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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Smear test

113 replies

Snowwhite22 · 07/05/2014 20:23

Aibu to tell you all I had a smear test today?

The nurse was lovely, it wasn't embarrassing and it didn't hurt.
Nurse said she still can't convince some of her patients to have it done.

When it's your turn ladies, make sure you go, it might save your life!

OP posts:
TheFairyCaravan · 07/05/2014 21:07

I had mine last Wednesday. It was 2 years overdue Blush, but I have got severe SPD since DS2(17) have had 5 major pelvic surgeries and can't open my legs. My lovely GP did it with me on my side, it didn't hurt a bit. I got the letter today telling me it's all clear and I don't have to go again until 2017.

MaidOfStars · 07/05/2014 21:12

Go. Last month, a friend of mine died from cervical cancer and associated secondaries. She was 28.

RevoltingPeasant · 07/05/2014 21:20

PicandMix can I just thank you for posting that? Really!

Judging by threads on here, there is a pretty significant number of women (minority but still) who have big issues with smears. No one should ever be bullied or harangued as another poster has said. But these threads often turn out like that with women being told they are stupid if they choose not to engage with a voluntary screening programme.

The language of "must" and "don't be silly, it only takes a second" can be really triggering for women who have issues around consent. I know most of us don't but please can we not minimise the difficulty some women experience or treat this as an imperative?

It isn't. It is a smart choice to make for your health. Just like eating 7 a day, taking exercise and not smoking. Actually probably all those things are more likely to keep you alive a long time.

Going to hide this thread now because I know they often turn into bunfights and I'm sure somebody will leap on this and tell me I should be grateful, suck it up, get sedated etc and frankly I CBA to argue.

PicandMinx · 07/05/2014 21:31

I always offer a smear. It's part of my job. I do not try to persuade as I don't think I should. IMO, women over 25 are grown-ups and are quite capable of making their own decisions.

At my practice, none of the female HCPs have cervical screening, so it would be hypocritical of me to "force" women into screening.

Original poster
Snowwhite22 · 07/05/2014 21:40

Really sorry did not want to upset anybody or start a bunfight. If it helps anyone get seen then that's great.

OP posts:
PourquoiTuGachesTaVie · 07/05/2014 21:41

I would be interested to know a bit more about why none of the female HCPs have cervical screening picandmix? Is there something they know about it that we don't or is it all just personal reasons.

I hope that's not too personal a question, just intrigued me is all. Ignore me if it is, sorry.

Aeroflotgirl · 07/05/2014 21:44

If your under 25 you can have it privately! It's around £75 and you can go to Marie Stopps if your concerned. Don't wait, or let Doctors fob you off.

OMGimamum · 07/05/2014 21:47

I was just wondering that too Pourquoi...
Tell us why pic!

carabos · 07/05/2014 21:48

Interested in what picandmix says about poor take up of smears among HCPs. My best friend is a GP, she doesn't have them, won't be having her mammogram (we are 50, so on auto-call) and she says very few of her female colleagues engage with screening either.

I had a smear test at Xmas as part of other tests - gynae decided to do it to bring records up to date as I hadn't had one for about 10 years. He was pretty relaxed about that and the conversation was along the lines of "while I'm down there..." Grin. If not for that, I wouldn't have bothered and probably won't bother again.

EverythingsDozy · 07/05/2014 21:48

I was told after DD I needed cervical smears because I had had a child (age 20) but I went to the doctors and told they wouldn't do one until I was 25. I got told the same thing after I had DS (age 22). I'm now 24 and still haven't had one. Abnormal cells run in my family too so am a little worried and can't afford £75 for a private one!
But then, I am worried about everything. I'm convinced I'm going to die of skin, breast or bowel cancer.

Also, does anybody know if cervical smears can detect endometrial cancer? I know it sounds a bit daft but I'm not sure if the cells might migrate a little? A friend of mine had endometrial cancer and a full hysterectomy at the age of 20! She was the youngest person to ever be operated on for this type of cancer!

SaucyJack · 07/05/2014 21:54

I've never had one and I don't think it's the same as having had children as far as embarrassment goes. When you're in labour you have no choice but to have someone look up your fandango- and you're in far too much pain to care anyway. There's no immediate physiological need to have a smear and I have a mental block when it comes to taking my pants off in public for the sake of it.

