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Original poster

To cancel cervical screening next week?

70 replies

Nicecupofcoco · 09/01/2021 14:58

I have a routine smear booked next week, I've always had them when I've been called, and up to now no issues. I'm booked in for next week, I was unsure when I booked, but the receptionist at gp reassured me still going on as normal!
I'm quite anxious about the virus, should I cancel and rebook for afew months down the line, or am I being over cautious?

OP posts:
Bumbl · 09/01/2021 15:50

No! Definitely go.

Telling people to postpone is dangerous.

Katie517 · 09/01/2021 15:58

@madroid please don’t tell people to postpone cancer screenings! Six months is more than enough time for it to turn from abnormal cells into a stage 3 cancer. Cancer screenings are of critical importance and people shouldn’t even think about cancelling them. We have been brainwashed into thinking avoidance of covid must take priority above everything else and this is not true. It’s dangerous and when we look back in hindsight at our reaction to the virus the impact on other health conditions is going to be one of many things they got wrong! OP please go.

Noidea2114 · 09/01/2021 16:00

I had my mammogram in November. Thank goodness I went I have been diagnosed with breast cancer. No lump or symptoms only a mammogram could pick it up.

Please OP go. All the staff will be making sure you they are safe.

MushMonster · 09/01/2021 16:03

OP this is for your health, so I think you need to go.
They do take all the possible precautions.
So sorry to hear about your family Flowers

lambo88 · 09/01/2021 16:03

Definitely still go...my gp is offering smear tests as normal and I went a couple of months ago...ur gp will have precautions in place for covid...I had to wait outside and be let in and have my temperature taken before I was taken into a room to have the smear xx

funtimefrank · 09/01/2021 16:05

I posted on here a couple of weeks ago about going to a hospital outpatient appoint and got a heap of encouragement. It genuinely felt safe - checks on entry, heaps of space, not busy and my nurse/technician was in ppe and I kept my mask on.

I had to go for another on Monday and it was the same. I now have to go for a third and I'm less worried.

Honestly do go. It's important.

UpToMyElbowsInDiapers · 09/01/2021 16:08

Rates of detection for some common types of cancer are 70% down on last year where I live. That’s not because 70% fewer people have cancer. Oncologists are really worried that in a few months they’ll be faced with a deluge of patients with late stage cancers that would have been easily treatable if seen now. Please go!

IceCreamAndCandyfloss · 09/01/2021 16:13

Your surgery will be very strict on safety so I would go. They take job st a few minutes to do.
I did read recently on here you can buy a diy test kit online as smears now only check initially for hpv.

ToastandJamandTea · 09/01/2021 16:13

Op I went for mine on Christmas Eve. I had my temperature scanned on the way in, we were all masks, I was the only person in the waiting room.
The nurse was lovely and once in the treatment room it was business as usual except for the masks.
Please go, it's so important Flowers

whojamaflip · 09/01/2021 16:32

I had mine earlier this week - first time I'd actually been near the doctors since March.

I was early and had to press the intercom to let them know I was there. I then stood outside until the nurse came to get me. Took temp at the door, she was in full PPE and made me sanitise hands. (Was asked by reception to keep mask on while I was waiting outside)

Taken in to the room, medical history checked, deed done, hands sanitised again and taken by the nurse out of the building via a different door. I wasn't allowed to touch anything - she opened the doors etc.

The whole thing took about 15mins and the nurse was honestly the only person I saw in the surgery.

Our surgery definitely seemed to have taken all necessary precautions and I can honestly say I felt safer there than at the supermarket.

ExpulsoCorona · 09/01/2021 16:34

Please don't cancel OP. Surgeries are being really careful to space patients out so that they can keep you safe. A smear is really important.

Toddlerteaplease · 09/01/2021 17:00

Got mine on Thursday. Rescheduled as the nurse is self isolating. Not worried in the slightest.

Toddlerteaplease · 09/01/2021 17:02

@Babyroobs you will be nowhere near Covid patients.

Toddlerteaplease · 09/01/2021 17:04

We have been brainwashed into thinking avoidance of covid must take priority above everything else and this is not true. It’s dangerous and when we look back in hindsight at our reaction to the virus the impact on other health conditions is going to be one of many things they got wrong

Couldn't agree more.

madroid · 09/01/2021 17:06

I have postponed mine because I think the risk of catching Covid is higher than the risk of developing cervical cancer currently, so on a purely logical basis I think postponing is the right decision.

I feel guilty for not going but it is the rational decision at the moment.

madroid · 09/01/2021 17:06

I'm not telling anyone else what to do. Just doing a strict comparison of risk.

covetingthepreciousthings · 09/01/2021 17:08

I went for mine late Dec, I'd put it off from spring due to anxiety (more from going into a doctors surgery than the actual smear). I'm so relieved I went and got it out of the way. I would go, it was quick and we both wore masks and the practice nurse was only close to me when doing the actual smear. I think the risk was very low when I look back now. There was also no patients in the waiting room at the surgery either.
Hope this reassures you a bit.

Sparklingbrook · 09/01/2021 17:09

I have postponed mine because I think the risk of catching Covid is higher than the risk of developing cervical cancer currently

Quite possibly but not catching it from the place you get the smear test. But if you have to get three buses to get there or something maybe that's wise.

Drawmelikeoneofyourfrenchgirls · 09/01/2021 17:09

Go, it’s important and you will be fine

MikeFromSpaced · 09/01/2021 17:10

Don’t cancel as it could be months before they see you again. I’ve had loads of gynae appointments in the past 6 months and all was good. Wear your mask, anti bac before and after. Wear a long skirt so no faffing getting changed. The nurse will be masked up too. Wash your hands when you get home.

Abkbjbjb · 09/01/2021 17:14

GO GO GO, I had mine during first lockdown. I also went to get a breast lump checked in October......boy I'm glad I did as I'm in active chemo for grade 3 breast cancer, if I had of left it even another few weeks I would be in a very different position right now x

raviolidreaming · 09/01/2021 17:15

Unless you are CEV then I would go

I would still go even if you are CEV, presuming you don't need public transport to get there. It is so, so important. I had mine the week before Christmas: the nurse and receptionist were the only people I saw.

tootyfruitypickle · 09/01/2021 17:16

Also worth pointing out someone with cancer has a far far higher chance of death than with covid. It’s much more serious illness.

tootyfruitypickle · 09/01/2021 17:19

@Abkbjbjb sorry about your diagnosis. I am now 12 years on from the same diagnosis , just as a little bit of positivity.

Backbee · 09/01/2021 17:22

I feel guilty for not going but it is the rational decision at the moment.

Each to their own, but GP surgeries are probably one of the safest places to go at the moment, they have very strict guidelines and procedures in place, I wouldn't say it was overly rational.