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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

About putting off a cervical smear

113 replies

Fakebook · 11/10/2012 10:02

I know I probably am, but I would just like a bit more advice about this.

I'm 29 years old. I have only ever had one sexual partner and my dh has only ever had one sexual partner. We have 2 children together, the first I had when I was 24 and the second at 28. I've had second degree tears with both labours. I have no doubt about my husband's faithfulness. My periods are regular, a bit heavy (nothing unusual) and I am not on any kind of contraception.

Going from the above, that would put me at low risk for cervical cancer wouldn't it?

I am really worried because I have received a letter through the post from my surgery, telling me that my doctor is worried I have never been for a smear test, and that it's really important. I know I should go and get it done but I had a really horrible experience with a stretch and sweep and breaking my waters with my first baby, that even after a second baby, I still feel traumatised by it. I know they have to go a far way in to get to the cervix and it would hurt/be uncomfortable. I still find sex a bit uncomfortable in the missionary position after my second baby, so I can imagine how having a smear test would feel.

Also, I have this stupid thought in my head, that if they take a sample and cause a bit of erosion on the surface, it might trigger cell proliferation and cause cancer. I know this is really highly unlikely, but I can't get the thought out of my head, as my mum's liver cancer was aggravated with a biopsy.

So, just want a bit of advice really!

OP posts:
Original poster
Fakebook · 11/10/2012 10:46

Oh man...I wish I hadn't seen the pic of that speculum now. It's like a gun. :(

Hellymelly, I've had loads of internal scans too, and they were uncomfortable when the probe was pushed upwards. Is it that kind of pain?

Thank you for all the replies. I know alot of women die from cervical cancer, this is why I'm scared about the strict letters from the GP. I wish I was braver to go and get it done.

OP posts:
Original poster
Fakebook · 11/10/2012 10:53

Bagofholly, I do get occasional cold sores. Is that the same hpv as the one that causes cervical cancer?

OP posts:
eurowitch · 11/10/2012 10:55

OP, you are at low risk but not no risk. HPV causes over 99% of cervical cancers. Most people pick up a strain or two from their partner(s) over the years, but you don't need to fully dtd to transmit it. Close contact (finger transmission etc) can be enough.

You really don't need to worry about erosion. The brush they use is like a toothbrush. It just collects cells that are being shed from the cervix. Do you get gum cancer from brushing your teeth?

I've just had an abnormal smear after years of normal ones. I've probably had HPV for years but it only attacked my cervix after I took some drugs that affected my immune system. I now know to keep a close eye on it to make sure it doesn't get worse and need treatment. I'm having 3 monthly smears at the moment (got my next one on Tuesday).

Smears are not pleasant, but they are over quickly and a good dr/nurse will do their best to put you at your ease (particularly if you tell them you are nervous). The speculums are plastic and lubricated and as I said above the test instrument is just like a funny shaped toothbrush.

You are an adult so I am not going to tell you that you HAVE to go. I am personally a bit sceptical about the value of screening programmes, but I trot along for my smears because I do think the smear has some value. Unusually, it detects pre-cancerous cells, so action can be taken before anything too nasty develops. And unlike breasts, which you can check yourself for lumps, this is pretty much the only way to get at the cervix and check for a cencer that is often symptomless and before screening was the second biggest cancer killer for women (after breast cancer).

GoldShip · 11/10/2012 10:56

You need to have it done instead of finding reasons to put it off.

My mum ignored letters from the doctors to have hers. She's 38, her last smear was at 17 (think they must have done them early then) Her friend who is a nurse ended up practically forcing her to do one. When the results came it showed she had cervical cancer.

I don't want to scare you but it jus shows how important these smears are, whether you want them or not. X

eurowitch · 11/10/2012 10:57

coldsores are from the herpes virus.

HPV is different. HPV is what causes warts and verrucaes (although those are caused by a different strain to the one that attacks your cervix). There are about 100 strains. Some are harmless. Some are annoyances (e.g. the wart virus). Some are cancer-causing.

GoldShip · 11/10/2012 10:57

Oh and don't worry about the speculum! I've had to become quite close friends with those things because of problems I've had (long story) and really they're not so bad at all.

Original poster
Fakebook · 11/10/2012 11:02

Eurowitch, so I could contract it through touch too? Hmm, that's a bit frightening.

OP posts:
Lueji · 11/10/2012 11:06

YABU.

You can get cervical cancer without the virus.

And it's a silent cancer, so if you get it you probably won't find out until it is too late.

BTW, when you mean one sexual partner, you mean only each other, or only one other?

eurowitch · 11/10/2012 11:06

Yes, "heavy petting" (which is really all I can post from work) could transmit the virus, apparently.

I did a lot of research after my abnormal smear as I have almost always used condoms (due to problems with hormonal contraception) and found out that they don't give full protection and indeed you don't even need to dtd itself to transmit the virus.

Northey · 11/10/2012 11:08

Even if you are right about the lower risk thing, a risk definitely exists and you know for yourself that you should go for the check.

There are all sorts of things you can do to make yourself feel less anxious about it, and there have been so many threads here where nervous women have found the courage to do it at last and been surprised at how easy it was in the end. I bet you will find yourself in that category too.

