Annoyed about repeated smear test?

[Throwthevodks]

Twice I’ve had to go into hospital for a biopsy after my smear results. It’s a horrible experience. I went last year and got the letter to confirm everything was ok and I wouldn’t need to attend for 3 years.

Now just a year later they are sending more letters to say I need to book in for my smear test - exactly what they did before after the hospital results came back fine the first time.

I can’t keep having a smear tests every year to just keep going to hospital, I feel so upset that they think this is ok.

[LaSevillana]

So don't go. Nobody can force you. Just make sure not to come here whingeing you've got cervical cancer.

I for one feel privileged to live in a country where I can get smears done free of charge and follow ups to make sure nothing is wrong, rather than dying a horrible death decades before my time, but maybe I'm the weird one.

[Throwthevodks]

Sorry you’re unable to understand my post.

[RedDiamond]

Sorry but you have some misinformation somewhere. If you are called into hospital after abnormal smear results, you are automatically put on a yearly recall for 3 years to have a smear. Not 3 years until your next smear.

[FlissyPaps]

Did you query with your GP/the hospital why they sent for you again after 1 year?

If not, please do - as it could have been a human or system error where numerous patients have been invited to attend again.

[LaSevillana]

@Throwthevodks

Sorry you’re unable to understand my post.

What makes you think I don't understand? I've had a much, much worse time with smears than you've described. Multiple biopsies, six monthly hospital checkups for years on end. I was mostly just glad I was being looked after, despite the inconvenience and unpleasantness. If you feel otherwise, you genuinely don't have to go. It's your choice.

What do you want people to say? Poor you? Poor you being invited for tests that could detect cancer? What are you looking for here?

[2022again]

i was on 6 monthly recalls for a couple of years but never needed a biopsy so i can understand why this is tough for you to consider. Have you ever tested positive for HPV? i know the protocols/testing regimes are changing somehow in wales and scotland (?england) where there is more targeted checks for those who have tested positive for HPV and then less testing for those who have always been negative (age dependant) so it may be worth checking with the screening service to understand why you are being called sooner unexpectedly.

[Marshmellow123]

Contact your GP surgery and book an appointment with your practice nurse, they will look into it for you and explain. A 12 month recall normally indicates hpv positive so recall in 12 months time.

[Sunshine222]

Shocked by some off the horrible comments on here

[TheGlitterati]

If you’re HPV positive you’re an annual recall.

please go. I am HPV positive and had annual smears for 3 years. Negative for abnormal cells each time. My last time I had severe cell changes and needed treatment to prevent me getting cancer. I am waiting to see if I’ve got the all clear.

it’s stressful yes but less stressful than cancer.

[user1471457751]

@Sunshine222 I don't see any horrible comments just a reality check for the OP reminding her that she doesn't have to have these tests but they are for her benefit.

[Applegreenb]

@Sunshine222 completely agree with you!

Bet they wouldn’t say this to OPs face.

[WhackingPhoenix]

Gosh, how dare they think it’s okay to offer you potentially life-saving screening

Go if you want to go, don’t if you don’t. It’s optional.

[FOJN]

Once upon a time you would be on annual recalls for 10 years if there was any abnormality on your smear test and you had to go for colposcopy; it was like a game of snakes and ladders, if you had anymore abnormal results in that 10 years you had to start all over again. I was very grateful they were so thorough. Yes it's inconvenient but not as much as the alternative if abnormal cells are not detected early enough.

[ObjectionHearsay]

I'm not sure I'm following.

You are upset that the NHS are offering you a vital health screening service, to ensure you do not develop possible horrific health issues.

I mean, nobody is forcing you to go. But for the sake of ten minutes and a smear test with possible follow up care/further investigation if anything untoward was found, I'd certainly go.

But it's up to you ultimately 🤷🏻‍♀️

[Mummyoflittledragon]

This is normal. For your own protection. It doesn’t mean you’ll have to go to hospital again. I get biopsies are painful and unpleasant.

[XmasElf10]

I had my annual check up today after my smear issues last year. I had 2 colposcopies and a repeat smear after my one last year. Luckily all was ok in the end, was pretty scary though. I wouldn’t be surprised to have to do it again after this smear and it will still be scary. Way better than undiagnosed cervical cancer though. Don’t moan, be grateful you get top notch screening.

[Throwthevodks]

@XmasElf10

I had my annual check up today after my smear issues last year. I had 2 colposcopies and a repeat smear after my one last year. Luckily all was ok in the end, was pretty scary though. I wouldn’t be surprised to have to do it again after this smear and it will still be scary. Way better than undiagnosed cervical cancer though. Don’t moan, be grateful you get top notch screening.

The doctor said to me that I wouldn’t have to go for three years.

Why say that if I’m going to get constant letters the next year to have one?!

[Darkstar4855]

Why not contact the GP surgery and ask them to look into it for you? They should have copies of the letters from your previous biopsies.

The screening process has recently changed in some areas and the three year rule no longer applies so it might be due to that.

[passport123]

@Throwthevodks

The doctor said to me that I wouldn’t have to go for three years.

Why say that if I’m going to get constant letters the next year to have one?!

Double check, but yearly checks for 3 years after colposcopy is fairly standard.

[TheGlitterati]

@passport123

Double check, but yearly checks for 3 years after colposcopy is fairly standard.

Not at my trust.

if you are HPV positive you’ll be on annual recall, regardless of colposcopy findings.

if you’re HPV negative, you’re in a 3 yearly recall. This is even if you have received treatment for CIN3 cells.

[TheGlitterati]

Same question. Are you HPV positive?

[LaSevillana]

@Throwthevodks

The doctor said to me that I wouldn’t have to go for three years.

Why say that if I’m going to get constant letters the next year to have one?!

Maybe they were wrong? Who cares? What does it actually change for you?

I can't wrap my head around your total ingratitude for the free, potentially life saving service you're being offered. If I were you, I'd be much happier having them every year for peace of mind. Would you rather wait three years and then it turns out you've got terminal cancer?

I truly do not get it.

If you don't want them, then don't go. Nobody can force you. But maybe have a long, hard think about how many women around the world die of this preventable cancer because they have no access to screening and give your head a fucking wobble. You sound so petulant.

[RockingMyFiftiesNot]

I have been HPV positive for 3 years, so am called for annual smears because of that. I had a colposcopy at the end of last year, following which they told me at the hospital it would be back to 3 years between smears. The letter to my GP & copy to me explaining about this took 5 months to be sent!!!. If I had been due my yearly (because of HPV) smear, the surgery would have sent me an invitation as they wouldn't have known the outcome of the colposcopy. Perhaps something like this has happened to you? Only the surgery can tell you.

Now I personally would rather go annually as I still have HPV, and the minutes waiting for the doctor to tell me the outcome of my colposcopy were the longest of my life.
Cancer treatment would be way more unpleasant and scary than a smear.

[Mummyoflittledragon]

@Throwthevodks

The doctor said to me that I wouldn’t have to go for three years.

Why say that if I’m going to get constant letters the next year to have one?!

We don’t know why your Doctor said this. But they’re wrong. We can only advise you to look after yourself and have an annual smear. I get they’re a bit shit. But nothing like what I’ve been and continue to go through.