I’m 33 and I’ve never had a smear test

[Spacehopp]

I’ve got a 3 year old son, but I had a c-section with him that I chose to have as I’m so scared of things being put inside me (I don’t mean a penis obviously, but ‘instruments’)

I refused all internal examinations while I was pregnant too.

So apart from sex and my mooncup I use every month when I’m on my period, I’ve not had anything put inside me or had a medical professional’s fingers etc in there.
The thought makes me feel physically ill.

I keep getting letters about the smear and just throwing them in the bin. I feel embarrassed about it. But I also think if men had to go through this kind of invasive procedure, they would have come up with something else by now.

Sorry that was to OP, possibly an local ansthetic gel might help with pain?

But smears don’t actually check for cancer any more. They only test for HPV.

I always book it as soon as the invite comes through the letter box. I dread going but just get it done. I am always very anxious about it.

Just saw this while scrolling through Twitter

I guess the doctor or nurse performing the smear also gets to have a look at the cervix too so not completely useless?

@Spacehopp I read your first post and had to reply.

Do you have any idea how absolutely insulting you're being saying "if men had to go through this they would have come up with something else by now". You don't think that perhaps in even just one of the University research centres, Educational institution or major hospitals in this world there's maybe even just one loan woman researching this, or looking for novel ways of testing?

Your comment absolutely stinks. It tramples on the hours and hours of dedication, research, commitment and passion of every female scientist out there. And hey, call me generous or deluded, but many of those selfish male scientists who only research matters affecting men, you know, they occassional forget their designation in life and try to make life better for the whole of society, not just their fellow manly ones.

@knittingaddict so it’s not routine screening for men then is it? Totally irrelevant.

Medicine is inherently misogynistic. from the beginning, women have been treated as inferior forms of men. And no, there’s not much research into improving things like smears because the funding isn’t there for it. I can guarantee if the issue affected men it would have changed years ago. It’s got zero to do with female scientists.

I actually wanted to just say something about the way that HPV extra smears can work (that I discovered today; and thanks to this thread for reminding me!!):

last year after my scan as I said previously I received a letter saying I was HPV positive and would need a repeat smear June 2022 to check if it had gone/if I need a further test for abnormal cells. I had assumed I would receive a letter but called GP to chase. Apparently they had no record of this and the people who do the smear tests/send the letters are unrelated. Therefore had I not called nothing would have been done! In fact the GP wanted to see evidence of the letter before even booking me in (which they still haven’t done as I don’t have a hard copy of a letter from 1 year ago, only a photo of it - and thank god I’ve got that).

my point is it’s actually not a great system and this thread has made me determined to chase it his next week until I get an appt and if anyone is sitting waiting for a letter for a follow up 1 year later - don’t wait! Chase!

Well I think you need to have a word with your nurse if having them done is making you scream? I find that very odd. Uncomfortable, possibly but scream inducing? And it isnt utter bollocks to say they don't hurt as they don't hurt me any many other women so therefore it is not utter bollocks! 🙄

And what will you do should it emerge you have cervical cancer? Because there will be a hell of a lot more invasive treatment then.

Not to mention the fact, you can die from cancer. If not for you, do it for the sake of your 3 year old wanting their mum around.

I would never miss a smear test or any other routine testing. I had pre cancerous cells found and dealt with over 20 years ago and since menopause I have had post menopausal bleeding that needed investigation. Lucky it was not cancer but I would rather have a couple of minutes discomfort with a smear than a lot more invasive, longer lasting treatment later or find out too late for treatment to be an option.

Apologies for being so blunt but surely even the pure thought of developing cervical cancer and letting it spread unnoticed is FAR, FAR more terrifying than going for a smear test.

YABU. If not for yourself, do it for your son.

I haven’t RTFT but have read enough to say: Just because it was mildly uncomfortable and no big deal for one woman doesn’t mean that will be true for another.

I have vomited with anxiety in my doctor’s office, been prescribed tranquillisers, squeezed a chaperone’s hand to death and had very patient staff give me lots of time and reassurance and still had a horrific and painful experience.

So please don’t diminish other women’s experiences and feelings just because ‘it wasn’t that bad’ for you!

It absolutely CAN be traumatic and painful.

You just have to weigh up for YOURSELF whether it’s worth putting yourself through that to screen for cancer. In my case I felt it was - but your body, your choice. Always.

And you think having terminal cancer is pain free?

I know some women find smears more painful but there is options available to help. There is very little to help when cancer has spread to your bones and you are terminal.

How is cervical cancer diagnosed, if not through a smear?

Colposcopy, following a smear that is positive for HPV and then shows cell changes under microscopy, or following onset of symptoms.

@Doggyfish the nurse or doctor performing the smear won't be able to see anything. To see changes you need to be referred for a colposcopy and they will be able to see after painting a solution of the cervix to make the abnormal cells appear white. If the nurse or doctor performing the smear can already see problems without painting that solution on I would hazard a guess you would already be experiencing plenty of symptoms anyway like abnormal bleeding. I think for the OP the first step is an at-home HPV test. If that's negative she can forgot it because all the GP would do at the smear is test for HPV anyway. The smears aren't checked for abnormal cells anymore unless the HPV test is positive.

I'm another one who gets really sick at the thought of them and I hate how people say "it's nothing" - but I do force myself to go. You've had lots of reassuring replies but just wanted to add my voice to the chorus saying don't be afraid to tell the nurse you are nervous. You don't need to put on a front. I've had 3 in my life and all 3 times the nurse has been so reassuring/understanding and has been happy to take it as slow as I need to. They are so practiced at it.

Failing that you could ask your GP for a one off dose of diazepam to take the edge off the nerves for the procedure. They are extremely reticent to give it out but if you explain the reason, they might consider it.

Well it's a good job 5 years ago it must have been different as I was symptom free, no HPV and my cervical cancer was picked up on a routine smear.

Do non HPV cervical cancers (which make up 10% of cases according to google) just not get picked up now until you have enough symptoms to warrant a colposcopy or scan?