About putting off a cervical smear

[Fakebook]

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!

I had my very first one this morning, I'm 26 so it's very overdue (start at 20 here). I put it off for ages as I was embarrassed, then pregnant, then scared it would hurt, then irregular periods, etc etc... it's very easy to find an excuse!
It was a total piece of piss. In and out in 30 seconds and I genuinely didn't feel a thing, the nurse was lovely and just made it all seem totally normal and not embarrassing. Just do it, you'll be glad it's over with and it might save your life.

Well done Fakebook for taking the first step. My intention is not to scare you, cervical cancer is still very uncommon but the risk is there which is why we are fortunate to have the screening programme.

I'm well now, it's been 7 years tommorrow since diagnosis and I've come a long way since those dark days.

I'm certain you will feel better for having it done.

What if I don't get another chance because of this?

Whats more important? Having another baby or being a live and healthy mother to ones you have? It is EXTREMELY unlikely that anything will come back negative, but you cant risk your health and your families happiness for the sake of a smear. You will have your smear, it will come back fine and then you will happily TTC, safe in the knowledge that you are safe to do so.

I am sorry to be harsh but my friends wife died recently at 40 of cancer, and the pain her young children are going through is heartbreaking. It was a rare cancer and by the time anyone suspected anything it was too late, with Cervical Cancer we have the gift of a highly accurate test that uncovers potential problems BEFORE they become cancer. Dont waste that gift, please.

"What if I don't get another chance because of this?"

It would be worse to get pregnant and for cancer to then be discovered. There would be some very difficult decisions to be made then.

A friend's wife became pregnant with a much-wanted baby in her min-30s. During the pregnancy, ovarian cancer was discovered. The pregnancy had to be terminated so she could have treatment. She died anyway. There's no screening programme for ovarian cancer but there is for cervical.

It is less uncomfortable if you have the smear test performed sitting in a proper gyny chair with foot rests and the gyny sitting directly infront of you. Not on a bed where the nurse does it from the side. Ask for a woman gyny too. When I was young I felt nothing, but after a cervical cancer op in 1982 and getting older, it is now very painful at GPs with nurse on the bed from the side. I am now too old to have anymore tests, so hoping it does not come back. My mother never had a smear test nor cancer. You should go - good luck

I'm so pleased you're getting it done, OP. Did you get through to make the appointment yet?

And if you are anxious in the run up to it, there are so many people here who can answer questions and reassure and encourage you.

I'm another one who is technically low risk but who had abnormal cells picked up by a smear and then treated, by the way.

Do you have a smear when you turn 25 or when you first have sex?

Was discussing this today - one of the girls at work is 29 and never had sex so says she doesn't need a smear. I thought that everyone over 25 needed one.

plaingirly women in England are offered smears from the age of 25.

If your colleague has never had sex she is considered very low risk but is still entitled to a smear if she wants one.

This is an absolute must for informed choice.

blogcritics.org/culture/article/unnecessary-pap-smears/

Right - thank you!

She said she kept getting letters from her Dr but was ignoring them as you don't need a smear until you have sex.

I thought there was still a risk even without having sex - guess I was wrong!

You HAVE to go, please do. Low risk is not no risk.

I've like you had some horrible experiences. Smears are not nice, but every nurse I've ever had who's done on has been so lovely, made me feel so at ease and been very careful. They have to have them too so know how it feels.

I didn't even know virgins could have a smear? Wouldn't there be an access problem?

I am as guilty as the OP. Have never been for a smear. Lost virginity quite late (19) and when I was young I told myself because I had sex late then I would be ok. Still haven't had one and should book in. I'm now 30!

Why you should have smears if you are virgin

cancerhelp.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/cancer-questions/cervical-cancer-in-virgins

If Cancer Research arent sure that you wont get it then thats pretty much all you need to know. Get a smear just in case.

As for "access" very few women are still physically intact down there, with the use of tampons, physical exercise, even using vibrators.

Please please go! They are not that bad! Iv recently had a biopsy taken as my results were dodgy but all clear.

My aunt had cervical cancer in her early twenties with one partner. Hence why I think it's so important that you go.

As far as I'm aware women in Scotland are seen much earlier than England for smears and for that I'm very thankful.

Alpha 19 is not "late" in sexual terms, you need to get one asap.

Just looked it up, it's 20 in Scotland! It's mental that its 25 down south!

I didn't even know virgins could have a smear? Wouldn't there be an access problem

If you've got to smear age and haven't had sex, it's possible your hymen wouldnt be intact anyway. Tampax, masturbation, physical activity..

I'm low risk but had abnormal cells at my first smear - risk is risk, it isn't guarantee ! Had laser treatment, then checks every year for about 8 years now as they can ascertain your risk factor (which is how I know I'm low risk), I don't need to go back for 3 years! I know it isn't a pleasent experience but it's over in mInutes and gives peace of mind!

LegArmpits what's that blog post got to do with anything?

So women who have undergone hysterectomy in the USA (where insurance companies can charge for smears) are having unnecessary smears. They may or may not have had their cervix removed. They may or may not have had a hysterectomy for malignancy.

Doesn't really tell us anything does it?

Oh and nuns don't get cervical cancer. They are unlikely to have had sexual intercourse, penetrative digital sex or oral sex (all risk factors for HPV transmission). They are unlikely to smoke. (Risk factor for cervical cancer). Live in social deprivation (risk factor for cervical cancer).

You cannot extrapolate that because nuns don't get cervical cancer that all virgins won't get cervical cancer.

I put my last one off for about 6 months. Had it 2 weeks ago, and got the 'all clear' today. Just get it done, it's really no big deal. You will wonder what all the fuss was about afterwards.

Just 30 secs to maybe save your life. You owe it to your family. Sorry, but it's true.

I first had one around 1998, and it bloody hurt! Horrid cold metallic stinging pain.

Had one on Monday (there's a way to start the week!) and honestly didn't feel any pain at all, just some "pushing" IYKWIM. Same with the previous 2009 one. It really is a very different experience now, and I think a lot of women have (understandably) developed a dislike of it from the days when it genuinely was painful.

I lift my pelvis in the air because I have a tilted cervix apparently, that makes it much easier (though I do look a bit of a tit).

Gah, should have said, they use a plastic thingy with a little brush now, not a metal scrapy thing.

Yes I phoned up and got an appointment for next Friday. I'm just going to discuss other things about TTC with the GP and the smear test aswell. I am definitely getting it done, even though I have a lump in my throat everytime I think about it. I'll just spray loads of rescue remedy in my mouth beforehand!

Thank you everyone for the push. Smeghead, what you said about the test being a gift, really struck a chord with me. My mum used to say something similar about how all medicines and tests are a gift to prevent us from getting ill and we should take full advantage of all that we have to stay healthy.

madbuslady, I have a tilted uterus, I wonder if my cervix is tilted too...

Please go. I have endo etriosis, and whilst these kinds if exams are very uncomfortable for me, I am always so reassured when I get the result. And fwiw, everyone else I know doesn't find them painful at all, just me, but not surprising really as they found endo round my cervix at my last op.

My nan died of cervical cancer. It is only once every 3 years, and it could save your life. Hpv virus is incredibly common, so it is still likely you could have been exposed, despite only having one partner.