Page 2 | Ignoring my smear test

ILoveMyMonkey · 18/01/2022 08:33

Jade Goody ignored hers and now she’s dead.

Please just go and get it done, ignoring it won’t change the results but not ignoring it might save your life.

Mindymomo · 18/01/2022 08:48

I’ve had a smear and a mammogram recently, both are now really quick, they want you in and out asap. The smear was about 5 seconds and mammogram less than 5 minutes. Neither are nice, but are necessary.

FrankGrillosWrist · 18/01/2022 09:03

Feel lucky that you have that choice, Jade Goody didn’t until it was far too late.

Poppitt58 · 18/01/2022 09:04

so it SHOULDN'T be difficult to get an appointment.

They’re going to need to pick up the phone then! Psyching yourself up to make the phone call, to spend 30 minutes of hold and then be cut off doesn’t help.

It’s been made harder since they’ve reduced e consult to the time I’m at work. (2 hours each morning) I used to just fill in a quick form in the evening and it was great. They’ve even begun closing e consult during school holidays. So a service that was amazing for people who work has been made ridiculous to access.

Oblomov22 · 18/01/2022 09:23

The hounding of a woman is ott on this thread, about JG etc. She's 6 months late. She's going to book. 6 months is nothing, they only get sent every 3 years, and they weren't even doing them in covid!
I went for mine last month, was cancelled twice because of covid.

fizzypiggy · 18/01/2022 09:27

Try and ignore the scary replies on here.

I understand how you feel. Anxiety around health is so so hard because it feels overwhelming and out of your control.

The truth is, you've been through a diagnosis you didn't expect before so you can do it. BUT there is a strong chance there is absolutely nothing wrong this time.

I put off my smear test for 3 years (I know!) after a similar situation before and I did it and it came back fine.

My mindset now is that you can put off a test, but you cannot change the result. Knowing about it sooner will put your mind at rest.

itonlyneededlove · 18/01/2022 09:29

Another telling you to get it booked , my last one was done wonderfully by GP and practice nurse who gave me a half hour - extremely anxious due to previous assault/abuse. They couldn’t have been kinder . GP even phoned me the next morning to make sure I was alright . Definitely get it booked, and organise yourself a treat of some sort for afterwards too

saleorbouy · 18/01/2022 09:30

Just go, either way you have the information to make informed decisions and have access to treatment if required.
Millions of women the world over do not have free access to this type of healthcare and would love it.
Take to plunge and do the right thing and put your mind at rest.

MrsSkylerWhite · 18/01/2022 09:31

Please book and go

VickyEadieofThigh · 18/01/2022 09:34

@Spagaletti

I know I need one. I'm about 6 months out of date. That's not too bad is it? 3 years ago I had CIN2 and treatment for it. I suppose part of me is really scared of going through it again. And what if I now have cervical cancer? I'll have the knowledge I ignored it for 6 months longer than I should have. I even know I'm being really illogical.

You know what we're all going to say - but is it that you need to hear us all telling you that you must arrange an appointment asap?

Decades ago (I'm talking late 80s, my best friend's sister ignored smear test letters for several years. Eventually, symptoms told her to go to the GP and not long after he referred her as an emergency, she had a total abdominal hysterectomy for advanced cancer.

The good news is - she is still with us and has suffered no further cancers. BUT - if she'd gone promptly, she wouldn't have had the TAH and taken such risks with her life.

Even if you have cancer, it's very treatable IF caught early. GO NOW!

generalh · 18/01/2022 09:35

I ignored mine for a few years and ended up have treatment for pre cancerous cells. Please don't put it off.

daisyjgrey · 18/01/2022 09:35

You're all aware that stories of awkward, embarrassing positions, hysterectomies and dead celebrities etc aren't how to calmly talk to a nervous person...yes?

