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Original poster

The new smear tests

98 replies

NicoleWatterson · 25/09/2015 10:50

So I duly went for my smear this morning. I do firmly believe in their importance, so despite them being unpleasant I've always gone.

I was encouraged by seeing the new implement on this morning, a little soft brush that takes the cells. Is that what they used on me, is it fuck it's a point jabby thing with a cutting device that cuts a circle out your cervix.
It was bloody awful! What happened to the soft tickly brush?!?

There's a high chance I'm going to get a recall as I had to ask her to stop. Is there a way I can ask for the old one? Or even that lovely brush I saw on this morning.

OP posts:
Kittymum03 · 25/09/2015 12:20

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ophiotaurus · 25/09/2015 12:30

I thought they only did the cutting if it was for a biopsy? Colposcopy (sp?) is the procedure I think.
Are you sure it was a smear and not a different procedure?

YoungGirlGrowingOld · 25/09/2015 12:39

Are you sure it was a smear and not a colposcopy or hysteroscopy?

Former - almost painless IME. Latter - fuck me I screamed the place down. It's absolutely searing unrelenting agony.

babyiwantabump · 25/09/2015 13:12

If they actually removed apart of your cervix you had a colposcopy - Loop diathermy ? Lletz procedure? A smear does not cut anything from your cervix!

Whatevva · 25/09/2015 13:31

The cervical screening programme has now moved to Public Health England who do not give any where near as much information on trials and news as the the old site did.

If they have changed their procedures, there should be some information somewhere Hmm but it wouldn't surprise me if they have given up telling people what they should know and just expect them to take whatever change someone somewhere has dictated. Perhaps they think it might put people off - wonder why Hmm but confronting them with it unexpectedly will not make things better.

I was quite happy with the wooden spatula. The bottle brush makes me bleed. I am on 5 year recall now and will not bother if they have done something else again. It does not sound good for people with 'vag att'.

BBQsAreSooooOverrated · 25/09/2015 13:40

Doesn't sound nice

Sidge · 25/09/2015 13:41

What are you talking about?

Colposcopy can involve a biopsy - cutting - but a routine smear is taken with a cervical brush. The actual brush used depends on your area and which provider they use but the brushes are fairly soft. They can feel a bit scratchy (and obviously the nurse's technique can vary) but there is never any cutting. You have to rotate the brush in the 'hole' in the cervix about 5 times (depending on which brush you use) to ensure a good sweep which is a circular motion, maybe this is what she meant.

I'm sorry you had a bad experience. Maybe go back and talk to her or another nurse to clarify what happened and how you can avoid a painful smear next time.

godsavethequeeeen · 25/09/2015 13:47

Are you sure it wasn't a biopsy? My biopsy hurt even though I was off my head on diazepam.

my smears were always uncomfortable, hated them but they stopped me getting cancer.

Whatevva · 25/09/2015 14:05

The only things I can find out about changes to cervical screening methods is whether they do primary HPV screening first or use it after they have found a low grade abnormality. The liquid based cytology with the bottle brush were a new change and it would appear there is nothing better at the moment.

The only things that I can find that cut a circle out are punch biopsies. Have a look at the pictures above.

I would go back to your surgery and ask them to clarify what they have used and what it is for. It sounds very odd.

Sockattack · 25/09/2015 14:05

I had a womb biopsy the other month without any pain killers it killed. If the smears like that I'm dreading it!

Kittymum03 · 25/09/2015 14:05

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Whatevva · 25/09/2015 14:06

And some Flowers and Brew. That did not sound much fun by any one's standards.

giraffesCantDoThat · 25/09/2015 14:18
Cake
ToadsforJustice · 25/09/2015 18:40

IME, the brushes do make a lot of ladies bleed. It's a myth that it's quick and painless for everyone.

We had a team meeting last week (HCP). Apparently, at some point, smear testing is going to move away from the actual test. Women will be offered a HPV test - that they can do themselves - the test was described as a type of tampon. If the results come back as HPV+, a colposcopy will be offered. If the test comes back as HPV-, no further action.

Whatevva · 25/09/2015 20:01

The brushes made me bleed. I think they are a bit intrusive. I was quite happy with the spatula.

A friend of mine had her ovarian cancer picked up by her cervical smear. HPV testing won't help much there.

goodasitgets · 25/09/2015 20:05

Had mine last week, bled a bit after. Didn't hurt but felt a bit scratchy. No cutting involved

ShelaghTurner · 25/09/2015 20:14

I'm about to book mine. This sounds horrible but it won't put me off going. I'd rather know in advance if it's likely to be painful too.

Whatevva · 25/09/2015 20:22

No - don't let it put you off. There was something odd about OP's. Hopefully she will get to the bottom of it and let us know.

Tiptops · 25/09/2015 20:23

Gah, sounds horrible for you OP Flowers

I don't think the thread should be deleted just because the OP had a negative experience.

I've been called for my first smear and am too scared to go at the moment. I'm glad I've read different tools are used on this thread, as if I ever build up the courage to go I'll make sure to ask what they use first! Much rather be forewarned than have a nasty, painful shock.

Kittymum03 · 25/09/2015 20:50

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Sidge · 25/09/2015 20:52

Some women do bleed when having a smear, whether brush or spatula. The cervix is really quite fragile and the cells can be easily damaged.

The brush is far better at obtaining cells, and leads to far fewer inadequate samples than the spatula. The spatula was trickier to use and being wooden could be quite brutal!

I've taken thousands of smears and women's experiences vary hugely. Some women don't know I've done it, some find it incredibly tense and uncomfortable. Very few find it truly painful but I try and always be mindful of their discomfort. I always encourage women to speak to their nurse, find someone who they trust and feel comfortable with. It's a very intimate procedure and your nurse should respect that.

Kittymum03 · 25/09/2015 21:06

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MegBusset · 25/09/2015 22:47

In my area it's changed to the HPV test and if that comes back negative they don't do a full smear. The procedure was very similar though, in my case as my cervix tilts upwards the nurse practically had both hands up there trying to get to it.
Don't know what instrument was used (I stare at the ceiling and try not to think about it), it was not exactly fun but not awful either, a lot better than childbirth and I'm sure a fuck of a lot better than cancer.

nephrofox · 25/09/2015 22:53

At the end of the day these things are meant to prevent / detect early stages of cancer. That's a hell of a lot more serious than what kind of instrument is used and a bit of bleeding.

I've had the cervix biopsy (heated loop thingy) to remove dodgy cells and it was fine. Not exactly a afternoon out I'd choose, but totally fine and totally worth it.