cancelling smear

[afreshstartplease]

Aibu to be considering cancelling the smear I have booked this week?
It's my first one and I'm nearly 27

Scared

So glad you're going to have it op. It's not fun but it's not as bad as you're imagining either. You'll come out of there wondering what you were so worried about

They're not compulsory. If you choose not to have one, that is your choice.

If you are not comfortable having a smear, can I suggest having an annual urine test to check for HPV instead? (This is what I do, although I currently have to pay to have it done privately)

They check for 2 categories of HPV, Strain 16 and 18 (together) cause around 70% of all cervical, anal and vaginal cancers. There are also assorted other High Risk strains that cause the bulk of the remaining 30% and are tested for together.

If you test positive for either of these two categories, two years running, then I would agree that having a smear would probably be a good idea, but the indiscriminate screening of all women by way of smear causes a lot of false positives and unnecessary worry for women.

I believe the NHS is going to bring in urine testing in the future... this is quite useful info.

No problem :)

First of all you'll have a quick consultation with the smear taker. Let them know its your first smear
and you're nervous and use this time to explain what's worrying you. It
means they can tailor the
examination to you.
Next you'll go behind a screen and
take the bottom half of your clothes
off. If you don't want to feel too nude
long socks might be the way to go.
This is what I do myself when I go for
mine. You'll then hop up on the couch and you can cover yourself with the modesty blanket, which is usually a great big bit of the paper roll for the couch.
Next the smear taker will come round and help you into the right position. They'll put some jelly onto a speculum, which looks a bit like a duck's bill, so that is more comfortable and gently insert it. Once
its in and you are comfortable they will then gently open the speculum so the cervix is visible. Sometimes this can feel a bit uncomfortable, like a sharp pain but it only lasts a second or two. Once the cervix is visible they'll use a soft plastic brush to collect the sample. They use a rotating motion (imagine turning a broom round by its handle with out taking the bristles off the floor). This takes about 5 seconds. After that they'll close the speculum and take it out - job done :)

I had cervical cancer last year. I was lucky. A smear picked it up. I had to have a hysterectomy and my lymph nodes removed. Because it was picked up so early, it hadn't spread into the lymph nodes and I didn't need chemo.
Thank God for smear tests is all I can say.

It's hard to look at my children and imagine them without me.

Did you have internal examinations/sweep from the MW or Dr when you were pg OP?

TBH I found having a smear test easier than having a sweep and much much easier than having waters broken.

I've never had a sleep, I have had internals and my waters broken three times

Sweep not sleep ffs

Fresh it is a piece of piss - really, really simple.

I've had smears since I was 17, and it is absolutely nothing to worry about. I find producing a wee sample on demand more difficult than smears.

In the nicest possible way, you need to just get on with it. The fear is much worse than the reality - I promise. You've had kids, compared to that a smear is absolutely nothing at all.

When is your appointment?

Ty dayglo.

If you've had your waters broken 3 times, having a smear will be absolutely nothing compared to that. I promise you it is nothing to worry about x

The 30 seconds that it takes you to open the results feels like a lifetime, until (hopefully) you get that clear result.

Do it, the minute of the examination is long forgotten by that result.

I didn't feel anything when my waters were broken but I Was already in full blown labour

Have you thought about looking at smear videos on you tube? Might help to visualise what to expect?

Posted too soon.
The sample taking can feel a bit crampy, like very, very mild period pain.
Things to bear in mind are that you are completely in charge, we can't touch a patient without their consent so if you're not sure or need more reassuring, just ask. Its our job to treat you well.
Secondly, I see the vulva for about 3 seconds during the whole process. I've seen billions of them and none are horrible or in any way a cause for embarrassment to their owners.
Thirdly, the test isn't for cervical cancer, its for cell changes that could in some cases if left without treatment lead to cancer some time down the line.
The treatment for these changes is much easier than for cervical cancer so it is worth your while going.

Hope this helps, like I said you'll be fine :)

People are being very kind, you really do need to woman up and do this, for yourself and for your children. I have had 2 lots of pre-cancerous cells lasered off and have annual smears. The consequences had I not had a smear don't bear thinking about.

I find the whole chit chat while someone has a McDonald's spoon up your foof more embarrassing than anything.

You can do it, be brave and afterwards you'll wonder what all the fuss was about. Honestly

Afreshstart thanks, and sorry to be arsey, good luck with it. You'll be fine, just take a deep breath and think of something calming or something funny.

I always think of it like the dentist, not the most pleasant way to spend a few minutes but the reality isn't as bad as the thought of it and then it's done for a bit.

Ignore the judgmental comments on here but do not cancel. And if pain relief will help, go with it. Again, ignore the comments from the holier than thou posters. They are not you. Do what works for you to make sure that you have the smear.

My friend advised a longish top the first time I went so you don't have your belly exposed, but it's so quick and very little discomfort. I have bled a bit a couple of times afterwards, so usually put a pantyliner in my pocket for afterwards when I'm getting dressed.

I promise you, OP, I am the most hypochondriac jumpy nervebag when it comes to smears because of a difficult experience with a doctor a few years ago (not a smear, a small operation in the same sort of vicinity which the doctor did very badly and insensitively). I put off having a smear for 6 years after that experience. Was pulled up by new doctors and was very nervous but it was absolutely fine, it did not hurt at all and it was negative. It will be absolutely fine. I understand how scared you are and when anyone is that scared they deserve credit for being brave enough to overcome it regardless of how easy others find the same thing.

I tested negative for HPV but I had precancerous cells at age 25 so don't rely on the urine test.

My cells were CIN III, and after a colposcopy I had smear tests every six months for three years, now yearly. Uncomfortable, yes, but I assume much more comfortable than cancer treatment and a much better alternative than leaving my child without a mother. Please go, OP.

Hi OP. I havent read all the replies, but just wanted to add my support and say please dont cancel.

Talk to the doctor. Tell them you are feeling nervous. Many women find the idea of a smear test embarrassing, awkward, frightening etc. Health professionals are used to it.

Smear tests are very quick and usually only mildly uncomfortable, and the chances are that you will be absolutely fine. You KNOW this is a very important way of taking care of your health, so try to talk through your fears with your doctor and face this head on. It could be a life saver.

There are also some great charities (Jo's Trust is one) who can talk to you about how to approach a smear if you are feeling nervous. But its too important to just bury your head in the sand.

I'm feeling very sad right now, as an old friend is dying of cervical cancer. She is 36 and a mother of three and hasnt got long left. Her cancer was a very slow growing type of cancer which if it had been caught at any stage really in the last few years, might have been cured. But she never had a smear and so it wasnt picked up until it had spread to her lungs and liver . She had been sexually abused as a child and felt unable to face a smear test or to talk to anyone about her fears. It breaks my heart. If she had just told someone...there are ways around these things...she could have received support.

Good luck, be open about how you feel and be strong x

what RaisingMen said - I had a colposcopy this year - it was a scary time (also had surgery due to possible ovarian issues) - I am glad I had my smear - please go for yours

a bit of embarrassment is way better than cancer

Also had a colposcopy at 29.
I had missed 2 smear tests 9 (they used to be done annually)
Cousin had inoperable cervical cancer; thankfully she survived; so I thought I must get checked out.
Possibly saved my life.