FTEngineerM · 18/01/2022 09:36

Embarrassingly I was also a ‘putter offer’ and ignored my first appointment in my early twenties. Then whilst getting contraception advise the doctor just said.. ‘look I’ll do it now and then it’s over with’ so I agreed, it was horrible. I ended up ignoring for the next…. 8 years. Just had it done last week and I wound myself right up, sweating palms the lot. All for NOTHING, it was fine, well I don’t know the result yet but the experience was fine. Nothing compared to every Tom Dick and Harry going wrist deep when I was in labour anyway.

Just go.
You’ll feel better after regardless of the result.
If it’s something that needs treatment after then at least you know.

This isn’t Schrödingers cervix. You have one and it could require treatment.

Alondra · 18/01/2022 09:44

@Oblomov22

The hounding of a woman is ott on this thread, about JG etc. She's 6 months late. She's going to book. 6 months is nothing, they only get sent every 3 years, and they weren't even doing them in covid! I went for mine last month, was cancelled twice because of covid.

No one is hounding her. She was CIN2 three years ago and was treated. This is not just being late 6 months for a regular pap smear.

JugglingJanuary · 18/01/2022 09:46

I have a terrible time having them done.

But a few years ago I promised a poster on here I'd go (MrsDeVere) & I did & I go now when I get my letter, simply because I promised her I would.

I still have a lot of problems with them & the woman that did it last time was really horrible. I should have lodged a complaint but I didn't, but I'll never have her again. But I will go as soon as they 'invite' me because I will not let her put me off doing what I need to do for MY health.

ticktockriojaoclock · 18/01/2022 09:47

OP, I've never had one done. Shameful. But reading your post has been the kick up the bum I needed, I called the gp practice this morning and got it booked. First scary step is done. Good luck, and thanks :)

CornishGem1975 · 18/01/2022 09:47

I never miss one because I find them easy, stress-free and painless but I know that's not the case for everyone.

For anyone putting it off because of a traumatic experience or fear, speak to your GP. My friend has hers done under sedation.

itonlyneededlove · 18/01/2022 09:48

My GP has previously prescribed diazepam too - a GP friend also suggested a glass of wine first (not to be combined with the diazepam !!) - if you’re extremely worried that might be an option? Jo’s Trust are really good with information and advice .

I had to have internals very regularly during my teens and twenties - at one stage I was being examined monthly - due to long term health issues, so totally understand anxiety/fear, but honestly the last two or three times it hasn’t been as bad as before .

stingofthebutterfly · 18/01/2022 09:56

Please, take a deep breath and pick up the phone. We are so lucky that we are able to access screening in this country. So many women don't have that available to them. Yes, it's not particularly nice, but it could be lifesaving. It's nothing to be embarrassed about as the nurse will have seen it all before, and won't give a damn what you look like down there.

I watched an 8 year old, in my daughter's class, lose her mum to cervical cancer. I'd hate to see that happen again.

PerfectlyImperfectme · 18/01/2022 09:57

Get booked & get done
Far less invasive & traumatic than the worst case scenario.
Early detection = higher positive outcome & less invasive treatments.
I'm assuming you'll want treating if it's cancer at some point ? Why not use the NHS correctly & get your lifesaving smear test so you can know what's going on & not sit fretting.
Sorry if that's harsh

Buildingthefuture · 18/01/2022 10:02

They are grim and I hate them, but I always go. I have to really psych myself up to do it, but it’s never as bad as I imagine and I sort out a treat for myself afterwards (order some new shoes or get a takeaway etc). Don’t think about it, just pick up the phone and book it. As soon as it’s done you can forget about it. The worry is always worse than the actual thing xx

BobBobbity · 18/01/2022 10:03

I totally get that irrational fear where you build the whole thing up and then the fact you are late doing it just adds to to worry and it all becomes overwhelming.

Try to imagine the relief you will feel when it’s done, when that weight isn’t hanging over you. Only way to get to that point is phone up and make the appointment.

TitsInAbsentia · 18/01/2022 10:21

Please go

irishfarmer · 18/01/2022 10:24

6 months isn't too far out. But do get it booked.

Kitkat151 · 18/01/2022 10:26

@Bubblesandsqueak1

Most smears are now every 5 years they changed it recently from 3

Only if you are over 50 otherwise it’s still 3 yearly