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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Ignoring my smear test

75 replies

Spagaletti · 18/01/2022 01:25

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 I'm about 6 months out of date.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.

OP posts:
foreverandalways · 18/01/2022 10:29

Are you for real....😡......I was extremely lucky when I was 25 years old and needed a complete emergency hysterectomy to save my life...I had a young family at the time...the smear test saved my life...get a grip, make the appointment...NOW

NotQuiteUsual · 18/01/2022 10:34

You need to just book it. I know they're awful and scary, but you have to do it sooner or later. You might as well get it done and then you can put it out your mind for years!

daisyjgrey · 18/01/2022 10:39

@foreverandalways

Are you for real....😡......I was extremely lucky when I was 25 years old and needed a complete emergency hysterectomy to save my life...I had a young family at the time...the smear test saved my life...get a grip, make the appointment...NOW

Fucking hell, i hope you don't have any aspirations to join the UN or anything Hmm

Alondra · 18/01/2022 10:58

Fucking hell, i hope you don't have any aspirations to join the UN or anything hmm

She's got a point though. For those who are still seeing this as being late for a regular pap smear, it's not.

Having a CIN2 means having a moderate pre-cancerous lesions in your cervix. Treatment is usually by Leep, the removal of the part of the cervix where the abnormal cells have been found.

Usual follow up revision is smears every 6 months for two years, and yearly smears for 3 years afterwards. After 5 years, you are cleared and can resume your normal pap routine - every 5 years these days.

I'm concerned that the OP in her original post seems not to have had any follow up/revisions since the original treatment 3 years ago and seems more scared about finding the results than the procedure itself.

Cervical cancer is completely preventable these days but having the test specially when you've had treatment for pre-cancerous cells, it's a must.

Spagaletti · 18/01/2022 11:10

I had a follow up smear test 6 months later @Alondra and then was put back onto 3 yearly smears. I did go to the initial follow up after 6 months. I take your point though and will get one booked.

The other complication is I have just finished treatment for Breast Cancer. And I really can't go through it all again. I know that's stupid because I know that's what kept me alive.

OP posts:
Alondra · 18/01/2022 11:16

I'm sorry you've been through such awful time Spagaletti. I really understand why there is a moment you just can't cope anymore and don't want any more bad news. But you need to do this.

Flowers
MaybeHeIsMyCat · 18/01/2022 11:19

I've just booked mine after this thread Smile
I had one booked and had to cancel as was spotting, they had an appointment for my next day off work. Now I have my 4th vaccine, blood tests and a smear on the same day!

Chely · 18/01/2022 11:19

Get booked in, I've never got why women put it off.
I had mine 3 months late but that was because our baby was born the month it was due. It was the fastest one and no awkward chit chat either as they did babys jabs at the same appointment.

heyitsthistle · 18/01/2022 11:21

I'll book it for you if you want

BogRollBOGOF · 18/01/2022 11:22

@Poppitt58

I’m the same, for different reasons though. I’m really struggling with the thought of having to wear a mask during the procedure. It’s so much of a trigger due to historical abuse. Not made easier by the fact that appointments are like gold dust.
I had my smear test done in May last year. It was initially due March-April 2020 and the GP practice ended up doing special clinics to catch up the backlog. I was phoned up about making an appointment and explained that I have difficulties wearing both masks and visors and being around people wearing masks (birth trauma and an assault). I'd had my initial jab and the nurse arranged to do it only wearing a visor so I could see her face. All went smoothly and it was a relief to get it done. Smile
Kitkat151 · 18/01/2022 11:27

@MaybeHeIsMyCat

I've just booked mine after this thread Smile I had one booked and had to cancel as was spotting, they had an appointment for my next day off work. Now I have my 4th vaccine, blood tests and a smear on the same day!
This is why I like threads like this....Scares people ( in a good way) to booking appointments.... it’s the push needed sometimes though OP I completely get where you are....but get it booked.....it will be the same when you book your follow up mammograms.... that feeling of dread again but once it’s done and you got clear results....you can breathe easy ......it’s just hanging over you at the moment....you are telling yourself you don’t want more bad news.....but everyday you don’t book it you are likely thinking the worst anyway.... book it today.....hope everything works out well for you 🍀
TimeForTheChristmasTree · 18/01/2022 11:27

You know you should go OP. 6 months isn’t too late. I was due one but was early in my pregnancy, so had to wait a year longer. Not ideal. But I went - it was uncomfortable and a bit painful. But I’m glad I went. I know that for some, it’s not that easy.

I hope you can get booked in soon. It’s not nice having it hanging over you, best wishes xx

CaMePlaitPas · 18/01/2022 11:36

I know it's so hard OP, you probably feel like you've had enough of people prodding and poking around but you know you must go. Get a date booked and prepare yourself for it through breathing. Talk to the nurse about your anxieties too.

The midwife who did mine said the best thing to do was hum or sing through it. I think I ended up humming "Happy Birthday" or something, by the time I'd finished so had she.

