to not bother with a smear test

[setpieces]

I'm supposed to have them every 12 months due to abnormal cells.

I cannot get an appointment at my GP practice. They have offered me 3 dates I simply cannot do (I'm supporting a parent having an op the week before Xmas, Xmas eve (still with parent) and 2 Jan (away with kids). It took an hour of following hopeless website and booking referrals plus a phone call (engaged) and callback to get this far.

By the time I get the test (assuming calling back at the end of next week as requested is successful) it will be 2 months after I got the letter then another 6-8 weeks for the results.

I might as well wait for the condition to worsen and refer for treatment in 4 months time.

Ask if you can attend elsewhere - eg sexual health clinic or similar - there are other services that can take the sample I would imagine

Please go!

I was diagnosed with breast cancer in July. No history in my family. I’m healthy and fit. I’m currently going through chemo and it’s a horrible brutal frightening life affirming experience, I wouldn’t wish it on anyone.

Find the time GO! You MUST look after yourself too!

You clearly can get a GP appointment, as you have said yourself they have offered you 3. Stop whining, take some responsibility for yourself and speak with the GP surgery about booking an alternative appointment. Simples.

This is more important than helping your elderly parent. I'm sure they would say the same. This is your life. If cancerous cells are detected at this smear you can have treatment straight away and you should be fine. Leave it more months and that might not be the case. Head on over to the cancer thread for those with stage 4 if you need further convincing. Nothing is more important than this.

Exactly this.

Ignore all the people on here saying YABU. I don't get the MN attitude to smear tests. Why on earth do you care what other people do? Get your own done regularly and don't worry about other people. And not having it done doesn't mean you will get cancer, it "just" means you won't find the precursors to it as quickly. MNers seem to think that not having smears = you will get cancer.

I am a little overdue with mine as I was having another health issue looked at but now that's resolved I will get mine (might try the home test first though). But I am lucky with my practice and I can make an appointment pretty easily with a nurse.

They don't grow THAT quickly. If the OP has it in January or February rather than next month she won't die!

I had one a whole year late because I had been pregnant and had my son and I did not want any more messing in that area for a while.

I would physically pop to the surgery, explain I was finding it difficult to book online / getting through on the phone and would they mind having a look in the calendar and book it face to face.

You already have abnormal cells, don't risk it.

Cervical Cancer is horrific. Get your test when you can. Inconvenience getting a test or dying of Cervical Cancer. No one would choose the latter. You are being silly.

I think this is a really ignorant attitude to have. Have a word with yourself.

Sexual health clinics can often do smear tests. Ask there. Don't mess about. Cancer is really shit.

My sister died at 32 this year from cervical cancer. She didn't go for smears. Please have the smear op.

She already has abnormal cells. This isn't the time to faffing about with home tests

You are actually ridiculous. No one here said you will get cancer by not having a smear but it is a fact that early detection with Cervical Cancer is vital. Talk about down playing such a serious condition.

If you've already had abnormal cells, then regular monitoring is important. You do not want it to develop into cervical cancer, as others have said. Please don't skip it. Not a good idea. Try and get an appointment. Better to be safe than sorry.

She's already got abnormal cells. She needs to make time for a smear, not delay it.

YABVVU

This is what I was thinking.

Your parent will want you to prioritise this OP

Genuine question. If the OP already has abnormal cells - isn't it a question of monitoring incase of development through the stages? ( ie mild, moderate or severe? CIN 1,2,3 ?) . I had CIN3 and had them zapped pretty quickly after my abnormal smear by laser - but that was many years ago. Had my smears religiously after that.

I'd only ever skip a test if I'd never had any symptoms or cell changes or anything before. And I could feel it was normal.
If you are having symptoms then leaving it for even a few months could end up being a life or death scenario. Is there not a GUM clinic or family planning clinic near you that will do one as priority of you've got symptoms? Please don't delay.

OP, you can do whatever you like. It is your choice. But people on this site love to catastrophise, so asking this question here was probably not a good idea!

Go for your test .

Agreed. OP is being dramatic saying she may as well wait 4 months until it worsens. Realistically waiting till after Christmas is unlikely to cause any damage. I'm in similar position, due a repeat smear but have been unable to attend the appointments offered. I'm on holiday for a few weeks, then it's Christmas. I'm going to book in after new year. As long as I go soon(ish), it's fine. But absolutely don't skip it OP.

Yes

How?

No appointments, no guarantee of appointments. At the earliest with an assumed appointment time t mid Jan I won't get results until March.