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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
anicenewname · 21/05/2013 23:26

Thanks Bea, there is one about an hour away. Will psych myself up. I need to get checked, irregular bleeding for a while.

Loulybelle · 21/05/2013 23:26

I have my smear test booked in 2 weeks, after childbirth, i have no fanjo shame, my 29 year old friend has never had one.

WeAreEternal · 21/05/2013 23:31

I just think it is a personal choice. If someone doesn't want to do something they shouldn't be made to feel that they are wrong and pressured into changing their choice.

I know several people who have chosen not to have smear tests, I could be wrong but from what they have said their choices were not made due to discomfort or embarrassment, they just decided for their own reasons that they did not want to undergo the test.

getyourheadout · 21/05/2013 23:37

jan49 oops i was one of those saying its 2 minutes , but can see your point if it stresses you , then yes its the build up the day before , and the wait at the surgery is awful , but once its over you can relax for a few years and feel relief it its clear , but totally see your point .

jaabaar · 22/05/2013 02:55

hmmmmm uffff ok.......

Got soooo many reminders.... I am 44 and had only one up to now... but many many reminders....

It really is very irresponsible not to do it... and I know I am being childish...

So here it goes, will wait for my next cycle and then book appointment (HOPEFULLY)..

thank you for the reminder and all the other posters.

Original poster
hellohellohihi · 22/05/2013 06:37

It is absolutely a choice. You don't get fined or imprisoned if you don't go. Of course you can ignore the literature and the facts. I wouldn't call that pressure, just helpful information .

And saying its only a few minutes isn't designed to undermine those who struggle with it, just to put it in perspective time-wise. Im sure almost everyone finds it uncomfortable, it's certainly not going on my list of Top Ten Fun Things To Do. It is intrusive and slightly embarrassing but IMO worth it. I'm sorry some of you find it a horrific experience, that must be really distressing, but please those of you who've never had it done, don't let this put you off. For me, it's in the same category as going to the dentist or having an injection, in fact I'd say I'm more scared of the dentist tbh as they might come at you with a needle as well - double whammy.

Anyway, my post is about awareness. So spread the "reminder" to other girlies in your life too.

OP posts:
ConfusedPixie · 22/05/2013 07:42

I don't get the wait until you're 25. I'm 24 so have a year until my first one. Surely it would make more sense to start doing it slightly younger so that things can be caught early as it's not like cervical cancer is restricted to over 25's! It also makes the every 3 years thing a bit useless as things can and do happen a lot quicker than that.

OrlaKiely · 22/05/2013 07:46

Someone nagged us all last week too...I'd rather not think about it every time I look at Active convos, thanks...so I'll just hide your (well intentioned) thread.

I suspect most of us who are avoiding our smear tests know we need them and know why we don't want them. I don't think a kick up the backside is necessarily that helpful iyswim.

Original poster
hellohellohihi · 22/05/2013 08:11

I didn't see the posts last week orla and I'm on MN far too much

And FWIW I'd totally forgotten about mine being due, it was my relative's dodgy results that reminded me along with a timely fb status from another pal.

You are very welcome to stick your head in the sand ignore the post if the reminders/nagging is pissing you off.

OP posts:
EuroShaggleton · 22/05/2013 08:13

The reasons behind the wait until 25 guideline is that most of us encounter the HPV virus in our early sexual encounters because it is so common. The virus usually causes some cervical changes as the body fights it off. In most cases, the immune system will deal with it. And for those that don't self-cure in the vast majority of cases, cancer takes many, many years to develop, so later screening will pick it up. Earlier screening was leading to over-treatment of young women (and no medical treatment is entirely risk and side-effect free).

I have regular smear tests but I agree that there is too much pressure. I was recently sent away from one as I had had a miscarriage and they don't like doing them within 3 months of that. I rebooked, fine. After I had actually had the test and was waiting for the result, I got yet another reminder to go for one. What a waste of money. It had been not only booked (weeks earlier) but completed when they sent that letter out. The Patient Paradox book is interesting on the subject of smear tests.

DonDrapersAltrEgoBigglesDraper · 22/05/2013 08:19

Why would you open the thread and post on it, if being reminded to have a smear winds you up so much? Confused

YANBU. I am all up to date, but think any and all reminders are good things. This particular cancer is so easily avoided; why not take advantage of that?

Sallystyle · 22/05/2013 08:19

Stupidly enough, 4 years ago I had mild changes with NO HPV and they told me to go back in three years.

