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General health

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Original poster

Cervical smear Do I have a cervix?

19 replies

bluebrushes · 05/03/2016 21:44

I had a total hysterectomy 4 yrs ago due to a cancerous cyst .So surely I don't have a cervix to "smear". Got an invitation from health clinic to attend to have smear done.
Feel like it's a stupid question to make a Dr's app about.
Do I have a cervix?
Feel v. stupid right now.

OP posts:

Micah · 05/03/2016 21:48

You might. Where was the cyst?

If possible i believe they di try to leave the cervix intact after a hysterectomy.

Did they not go through whet they would remove? Ovaries etc?

Might be worth seeing your gp for a review of your surgery.

slebmum1 · 05/03/2016 21:48

I don't know but I was wondering this the other day - if you have a complete te hysterectomy what happen as to the cervix or do the have to kind of close the top of the vagina?

ByThePrickingOfMyThumbs · 05/03/2016 21:53

If you had a total (radical) hysterectomy then cervix would have been removed. A quick phone call to your GP should clear up the confusion though.

Costacoffeeplease · 05/03/2016 21:54

My cervix was removed during my hysterectomy AFAIK they stitch up the top of the vagina, but you may still have yours, maybe you need to ask for your notes to check?

Sidge · 05/03/2016 21:55

They rarely leave the cervix after a total hysterectomy, especially if there was any cancer. However it does depend on the surgeon and the type of cancer so it could be worth asking the GP to clarify from your gynae summary what was done.

Occasionally women do get called for screening after they've had surgery and their cervix removed, so if you have had your cervix removed then your surgery should update their records so you are removed from the cervical screening programme.

MsWazowski · 05/03/2016 21:56

If you've had a total hysterectomy, which would include the cervix, they would do a vaginal vault smear. This would only be to look for any abnormal cells in the vagina and is usually only done if you have had previous abnormal smears. If all of your other smears were normal, check with your surgery if you really need to do this.

NashvilleQueen · 05/03/2016 21:58

Mine went in TAH. Told only needed smear if ever had abnormal cells in previous smear. One call and I'm removed from database.

George2014 · 05/03/2016 22:06

I've had cervical cancer. I met someone in the next bed, in for the same treatment who had had a total hysterectomy (for recurrent bad cells) and was on yearly check ups. She then developed cervical cancer where her cervix should of been and it was treated exactly the same as mine.

I would 100% want gynae screening as yes you can still get cancer on that area even if your anatomy is different. Would not want a GP / nurse doing it though as they won't know what they are looking for! Ask for a ref back to gynae.

Doyouthinktheysaurus · 05/03/2016 22:10

I have had cervical cancer and had my cervix and top of my vagina removed along with ghe usual hysterectomy bits.

I still had a few years of 'vault' smears before they set me free. Every six months I had to go, and more often than not I'd be recalled as they forgot to put vault smear on the form!

I'm 10 years cancer free now and haven't had smears for a few years. They have stopped inviting me.

tribpot · 05/03/2016 22:13

It's fairly difficult to get removed from the list of those called for smears. I know people who have definitely had their cervix removed who had to ask their GP several times to mark their records as screening not applicable, so it's possible the invitation has been sent to you in error. Only way to know for sure is to make an appointment - with the nurse perhaps?

FaithlessOne · 05/03/2016 22:15

I had to ask after my hysterectomy 11 years ago (emergency after c section). I was told it varies. Some women are left with a cervix, some not. I didn't have one anymore and was taken off the smear reminder list.

winnybella · 05/03/2016 22:20

Ha. I'm in France and they don't do the vault smears here after hysterectomy for cervical cancer. Interesting.
OP, depends what kind of cyst but if you can have the smear then why not.

MNHQ

DawnMumsnet · 05/03/2016 22:22

Hi, many thanks for all the replies so far. We're moving this thread over to our General Health topic now.

mineofuselessinformation · 05/03/2016 22:26

Can you have a feel and see if it's there? It probably isn't.
Anyway, a funny story to amuse you in the meantime (and vaguely related to your thread):
I had a hysterectomy three years ago (no cervix here!) so I was rather bemused to get a call from my GP surgery a couple of weeks ago to see if I still had a coil fitted....
More seriously, if you haven't been recalled when you should for a smear, you probably had your cervix removed too - but you could always give your surgeon's secretary a ring and they will find out for you.

mineofuselessinformation · 05/03/2016 22:26

Oops, didn't read your OP properly - sorry. The advice of ringing the secretary still stands.

Original poster

bluebrushes · 05/03/2016 22:53

Thanks for all the advice. Will make app to see nurse/gp .I'll report back if I learn anything relevant. Everyone s experiences seem so varying.

OP posts:

PacificDogwod · 05/03/2016 22:56

By definition a 'total hysterectomy' includes your cervix having been removed.

Sometimes vaginal vault smears are indicated, could that be it?
Does not do any harm to ask

slebmum1 · 05/03/2016 23:23

So what happens to the top of the vagina - does it get stitched up or is my anatomy totally failing me?

Costacoffeeplease · 06/03/2016 06:42

Yes, it gets stitched up

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