To wonder why they invite people for a smear six months before they actually turn 25

[Tellmelies65]

Ds1 girlfriend has just got her smear test invite. She’s not 25 till June so was quite surprised to receive it a whole six months before her actual birthday.

It is normally up to 6 months before the 25th birthday

I had laser treatment for pre-cancerous cells at age 24. In the days they called you earlier. I’m 56 now.

On the other hand my call for my first mammogram was almost two years after I turned 50 and they discovered cancer.

I’m not sure what the issue is. You don’t magically become more susceptible at 25.

Earlier the better. I don't know why they wait to 25.

I definitely had my first at uni so 18-21.

Exactly. I had very wtf ment at doctors when I was 23 and they told me no smear before 25. At that point I had 6 done already before immigrating here...

It's a good thing imo. It should be 18.

I imagine it takes quite a lot of women a while to summon up the courage to go for the first time, better to be called early than late anyway

What’s the problem?
It should be younger so the earlier the better

Probably because it allows time for the appointment to be made that fits in with your cycle. Surely it’s a good thing even if it’s a few months before expected?

I was 17 when I had my first.
Dd will be having them privately if I can get them.
I find the 25 thing ridiculous.

Bloody hell. I had pre cancerous cells lasered at 19. They absolutely should not leave it to 25!

No I completely agree it should be 18 but obviously it is 25 so she was curious why they don’t just invite her when she actually is 25

It shouldn't be 18. It should be when one starts having sex. That's how it was where I grew up. Yearly

Whatever it is you are trying to say op, is it really an AIBU?

Does your sons girlfriend know you are starting a thread about her private medical affairs? If be creeped out if my boyfriend's mum started a thread about me and my medical appointments.

Ha. I just assumed it's made up to start a discussion

Yes she does. She’s quite open with me I’ve known her since she was 14.

Am I wrong to think the age is 25 now because of the introduction of the vaccine - which is meant to massively reduce the chances of developing cancer?

They used to be a lot earlier - I’ve been having for years and years but then the vaccine is fairly recent isn’t it? Therefore it does sort of make sense why it is now 25.... although at my recent smear the nurse told me that she sees women for their smears who had the vaccine who test positive for HPV and thinks the vaccine is given too late... should be earlier.

I know this wasn’t the point of the thread - just got me thinking!

The reason its 25 is because they assume you wont become sexually active untill late teens. The smear tests for HPV (a STD) which is the leading cause of cervical cancer. It usually takes 10 to 30 years for the virus to lead to cancer hence the 25 age limit.
While it is the leading cause there are other causes. Also the research indicates the amount of time it usually takesso there will be some cases outside these numbers.

I'm another one who had to have a colposcooy age 25.
I do agree it should be younger

I think there is an issue with false positives under 25 or thereabouts but I am not medically qualified so maybe someone can correct me on that.

To get them to book in instead of ignoring it I'd guess, or so they have time to do so at their leisure. I got my letter and booked in immediately.

They told me I was too young at 24 but I showed them my letter. I also told them that my best friend had just had her first smear at 25.5 and was positive, letz ineffective and needed laparoscopy and cone biopsy.

They let me have it at 24. In Scotland it's 21 I believe.

And my friend had the HPV vaccine as did I.

Sorry colposcopy not laparoscopy.

Sometimes it takes that long to pluck up the courage and book the appointment