It's not a great experience, but you have 50% of the population by your side rooting for you. You'll be OK x

twisti · 18/01/2022 11:38

I sympathise.
I had CIN3 7 years ago and had lletz treatment for it.
Then had a check up 6 months later and put back on 3 yearly screening.
My test 3 years ago was clear thank god.
I'm now waiting on results from my smear last week and I can't relax.
The smear test nurse said that the nhs are trying to change things, and will hopefully bring in self testing for hpv. If the tests come back positive then you get invited for a smear.
The smear tests now just test for HPV first. If you are HPV negative then they don't even bother checking the smear slide.

Measureformeasure · 18/01/2022 11:45

@twisti

I sympathise. I had CIN3 7 years ago and had lletz treatment for it. Then had a check up 6 months later and put back on 3 yearly screening. My test 3 years ago was clear thank god. I'm now waiting on results from my smear last week and I can't relax. The smear test nurse said that the nhs are trying to change things, and will hopefully bring in self testing for hpv. If the tests come back positive then you get invited for a smear. The smear tests now just test for HPV first. If you are HPV negative then they don't even bother checking the smear slide.
I'm really glad to hear this is going to start happening. I find smear tests painful and extremely difficult. I struggled through my last one and cried when the letter came. I was HPV negative so they hadn't even checked the sample. I felt that I'd been through a traumatic experience for nothing.
Oblomov22 · 18/01/2022 12:23

"I've never got why women put it off."
No shit Sherlock. You can't imagine for one moment why some people find them extremely distressing?

Have you ever met some abused? Raped? PTSD. Horrific birth experience.

painful-smears

If your child has a fit and nearly died, or your husband had a heart attack and you thought you'd lost him?

For most A smear is just minorly embarrassing, For others it's a tiny bit uncomfortable. For some it's really bad. Can you comprehend that?

I hate them. More than I hate anything else medical. I don't know why I hate them so much. I've tried all the techniques, all the recommendations, pain relief before, the whole hand sitting on my hands does nothing. I have an inverted cervix, they could never get it in, they try the small, they try the long thin, they try this, they try that, they often fail, nearly every time, it's incredibly painful. The most painful medical thing I have ever experienced in my whole life and I've had toothache, injections into my eyes, and two children by cs. and they were a walk in the park compare to smears. that probably sounds weird to you, if smears don't bother you. because you've never experienced it or you're not one of those types for whom it's very painful.

but please have an ounce of respect and understand there are some women for whom it is for whatever reason incredibly painful.

Kitkat151 · 18/01/2022 20:26

@Chely

Get booked in, I've never got why women put it off. I had mine 3 months late but that was because our baby was born the month it was due. It was the fastest one and no awkward chit chat either as they did babys jabs at the same appointment.
Are you really that ignorant that you don’t get why some women put it off??? Really???🙄 They don’t bother me at all.... but for lots of women it’s a traumatic experience..... as I’m sure you know🙄..... why would you post shit like this knowing it’s going to be upsetting for some people to read your little throw away comment... . Shame on you
Shiteshow100 · 18/01/2022 20:36

Book it!! I had clear 3 years ago and HPV neg. Last may I had my smear which came back CIN3 and HPV positive. I had a lletz under GA. Yes it was terrifying and I'm still terrified as I am currently 19 wks pregnant so haven't had my 6 month check yet.
Please have your smear done but most women won't have further changes following a keep or lletz so stay positive.

Shiteshow100 · 18/01/2022 20:41

Forgot to say I have a history of sexual abuse and I found it really distressing but your health is important and it can be treated. Ask your doc for some diazepam if the anxiety is to bad they will give it to you.

Oblomov22 · 18/01/2022 20:48

I don't even have anxiety. I just hate smears.

countingto10 · 18/01/2022 21:11

I’m six months late for my smear, going tomorrow now. Went to the doctors for something else last week and saw receptionist to book in (impossible to get through on phone), was told there were no appointments as a nurse was walking past, who told receptionist to book me in with her for the following week Confused.

For the past 30 years, I have always had them done on my side as I have an inverted womb, nurses find it hard to see my cervix and I find them extremely painful. After a really trying time years ago, a very experienced nurse told me to have them on my side in future. Never had any problems since.

BashfulClam · 19/01/2022 11:57

@countingto10 I have an inverted womb abs had to lie on my side this time. I was surprised how much easier it was. She tried twice when I was on my back but i couldn’t seem to relax. It’s a bit more undignified but she’s already looking at my bits and bobs anyway.

starrynight87 · 19/01/2022 12:00

I can't have a screening, due to a bad experience when I was young. I had my only successful one 2 years ago when I was having a surgical procedure to have the coil.

I wish at-home tests were out - I saw they are just doing a few testing sites for it. If it was Men's Health it would be common place.

Vgbeat · 19/01/2022 12:52

Please go, I ignored mine and ended up with adage 2b cervical cancer. I had tonshatter my then 8 uear old daughters world. Touch wood I'm 2 and 5 years on now but the fear is always there and my biggest regret is I should have gone.

Spagaletti · 21/01/2022 22:08

It took me a few days but I got it booked today for 7th Feb. Thanks all

OP posts:
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