.

And in actual fact, on re-reading the OP, there's nothing bossy and authoritative about it. It's nice and polite and friendly.

Me thinks you doth protest just a tad too much, preteen.

Nursebernard - i am that you have been able to get smears every two years and . I was on yearly recall for 10 years following CINIII and letz treatment. I was at the doctors on the 11th year, not realising i was back on yearly and the doc was examining me for something else, so i asked could she do my smear at the same time. She had actually gone to get the speculum, taken it out of the packet and then said she would check when i was due. Then she refused to do the smear because it was too early I got really upset but she woudnt do it and said that if she did, they would simply bin the sample

To be fair to preteen she has made a decision not to be tested, its her perogative but my post was really to remind people who have forgotten or who are just procrastinating because its unplesant to have done. Personally though, i woudnt have felt the need to say anything, just hide the thread and move on - but it must have been a difficult decision not to be tested so can understand why she feels uncomortable i suppose.

I wish I could.

Both my mum and grandma have had cervical cancer. I've had worrying bleeding and pain that cannot be diagnosed but still I get refused smears because I'm 20.

Had to get a friend who is a sexual health nurse to do one on the sly.

I don't think smear tests are really that bad at all. They are over in two minutes. The worst thing about them is the shave/don't shave question.

Haggis I have never really considered that, although um my DP does prefer a smooth lady garden (sorry, TMI) but i always don't shave when my smear is due for fear of the nurse making the face. I always remember my lovely GP passing comment on a tattoo i have on my thigh when he did mine - "nice tattoo" it made me laugh.

Ghostship, that is outrageous

Have mine tomorrow not looking forward to it, for some reason really panicky about this one

I had my first one a month ago, it was quick and pain/discomfort free.
I couldn't have asked for a nicer nurse she sat me down and explained everything.
The worse bit was waiting for the letter to arrive.
I'm 25 and I had the jab at school so fingers crossed the jabs were successful and there will be less abnormal results.

Ivanna, i would have said that re the nurse but you said she was a bitch with the vaccinations, this was my experience, bitch nurse at my practice made my DD cry when she stabbed her too hard with needle (it must have hit bone, i coudl have punched her) Same nurse was a bitch with the speculum - shes lucky i didn't punch her (out of reflex!)

For 25-49 year olds the normal recall is 3 years.
If you had treatment for CIN2 or CIN3 then it was 10 annual follow up after which you return to 3 yearly recall - the result letter you receive on the 10th should tell you that you're back on 3 yearly recall.

LTS you should be called at 24.5 but you need to be registered with a GP to be sent an invitation letter (see my info up thread).

Screening intervals are set to try and achieve a balance with identifying the women who need treatment. There are also more minor cell changes which go away without treatment. The more frequently you screen, it increases the number of minor changes identified - just because they've been seen doesn't mean they will cause a problem. By screening annually the number of women have unnecessary anxiety causing minor changes would outweigh a very small increase in the more significant changes detected.
The reason we can have a cervical screening programme is because cervical cancer is in the main a slow developing disease (10-15 years) so there are several chances of detecting changes with 3 yearly screening.

Screening is based on populations at risk rather than individuals - there will be a small number of people who develop a disease more quickly or outside the screening age range (younger/older) but that's not what screening programmes are about. I know that is very difficult and sad for the individual's and their families.

More info about screening intervals here you need to register to read it (BMJ).

Article about colorectal screening here has more discussion around identify who and when to screen and how frequently.

Ghostship - if you're having pain and bleeding then please push for a colposcopy and gynae referral to investigate those issues. A smear test is designed for screening - to identify cell changes, it isn't a diagnostic test. Essentially if you're still having problems then you still need an answer for that.
There are lots of reasons for symptoms such as yours and generally (and I understand your concern given your family history) cervical cancer is a small % reason compared to others. It should be considered along with other possible reasons.

I am very, very scared.

I am terrified of hospitals and doctors, to the point that I actually freeze and go deaf at times: genuinely see their lips move and can't hear a thing

Anyone else want some virtual hand-holding for a smear test?
I'll go if you will, too...
Ring for appointment tomorrow?