Smear Test

[ItllBeLonelymumThisChristmas]

I have got a smear test today. I am not keen on having it done (who is?) and am feeling really nervous about it. Just remind me why I should go.

its the 2nd most common cancer in women under 35 (cervical cancer that is)

3000 new cases a year, 1% diagnosed

has that helped or put you off?

IT ONLY TAKES A SECOND

wish i could come and hold your hand (ill do it virtually)

cancer website if you are inclined

NP, I am over 35, does that get me off the hook?

because it only takes a few minutes, doesn't hurt and may save your life !

Honestly - I got myself in a real state for my last one (after putting it off for 6 months) - and it was a real anti-climax - I felt very stupid for getting so stressed about it

A very good friend of mine has just found out she has cervical cancer through a routine smear test (she is 38). Despite being stage 2, the cancer was well enough contained that they have been able to perform fertility-saving surgery, albeit removing the entire cervix.

She got married three months ago. Was literally just starting to try for a baby and then this happened. Although she still has the chance to conceive, it's clearly going to be that much harder - and there's still a risk that she might have to have chemo, which puts everything up in the air again.

Smear tests aren't fun, but the alternative is a million times worse. Let's put it this way, you'll never regret having a smear done, but you might regret not having one.

I'm sure it'll all be fine, but it's well worth a moment's discomfort.

It's horrible and uncomfortable and I really don't envy you - but you owe it to your children to look after yourself. Too many women are being diagnosed with cancer in the later stages because they don't take the time to have the smears, check their breasts.

Go for your smear and then treat yourself to something nice after to make up for it.

a friend of mine has a rare cevical cancer and is now unable to have any more children, and is still facing two lots of more surgery. they gave her a 15% chance of survival. go and have it done - even if there is something weird going on, the earlier they find out about it, the better the outcome

dublindee, as someone with breast cancer which is locally advanced, i feel it important to say that some of us are just unlucky. i did look after myself, checked my breasts every month. because my lump originated very deep in my breast, close to the chest wall, the lump was only findable at a stage when it ended up being over 3 cm in diameter with lymph node spread. i feel a bit peeved that you think that someone with breast cancer isn't thinking of her children because they haven't taken the time to check themselves. just not true and actually not very helpful when it's important that cancer sufferers remain positive. and i'm having my 2nd chemo today - i need to be positive!

sorry for highjacking but had to say that.

Thanks, it helps to read these stories, even though I am sorry that people you know are going through this.

Dublindee, your argument about owing it to your children is what prompted me to have my first smear test ever. Before I had children, I ignored all the calls for smear tests, but when you have children, it does make you think that if you got cancer and died, you would be ruining their lives.

The breast cancer issue owrried me far more funnily. I really don't know how to check my breasts, but I had a pain in one breast a few months ago and went to the GP and a lovely female doctor gave me a good check up and found nothing wrong so I feel I am reasonably safe in that department at the moment.

Thank god that is over.

A colleauge daughter had never had a smear test in her life, she had 2 children, now about 6 & 4yrs. She died 2 years ago from cervical cancer, she was only 21 years old

well done for going. the first one is the worst. after my first one, i got called back every 6 months for two years so am now completely blase about the whole thing!