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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To remind you all to make sure your smear test is up to date?

102 replies

hellohellohihi · 21/05/2013 22:08

A relative has just had some dodgy results. Looks like all will be ok but it's prompted me to book mine as it was overdue.... And another friend has posted on fb asking everyone to remind women they know to get it done if its due/overdue.

No one likes being nagged but I feel this is a worthy one.

OP posts:

goldenlula · 21/05/2013 22:53

I will check, as I believe I am due mine this year as I am sure my last one was before I fell pregnant with dd and she was 2 a couple of weeks ago.

NorksAreMessy · 21/05/2013 22:54

Nope, don't wanna . :(

getyourheadout · 21/05/2013 22:54

agree thebody it should be a lot earlier than 25 .

gobbledegook1 · 21/05/2013 22:54

Thanks Larval I'll take a look at the link, yes they tested for HPV and it came back clear but that doesn't mean it isn't anything to worry about though surely, after all an abnormality is an abnormality and should therefore surely be monitored regardless of the presence of HPV or not?

beals692 · 21/05/2013 22:56

I got a metal speculum about a year ago so a few places still have them. IIRC, the nurse had the normal-size speculum in plastic but the smaller one only in metal and decided that smaller-but-metal would be the least worst option for me!

anicenewname · 21/05/2013 22:58

What is a local clinic and how do you book an appointment at one? Always been too scared to go through with it, but think an anonymous clinic would be easier... at least wouldn't have to see them again! Never had one, I'm in my thirties.

gallifrey · 21/05/2013 22:58

I went for my smear test yesterday and the nurse couldn't find my cervix, she was prodding me about for a good 15 minutes I've got to go back again next week and someone else will try!

honeytea · 21/05/2013 23:00

gallifrey I think if you go mid cycle/around ovulation your cervix naturally drops lower, maybe that would help, good luck!

OddBoots · 21/05/2013 23:01

I'm about 6 months late with mine but past experience has shown I only have a narrow window each month just after ovulation to get it done or it gets returned as inconclusive and I keep forgetting to call at the right time. I must get around to it though.

Ginderella · 21/05/2013 23:03

I'm 55 and I have never had a smear.

beals692 · 21/05/2013 23:03

anicenewname - If you get a letter telling you that you are due for a smear test, the letter will probably tell you about other places you can have it done. In my area, it can be done at 'CASH' (Contraceptive and Sexual Health) Clinics - I think previously they were called 'Well Women' clinics but I'm not sure if the terminology is standardised so they might be called something else where you are.

getyourheadout · 21/05/2013 23:05

beals692 i havent seen one for years , was hoping they were all gone , they used to freak me out a bit ,was so glad when i saw the plastic ones :) ,gallifrey that was a long time to be prodded about , they couldnt find mine either had 3 of them have a go ,thought they were going to start letting in the patients to try at one point ,it was like piccadilly circus :)

WeAreEternal · 21/05/2013 23:06

I think there is too much pressure to have smear tests.
The NHS and other institutions send a lot of junk mail and hounding information to women in order to 'encourage' them to get a smear test.
Yes it is a good idea to get checked, but if you don't want to have one they should accept that as your personal choice and not try to pressure women into having a smear test if they don't want one.

anicenewname · 21/05/2013 23:07

Oh thanks Bea, had a letter a few months ago, but just from the gp's surgery, no other choices on it, quite rural here though, so maybe no other choices available. Can you just ask at a CASH place (if I can find one)?

C999875 · 21/05/2013 23:10

No Y.N.B.U.
I'm ashamed to admit though my last smear was in Oct 1997 and it was one of the worse expereinces of my life and I kept on tensing up, and I vowed never again. I'm always getting invites but I just rip the letters up. Absolutly I know it'd be very odd if I said it was an orgasmic experience.
They (smears) only seems to bother me though all my friends just breeze through them. xx

thebody · 21/05/2013 23:11

Dying of cancer is terrible but dying if a cancer that can be detected and treated is just bloody dreadful.

It's a few minutes of discomfort.

It can save your life.

It's worth it for yourself your family and friends.

anicenewname · 21/05/2013 23:11

WeAreEternal I disagree. Think the information posted out helps and the screening does save lives, even if it does inconvenience a lot of women unnecessarily. The closest I get to having a smear is when I get a letter, the invitation and info nearly gets me there.

Ginderella · 21/05/2013 23:13

WeAreEternal - I agree with you.

TheOneWithTheHair · 21/05/2013 23:13

Mine was last month. I am adding my voice as I've had one in the past that ended with an operation under general anaesthetic. It was scary at the time but the thought of what would have happened had I not had the initial smear is even scarier!

WeAreEternal · 21/05/2013 23:16

I'm sure it does.

What I mean is when women make it clear that they are not interested in having a smear, and then receive floods of information from the NHS and other places in order to encourage them to get the test.

thebody · 21/05/2013 23:16

The only thing that protects you from cervical cancer is viginity. Nothing else.

It's a myth that you have to be promiscuous.

beals692 · 21/05/2013 23:17

anicenewname - The CASH clinic I went to had drop-ins so you could just turn up but it may vary from place to place. I've just done a quick Google search for CASH clinics and it's coming up with ones in different parts of England so I presume it's the standard term for these clinics now - although I don't know how well-served rural areas are.

Jojobump1986 · 21/05/2013 23:19

My GP surgery seem very concerned about my overdue smear. I've had 2 reminders from them already this pregnancy... They've only got 4 more weeks max to make it a hat-trick!

How long after giving birth should I wait before booking it? I'm v low risk, given that neither DH nor I have ever been with anyone else but I guess there's no such thing as being too careful!

LarvalFormOfOddSock · 21/05/2013 23:19

Out of interest, WeAreEternal, what reasons would anyone have for not wanting a smear (apart from discomfort/embarrassment)? I don't mean that in a rude way. As someone whose life has been saved through screening, I'm genuinely curious.

Jan49 · 21/05/2013 23:25

When people say it is only 2 minutes so just get it done with, well personally I find the whole day of the smear up to the point where I leave the surgery afterwards is part of the stress, not 2 minutes. Half an hour or more in the waiting room adds to the stress.

I think if it really was just 2 minutes of stress then women would be less likely to put it off. I'm over 50 so I've had quite a few and also further testing following an abnormal smear in my 20s. I used to always go when I was due to, but over the past decade I have just felt I couldn't handle it so I always end up delaying for ages.

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