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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be angry I was refused a smear?

55 replies

UniverseSeekerUK · 02/09/2021 13:03

I have had abnormal bleeding between periods now for over two years. Prior to covid I had an ultrasound, swabs and STI checks which all came back clear. Things were left and no follow ups were done but the bleeding continued and fatigue and pains in my groin area began so I went back to the doctor a few months ago where they repeated the swabs which came back negative. As a result, they referred me to gynae but because of the long wait time they also booked me in for a smear as in January next year it would have been three years since my last one which came back low grade cell changes.
I went today for my smear but the nurse cataorically refused to do it as it hadn't been the three years since my last one. She said I would have to wait for gynae.
Am I being unreasonable to be angry and scared that she wouldn't do it or would you understand them following protocal?

OP posts:
TwoPaperAirplanes · 02/09/2021 14:43

As others have said, a smear is routinely done for asymptotic women to prevent cervical cancer.

I had symptoms so was referred directly for colposcopy, a smear test would have been a waste of time and nhs resources.

You need to see the gynae, it's gone past smear test stage now.

I hope it's nothing awful and you get seen to soon Thanks

Thisisworsethananticpated · 02/09/2021 14:44

Push
Write a very firm and civilised letter to practice manager stating concerns
Use statistical back up
Good luck x

AnnaSW1 · 02/09/2021 14:45

Read you post and thought it sounds just like fibroids

furbabymama87 · 02/09/2021 14:47

I had a bit of bleeding between periods a few years ago and asked for a smear. Was told no as it had only been a year, but was instead examined by a doctor and referred for a colopacopy. Smear tests are for women with no symptoms, as you have, you should be fast forwarded to colposcopy.

ittakes2 · 02/09/2021 15:05

Sorry you are going through this - I had CIN3 and part of my cervix was chopped off so I was being tested every year but after a period you get signed off and go back to the normal schedule. When I had issues and I wanted a smear 'earlier' the nurse explained if she did it the lab would refuse to test it and it would be sent back. She also said I had to go to gynae before a smear. So I think its annoying and she might not have explained things properly but because you are under the period its the lab dictacting the timing not the nurse.

ManifestDestinee · 02/09/2021 15:06

@Thisisworsethananticpated

Push Write a very firm and civilised letter to practice manager stating concerns Use statistical back up Good luck x
There is no statistical back up, as a smear is not clinically indicated. Write the "firmest" letter you want, it will make no difference.
BroccoliFloret · 02/09/2021 15:08

Whereas on the flip side, I had a hysterectomy 5 years ago and my cervix was removed too, i must have had 5 letters over the last 18 months very crossly reminding my I need to book a smear.

On a cervix I don't have any more.

Iris2020 · 02/09/2021 15:53

If you can afford it, do one privately. There are lots of places offering them.

ManifestDestinee · 02/09/2021 16:08

@Iris2020

If you can afford it, do one privately. There are lots of places offering them.
Do you not understand that she doesn't need one?
icedcoffees · 02/09/2021 16:10

Do you not understand that she doesn't need one?

Why doesn't she need one? She's having unexplained bleeding and has had numerous tests to rule out other causes - she needs to checked for cervical cancer ASAP.

ManifestDestinee · 02/09/2021 16:11

@icedcoffees

Do you not understand that she doesn't need one?

Why doesn't she need one? She's having unexplained bleeding and has had numerous tests to rule out other causes - she needs to checked for cervical cancer ASAP.

You could...just throwing this out here...maybe read the thread where multiple posters have explained multiple times why she doesn't? Hmm
MsMD · 02/09/2021 16:52

A smear doesn't show whether you have cancer. It looks for certain signs , like cell changes, which indicates further testing which then might indicate a cancer diagnosis. OP is already being referred to gynae who will do additional testing, so the smear isn't necessary.

Corrag · 02/09/2021 19:15

OP has also confirmed that she doesn't have the funds to go private, so maybe people could RTFT and stop suggesting that.

Original poster
UniverseSeekerUK · 03/09/2021 12:21

Thank you everyone for your input here.
I guess I will just wait for the gynae referral and hopefully its nothing x

OP posts:
PrincessNutella · 03/09/2021 12:25

Yes, you should be outraged. This is a highly preventable cancer and you should be tested immediately. WTF!!!

ManifestDestinee · 03/09/2021 12:30

@PrincessNutella

Yes, you should be outraged. This is a highly preventable cancer and you should be tested immediately. WTF!!!
Christ almighty. Is the level of outrage inversely proportionate to the level of sense or ability to read?
lockdownmadnessdotcom · 03/09/2021 12:38

You don't need a smear test, you need a transvaginal ultrasound scan.

I had lots of bleeding about 10 years ago and it was a uterine polyp.

lockdownmadnessdotcom · 03/09/2021 12:39

(I see you had an ultrasound but was it transvaginal?

TrampolineForMrKite · 03/09/2021 12:41

@ThePontiacBandit

I was called in by practice at the wrong time (no idea why). The nurse checked my records and said it was too early. She said if she did the smear and sent it away they would refuse to process it so there was no point in doing it…I wonder if that’s the case here? I imagine if the gynae team want one they will arrange it and it will get processed.
This also happened to me. I refused to leave and said I would take the risk and wanted it done anyway. They didn’t refuse to process it. Can’t believe this fuckery and incompetence wasn’t just a one off being told to me in my surgery.
Disfordarkchocolate · 03/09/2021 12:45

Your sample would be rejected by the lab so no nurse should take your test, it would be unethical.

You should have been referred far earlier.

MrsPnut · 03/09/2021 12:46

@UniverseSeekerUK I would go back to your GP and ask that your referral is done under the 2 week pathway. I can understand how scared you are and getting a colposcopy quickly would help you to determine what you are dealing with.

I had a smear last year and was just about to get dressed when I told the nurse that I had been bleeding after sex for the past 6 weeks or so. She took swabs and sent me for an ultrasound, both of which were clear, but my smear came back as abnormal.

I had a colposcopy and they discovered that I had vaginal cancer. I’ve had treatment and now see a gynaecologist every 3 months which will eventually spread out to more infrequently.

ManifestDestinee · 03/09/2021 13:00

This also happened to me. I refused to leave and said I would take the risk and wanted it done anyway. They didn’t refuse to process it. Can’t believe this fuckery and incompetence wasn’t just a one off being told to me in my surgery

It's not fuckery and incompetence (well it is, but it's yours rather than theirs).

boreduser · 04/09/2021 18:16

Seconding what everyone else is saying here - you should definitely push this but another smear isn't the best way.

Out of interest, are you on the mini pill? I brought up concerns about irregular bleeding at my last smear and was told that I should book a GP appointment just to be sure, but that it's fairly common for POP takers. Not trying to downplay this at all but might be reassuring if you're on the mini.

Above all, you know your body, and booking a GP appointment to be on the safe side is definitely best.

Mousecapade · 04/09/2021 18:18

It would be rejected - lab won’t process them early

takemetomars · 04/09/2021 18:28

[quote ThinWomansBrain]there's a research trial going on - if your area is participating, could you get tested within that?
www.england.nhs.uk/2021/02/nhs-gives-women-hpv-home-testing-kits-to-cut-cancer-deaths/[/quote]
No, not appropriate