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Original poster

please don't yell at me

85 replies

warthog · 22/03/2007 12:02

but i haven't been for a smear test for a looong time and i don't want to go. i want to know what the risks of not going are. i know about cervical cancer but i don't know how high the risks are. please don't jump on me, i just really hate getting pushy post from the government and hate having to spread my legs for insensitive people i don't know. i hate hate hate the whole system.

OP posts:
Original poster
warthog · 22/03/2007 12:21

ok melrose, that's good enough for me.

OP posts:
anorak · 22/03/2007 12:22

Well here you go then...do go. It takes about 20 seconds to do. Just close your eyes and promise yourself a reward afterwards, some choc or something.

You've probably built it up into something much worse in your mind than it actually is, you know.

Original poster
warthog · 22/03/2007 12:22

my gp told me that i couldn't have one while breastfeeding.

OP posts:
PinkTulips · 22/03/2007 12:22

that was in response to charlee btw!

DumbledoresGirl · 22/03/2007 12:23

Warthog, how old is dd? If it helps, I have always taken my children with me - not all of them every time, but always the youngest, whichever that was at the time. Last time I went was last year and my youngest was 3. He played with some toys on the floor but on previous occasions when the child with me has been a baby, I lay them down with me on the couch!

It helps me to have a child with me really. It reminds me of why it is so important to have smears done.

corblimeymadam · 22/03/2007 12:23

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PinkTulips · 22/03/2007 12:23

thats possibly true as my gp told me to get one done when i finished bf-ing as well.... hense not getting round to it beofre being knocked up again!

Tatties · 22/03/2007 12:23

It's not the most pleasant thing in the world, but it is over really quickly. I think it's so important because abnormalities can be detected before there are any symptoms and while they can still be treated. And once you've been that's it for a few years. Go!

PestoEasterMonster · 22/03/2007 12:24

Go for it girl! You know it makes sense. And, it will be all over in about 5 mins and you don't have to go for another 3 years I think.

Good luck!

anorak · 22/03/2007 12:24

I had abnormal cells treated when I was 33.

I was told by the doctor that I would have died without the smear test.

I have never had abnormal cells since. I am now 45 and would never have met my wonderful husband or given birth to my sweet 6 year old son. My teenage daughters would be motherless. They would have forgotten me by now.

All for the sake of a little smear test that takes 20 seconds.

raspberryberet · 22/03/2007 12:25

No, you don't get to keep your knickers on and your dignity intact with a c-section. At least I didn't!

Your GP is wrong that you can't have one while breastfeeding. Or at least, they were perfectly happy to do mine while I was breastfeeding. Check with the practice nurse, they generally know more about smears than GPs as they do more of them.

melrose · 22/03/2007 12:26

Some stats:

About 9 in every 1,000 women who have never taken the pill will get cervical cancer at some point in their lives. The recent research suggests that amongst women who have taken the pill for 5 years, about 10 in every 1,000 will get cervical cancer. About 14 in every 1,000 women who've been on the pill for between 5 and 9 years will get cervical cancer. 18 women in every 1,000 who've taken the pill for more than 10 years.

For women aged 25-49 84% of cervical cancers are prevented through screening

1 in 20 smears shoe mild abnormalities, 1 in 100 show moderate abnormalities, 1 in 200 show severe abnormalites

DumbledoresGirl · 22/03/2007 12:26

BB, I am OK for the moment but dh came back with the news that he will be more away than here for the next few months.

Tatties · 22/03/2007 12:27

I have had two smear tests since having ds and I am still breastfeeding - no-one's ever mentioned to me that I shouldn't

wannaBeWhateverIWannaBe · 22/03/2007 12:29

I haven't had one either, for years. And having to have internals while in labour has put me off having one.

LIZS · 22/03/2007 12:30

how old is your dd ? I think under 2's would be less aware but the prescence of a fidgetty toddler would just increase your stress levels further.

Could you make an appointment to see your practice nurse just to talk through the procedure and your worries, she may then suggest whether you should have it done by her or a doctor and if you need to book a double appointment to allow extra time to relax. I've had 4 internals in the last six months (smear, coil fitting and check )and all were handled with discretion and care, had a blanket or disposable sheet to "hide" under each time !.

You ask about the risks and although the younger you are the lower they are, I have a friend who had a hysterectomy in her 30's when her second child was under 2 for it , even though she had had the post natal smear and went back for a routine one a year on, as that was the system where she lived. Had she waited the 3 years of our NHS I 'm not sure she'd have made it .

DumbledoresGirl · 22/03/2007 12:32

Wannabe, I screamed the hospital down whenever anyone attempted an internal examination of me when I was in labour. They once even gave me gas and air in an attempt to calm me! But I find smears absolutely painless.

wannaBeWhateverIWannaBe · 22/03/2007 12:32

the breastfeeding thing must have some validity as apparently you're supposed to have a smeer at a certain point in your cycle - between cd9/16 I think it is...

corblimeymadam · 22/03/2007 12:32

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melrose · 22/03/2007 12:33

and you can have one if breastfeeding, my doc did mine when he gace mne my check post birth in a kind of, "while I'm down here" type way! Was quite good really as did not ahev time to get stressed

franca70 · 22/03/2007 12:39

I try to have a smear test every year. I usually have them done in Italy, where it's recommended to have one every year. Is it embarassing? Maybe, but it's usually done by a doctor who's seen worse things. (I hope )

Original poster
warthog · 22/03/2007 13:00

ok, i've found somewhere i can go next thursday evening providing dh can put dd to bed. am dreading it already. i find going to the dentist easier, and that's saying a lot!

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corblimeymadam · 22/03/2007 13:02

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Original poster
warthog · 22/03/2007 13:04

lulumama, thanks for your very kind offer. really nice of you! i will be ok. i stop talking when i'm nervous so i wouldn't be much fun

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Nip · 22/03/2007 13:07

warthog - let me know how you get on....