Northey · 11/10/2012 11:21

In relation to the bit where you say they have to go in a long wy to get to the cervix, does it help you to know that in my experience (another one who has more frequent smears after a previous irregular result) it's not really that deep at all? I can often reach my cervix with my fingers, for example, and I am someone on whom nurses generally have to use what they consider a longer speculum.

valiumredhead · 11/10/2012 11:22

A good friend of mine had cervical cancer and has only ever had one partner and he is faithful - stop kidding yourself and go and get it done, harsh but stop making excuses and get it done, it doesn't even take 5 minutes. Having a smear is nothing like having uncomfortable sex, the nurse is in and out before you even realise it. Go and make an appt now!

whatsleep · 11/10/2012 11:23

I would say that when the nurse inserts the speculum with the lube on its really no worse than putting in a tampax. The nurse will have you laying on your back with your fists under your bum so that your pelvis is tilted up slightly. Once the speculum is in she then uses what looks like a long cotton bud to take a small swab of cells,and then she's done, the speculum is taken out and job done. It takes no more than a minute in total. Please do go and have it done its only every four years (and going to the dentist is far worse!)

CaptainVonTrapp · 11/10/2012 11:24

fakebook whilst you sound very low risk I would go and have one done.

It will be over with very very quickly - less than a minute. You mention pain during sex but I would honestly say that the smears I've had have been more gentle than sex - lubrication, slow, careful, kind experienced nurses. IME not comfortable but certainly not painful. And NOTHING like a sweep which is notoriously painful and rough. And the practice nurse is nothing like the midwife.

Can someone recommend a nurse to see at your surgery who they know is very good? Speak to the nurse (on the phone or in person) about your fears about erosion and they will put your mind at rest.

MakeItALarge · 11/10/2012 11:28

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

hellymelly · 11/10/2012 11:30

OP, to answer your question, It is like the feeling of an internal scan, when they push the probe, yes. I've had three internal scans , and the smear was more comfortable than that, I had only just registered that slight discomfort at the pushing when the nurse removed the speculum. It was very very quick. Go to someone who does a lot of them, so either your local nurse at your GP's or similar. I thought of going to a gynae but actually the nurse was brilliant and it was more relaxed than going somewhere unfamiliar. I had worried about it for so long, even though I was also low risk, but it was such a relief to have done it, and the results came through pretty quickly too.

ThatBintAgain · 11/10/2012 11:36

OP - you can do it.

I put mine off for years but I went in the end. Just think of it as a couple of minutes of your life - I always project myself forward and think, in 2 hours it'll be done and I'll be at home having a cup of tea, or this time tomorrow it's out of the way and I won't have to think about it again...

MrsEricBana · 11/10/2012 11:40

I really do understand how you feel, however, honestly it is so quick and so painless and the nurse will have done so many that she will put you ease and quickly do it while chatting about holidays or something! They say things like "Pop your things off!" and "Pop up on the couch!" and they put something over you then they tell you exactly what to do (sorry but just so you know - knees up, feet together then "pop" - there is a lot of popping! - your knees apart like frog legs and you just look at the wall while she quickly pops int he speculum, brsuhes off some cells and it is all over.) Really quick, not embarassing and vital to be checked just in case. Promise it's ok and no need for sedative or anything.

SaggyOldClothCatPuss · 11/10/2012 11:41

It's a 60 second procedure. It could save your life. It's not fun, but it's not two weeks of physical torture either! Just do it.

HumphreyCobbler · 11/10/2012 11:44

I must say that I agree with everyone, OF COURSE a smear is important and necessary. But please be sensitive to the fact that 'just doing it' may not be an option for some people and they may need help from an expert in order to manage their fear and have a smear.

OP - why don't you go to the doctor and explain your fears? That is what I did and they gave me the help I needed.

Dogsmom · 11/10/2012 11:51

Smears aren't painful but you do feel them, the speculum is fine, just a bit cold and they use either a small brush or a thing that looks like a lollipop stick to get the cells, that's the bit you feel, it's like a scratching/pulling.

I find that a lot of it is to do with the nurse, our regular one always makes me bleed (only a spot or two) but if she's away and I get a locum they are less scratchy and don't bleed, in fact the last time I didn't even realise she'd done it and I'm usually sensitive total wuss about all things down below.

I do usually get thrush afterwards though, apparently the lube can kill off the good bacteria but a day or two of canesten clears it up.

Once you are in position the procedure really is less than a minute.

soverylucky · 11/10/2012 11:53

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

stinkymice · 11/10/2012 12:00

Thank you, for thread op. I have just phoned Dr's to make appointment for smear test that I have been putting off for a year!! Yeah!

...It's the very sound of the word 'smear' just saying it over the phone is grim.

justmyview · 11/10/2012 12:06

You don't have to say why you're making the appointment if you prefer not to. Just ask for a double appt so you'll have a bit more time.

CassandraApprentice · 11/10/2012 12:32

This thread's reminded me I have to go.

I've assumed for similar reason that I'm low risk - which isn't same as no risk - for similar reasons.

However main reason I've not been has been GP practise itself. I'm not allowed to go with DC in toe and I have no one to have them - absolutely no one and I have asked and told people why - still no.

They are being difficult about a lot of appointments and vaccinations- no other GP in immediate area are taking on people and family planner don't see people over 25 in this area. Have to add it to long list of things to try and sort out with them I suppose now youngest is at nursery in the mornings.