It also feels terribly unfair that there is no male equivalent. As though women are just possessions of the state and must let anybody have access to their private parts on demand.

MaidOfStars · 07/05/2014 21:56

Prostate exam, SaucyJack?

AndreasVesalius · 07/05/2014 21:58

There's a thread in General Health where women have been threatened with being removed from GP lists because they won't consent to screening. Wrong on so many levels.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/general_health/1952049-Smear-tests

SaucyJack · 07/05/2014 21:59

Actually, that is the whole problem for me in a nutshell. Complete strangers writing to me and trying to demand that I show them my vagina. I feel slightly violated just opening the letters.

It really isn't like voluntarily engaging with midwifery services for yours and your baby's immediate benefit at all.

carabos · 07/05/2014 22:03

everythingsdozy the smear test won't detect endometrial cancer. The tests I was having referenced in my post above were for endometrial cancer. The smear test was incidental and not part of the suite of tests being done.

You would start with an aspiration biopsy if endometrial cancer was suspected and work up from there.

SaucyJack · 07/05/2014 22:05

Prostate exam, SaucyJack?

There isn't a national screening programme for prostate/other male cancers tho. Men do not receive letters telling them to go to their GPs and let a stranger put their fingers up their rectum. That's precisely my point.

PicandMinx · 07/05/2014 22:06

Pourquoi - we have made an informed choice not to screen. Personally, I feel the risk of cervical cancer is very low. Statistically, at my practice, I would have a 70% chance of an abnormal result and therefore a subsequent colposcopy which would probably lead to LEEP, a biopsy or just a "wait and see" approach. Women can clear HPV and abnormal cells on their own. A new brand of tampons or condoms, for example could give an abnormal result. An abnormal result does not mean you have cancer.

Because we don't know whether or not abnormal cells will progress to cancer, they is a "cut and burn" attitude by some doctors that I do not personally agree with. I prefer my cervix intact.

It is my choice not to screen. It is up to every woman to make their own mind up about screening.

OMGimamum · 07/05/2014 22:11

So statistically, even as an informed HCP you feel it's not worth having a smear done picandmix?

Would most abnormalities 'right' themselves?

EverythingsDozy · 07/05/2014 22:12

Ah thanks carabos. In my friends case, she was just found on the bathroom floor in a puddle of blood Sad she was very lucky for it not to have spread! She had 11 eggs harvested for when she is ready to be a mum. She's been so brave, I'm so proud of her!

PicandMinx · 07/05/2014 22:12

carabos - you are spot on about HCP and screening - not one of the HCPs in my practice - male or female bother with it.

PicandMinx · 07/05/2014 22:17

Screening is not for me. I have never had a smear test or a mammogram. I am 56.

I'm not saying "don't bother with smear tests". I'm saying make up your own mind. Make your own informed decisions. Do your research. Find out why you are having a test. Ask questions.

PourquoiTuGachesTaVie · 07/05/2014 22:23

How can we make an informed choice when we aren't informed of the things picandmix has just explained? I could probably find out if I did detailed research but I would always start on the NHS website, which doesn't tell us these things. After you've exhausted the NHS website, how do I know which online resources are trustworthy (coming from a non-medical background)?

In my line of work (financial services), informed choice is based on the information we have given to the customer. We don't and can't expect them to do their own extensive research before taking out a product, obviously they can if they want to but all the relevant information is supposed to be there for them to see. If customers were told that none of the branch staff at a bank actually use the products themselves then this would make a difference to the customer's choice.

Given the intrusive nature of this procedure, being able to make an informed choice is really important but the average person will only know what the NHS tells them.

BonjourMinou · 07/05/2014 22:23

Never had one, I've been dodging them for years... Does it hurt? I had a sweep done as I was overdue before DD was born and it nigh on crippled me for the day.

Aeroflotgirl · 07/05/2014 22:25

Everything, if you are concerned and notice signs than borrow or save the money, it's not a kings rand some, it could save your life. I heard of a lady under 25 who went to her GP with obvious signs of cervical cancer, abnormal bleeding, pains rohnd the abdomen she was fobbed off 9 times due to age. She died shortly after. In that situation I would have found the money somehow for a private smear.

wobblyweebles · 07/05/2014 22:36

I was bullied into having one, thank goodness.

I've had them annually for 20 years now and am grateful for the privilege.

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