Anyone due (or overdue) a smear?

[Twiglett]

Line up here and I'll kick your ass till you make, and keep, the appointment

MeanOldMummy .. you're already on my fanny list

Nope, had mine this month and got the all clear already, but I don't mind bumping this for you Twiglett.

. Actually not overdue by NHS standards as last had one in Summer 2003 - but that was in Switzerland, where it is recommended annually, so no record of it in UK. Ought to get Mirena checked too. Keep meaning to make the appointment....

Aaaaagh - my letter came in on Friday

Message withdrawn

I had mine last year, literally the week before I conceived ds.

But happy to join the ass-kicking club as a good friend of mine has been diagnosed recently with pretty advanced cervical cancer, despite having regular smears. She's about to go through radiotherapy which effectively ends all hope of having her own child So I guess we won't see her on Mumsnet for quite some time

Ladies, it is ghastly having a smear, no doubt about it. But the alternatives are far, far worse. My friend went from an abnormal result to a visible tumour in an unusually short space of time (months) - imagine if she hadn't kept up-to-date with her smear tests.

DO IT. PLEASE.

Just had mine done - 1st since dd was born - got it done at FPC - was much better than I imagined - thought they'd done something wrong but they'd finished!

Got my letter a couple of weeks ago and have an appointment next week. Hate, hate, hate having a smear but wouldn't dream of not going.

I must be well overdue, although I haven't had a letter. I was due one when I was pregnant with dd and had it done when she was a few months old. I'm pretty sure I haven't had one since and she's coming up for 5 in May.

Must get my act together and check how long it's actually been - maybe my memory is failing me (it's this old age business; doesn't come by itself).

You are doing a deffo brill job posting this

I had mine 2 months ago thanks to your posts

Had the reply and all was well

What I don't understand was the spactula had pink/red on it when she put it on the slide

Was that blood or was it a chemical that shows up the cells????

Does anyone know ???

I've got to go for another.

I'm on the ARTISTIC study group and my GP sent my smear off to the local authority (cam back normal but the sample they sent on to the study wasn't big enough so I have to go again - heigh-ho!

WWB, when I last went they told me you only have to go every 5 years now (although policy may vary in different areas), unless you have had an abnormal result that is. Had my last one summer 2003.

It's still every three years here, gingernut - at least it is as far as I know! Surely it shouldn't be as long as five years between them?

Kanga, I'm pretty sure the slide has a chemical on it to show the cells up - someone else will know for sure though.

I have been meaning to make an appointment since the beginning of the month and we're the 30th and I haven't managed to get round to it....
some butt-kicking required here please

In my last home, I flet sure that I ws told I wouldn't need another for 5 years too, but we moved last year and my appt for my next smear came though a few months ago which was 3 years after my previous one. (Anyone still following me?!)

Can it be that different health authorities have different recall times?

I believe different authorities do have different policies, which in itself is a bit rubbish.

I know that we Mumsnet ladies feel no week is complete unless we are haranguing our MPs about something, but I wonder if this is another issue worth addressing?

Going on Wednesday and having it done as well as being assessed for a coil fitting.

A smear caught my CINII back in 2001 and loop treatment in early 2002 sorted the abnormal cells. I may have never had my daughters had I not kept up w/my smears!

I volunteered my colposcopy sample for use in HPV research.

Twiglett, I'll join you on the kickin' ass bit - I've posted on the other thread but I'll say it again - a friend of mine aged 29 died of cervical cancer and left 3 kids behind - it can happen to anyone with or without a family history - FGS go get tested - it's not pleasant but it's over in a few minutes

I'm very overdue a smear
I've moved house 3 times since I had a smear, and I've lived in each house at least 3 years
I'm normally a very logical person, but I'm totally illogical about this. So do your best/worst Twiglett!

i'm 21, pg with number 2 (also had a mc last year) and still haven't heard anything about needing a smear.

Roisin, call your GP tomorrow and make an appointment . I'll admit I too have put it off in the past, but please go and have one, you can't ignore it forever.

Some authorities now only send out reminders every 5 years but that does not stop you requesting an appt sooner does it?

Fab thread, please please do go, it is worth a few minutesdiscomfort. I made a friend of mine go and they found abnormal cells (which were easily treated) so glad I nagged her!

Yes, cervical cancer is generally slow growing, but not always, and I think five years is WAY too long to go between smears.

Personally, I think yearly is best, b/c smear tests are cheap and treatment for abnormal cells very cheap and effective if caught early.

B/c I KNOW I have two strains of HPV which are closely associated w/cervical cancer development thanks to volunteering to submit my colposcopy sample for research study, I'm going to insist on yearly ones for me, even if I have to pay for them.

I noticed last week at the family planning clinic they're asking if your smear sample can be used for research. I'll absolutely be volunteering mine!

i am also VERY overdue a smear. its nothing to do with being scared or worried about it, its just cant be bothered getting round to making the appointment.
terrible i know, i WILL make the appointment this week, promise!