I did and that came back fine, but because of my abnormal test all those years ago they wanted me to have two screenings 6 months apart. Apparently they should have had me in 6 months later after my first abnormal test but for some reason they didn't Hmm

It seems so odd to me that I went three years after a abnormal result with no smear test but when that came but all fine they then decided to test me every 6 months. I move up to a year soon.

Sallystyle · 22/05/2013 08:23

came back*

Titsalinabumsquash · 22/05/2013 08:25

I've never had one, first baby was born when I was 18 and I'm 26 now (with 2 more children as well) I should really just get it done. Can I take the baby with me though as I have no childcare at all.

Gooeyhead · 22/05/2013 08:51

I've got mine on 28th of this month, I was due one 18 months ago but fell pregnant. I fainted at my last one (about 5 years ago) not sure why, yes it hurt but not that much!!! Smile I'm hoping I'll be ok this time! I survived the faint and was fine about 5 minutes later if the same happens then I suppose it's a small price to pay when you think of the alternatives!!! Breathes deeply and tries to forget the fainting!!

Lamazeroo · 22/05/2013 09:03

gobbledegook1 did they give you advice about what you can do to reduce the incidence of dysplasia?

Alibabaandthe40nappies · 22/05/2013 09:24

I really find it hard to understand why people are so resistant. We are very lucky to have a screening program for this disease, very lucky.
And as for complaining that people make these kind of posts, words fail me. By all means ostrich about your own situation, but don't begrudge others the chance to save their lives. Hmm

Mine is up to date thanks to a thread on MN a few months ago.

FoxMulder · 22/05/2013 09:25

Can I ask a question about HPV? Is it just like any STI in the way it's caught? So, if I've only been with one man and he with me, I can't have it? I asked the nurse at my last smear and she said that men 'just have it'. Do they?? Sounds a bit odd.

Another nurse told me the opposite, but that not all cervical cancers are caused by HPV, so still to get tested.

TheSloppelganger · 22/05/2013 09:30

I had a horrible first smear at 21 - it really, really hurt, I nearly passed out, there were spatters of blood on the table, the nurse was dismissive and I walked like John Wayne for two days afterwards. I then ignored every smear reminder sent to me for 8 years because HELL NO. Not going through that again.

Then I met DH, who guilt-tripped and hand-held me into going - pointing out that as horrible as the smear was, the possibility of cancer would be worse. I took his point and booked another smear.

It isn't an understatement to say I was a sniveling, sweaty sack of jelly all day before my appointment, and then seriously contemplated running out of the surgery before I could be called in. But the nurse was lovely, she saw immediately how badly I was shaking, and was kind and comforting - gave me a hug and several tissues for my snotty blubby nose Blush - and it didn't hurt or bleed at all that time.

I suspect I just got unlucky first time - and had a butcher for a nurse Hmm

I'm not due another smear just yet, but I will now go and put a reminder in my calendar so I won't forget when I do need to have one. (I live in the US now, so can't rely on the good old NHS to pester me any more.)

TotallyBursar · 22/05/2013 09:36

I need to book in, I got a reminder, filed it, forgot about it.
I'm a year overdue.

I for one appreciated the kick up the bum!

TotallyBursar · 22/05/2013 09:37

Meant to say: sorry to hear about your relative, fingers crossed all is well.

Loulybelle · 22/05/2013 09:39

I had my first smear the year after DD was born, the nurse asked me if i had a c section, obviously my fanjo is still tighter than accountants purse strings.

megsmouse · 22/05/2013 09:42

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ChairmanWow · 22/05/2013 09:42

I'm so sorry for those who find it stressful and painful. It is an uncomfortable experience. I also had an abnormal test and was supposed to go back every 6 months. I only went once then left it for 2 years. I then heard that an old school friend had died of cervical cancer at the age of 38. That was my wake-up call. I will never miss another test again.

Please, please don't bury your head in the sand. It can and does happen, but is entirely detectable and treatable.

littlemonkeychops · 22/05/2013 09:48

Did anyone have a smear soon after having a baby?

I wad due mine when pregnant with DD so obviously mussed it, got a reminder a few months later but as i'd had a tear the idea of anything being stretched down there didn't appeal so i ignored it.

Now due with DC2 anyday, how long should i leavd it before booking it?? I know it's bad to leave it so long (now 4 or 5 years since last one).