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.

I'd never had any symptoms or cell changes before, and felt absolutely fine. Big shock when my smear was abnormal and had developed to CIN3. Was very relieved I hadn't skipped the test. Had the laser zapping and had clear tests ever since.

This is bad advice.

if she’s had abnormal cells I’m sure they will be doing more than just testing for HPV. That’s only really for those who have normal smears

YABU

You won't be any use to your parents or your children if you die

I will never forget a poster I saw in my GPs waiting room..

"My mum missed her smear test, now I miss my mum".

With a picture of a small boy crying 😢

Well unfortunately I live 300 miles from my parents. I don't think a health authority other than my own will do it.

I have just started a new job and every minute I spend wasting my time on hold/being told no is another minute to make up. Which is less sleep or less time with the kids.

Something has to give and at the moment it's my check ups.

You need to get a grip and just book the appointment, if you'd rather risk death and ignore all advice then it's pointless posting here to brag about it. If you can't afford to make time for the appointment now then you can't afford to die either because people need you.

Can you get someone to sit with your parent while you go for your smear?
Or phone the practice nurse direct and see if they can fit you in, given the circs?
Too important to miss IMO

I've already had previous treatment for CINII. I want an appointment and a test but have t got spare time to play the stupid NHS 'call just at the right time or you miss out' game.

*haven't

Then why post here? It's AIBU and not your personal social media page where we need to read your every thought. You decided you do t want to do it so don't do it. Why post?

Tax payers fund the NHS. So if you don't go for your smear and end up with serious medical issues, people like me will be paying for your stupidity. And every penny that is spent on your stupidity is a penny not spent on people who actually deserve to be treated. Find a way to get it done.

I'd walk into the surgery and speak to somebody. My SIL died at 33 because she missed a test. Her son lost his mum at 10 years old. Don't risk it.

6 weeks of chemotherapy and daily radiotherapy for cervical cancer is a bigger time commitment. You need to prioritise your health now.

Walk into the surgery and speak to them.

You would be very, very stupid not to go.

Something has to give and at the moment it's my check ups.

Give your head a wobble. This isn’t like missing a dental app where if left you might need a filling. Sounds like a bunch of excuses to me as to why you can’t go. A smear takes minutes

If she needs to have yearly smear tests, it would be for a reason and she says 'return for treatment'.

You need to go for the test and you know so too. It's your health and your life. Yes, getting an appointment is hard. So is cancer treatment.

Booking a smear appointment is a pain as trying to fit it round periods etc especially as have to book weeks ahead, and then I sometimes I get thrush so have to cancel. But you know yabu, especially as you've had abnormal cells.

My mil had a terrifying death from cancer. It was like our household fell into actual Hell for a week. I wouldn’t wish it on my very worst enemy.

Can you try at a sexual health clinic instead, like Brook?

I will go for the test at some point. But it will be when I get an appointment - no idea when that will be though.

I hadn't thought about factoring in periods too - random perimenopausal bleeding so not very predictable.

Nope, not necessarily. Smears just test for HPV unless they tell you otherwise. I've had previous colposcopy for abnormal cells and at my last smear I had to ask for them to look at the cells. The plan was HPV test only. I think the only reason I got what I wanted was because I was so distressed about the whole thing and cried on the nurse.

So how do I get the test?

I get that but she’s already HPV positive and getting tested yearly. That suggests they’re not just testing her for HPV in this circumstance

If the nhs offered appointments are not convenient for you, could you go private?

Have you a local sexual health clinic they may have more options, op
www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/sexual-health-services/find-a-sexual-health-clinic/