please don't yell at me

[warthog]

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.

Hmm - I had an abnormal smear test at a time when I only had one partner.

I noticed a sign up at GPs last month and it shows that the ages for smear tests have changed. The first one is now not done until much later.

The new intervals are:

Age group (years) Frequency of screening
25 = First invitation
25-49 = 3 yearly
50-64 = 5 yearly
65+ = Only screen those who have not been screened since age 50 or have had recent abnormal tests

Lots of info here /

I has some abnormal cells and for ages afterwards had to have a smear test every 6 months - one thing I did work out was that the uncomfortableness factor depends on the nurse who carries it out - some were much better at it than others. It really is important that you go - they don't set up screening programmes with reminders etc just for a laugh. Apart from the cervical cancer screening there are other reasons why people may need to have a look and a poke up there (I've been spotting between periods and had to have the "full pelvic" this week), and at this stage I'm immune to any embarrassment. To the OP - they're very rarely "insensitive" people. It's just their job.

I didn't say you weren't allowed to talk about it and I'm quite stunned you'd bother to check out where else I've posted in the last day .. weird, but oh well

I got annoyed because of your OP talking about pushy post from the govt and hating the system .. sounded infantile to me (big bad govt picking on little ol' me)

I got annoyed because 18 months ago when I had a smear that I had delayed for a couple of years I got a bad result which meant I needed surgical treatment under GA and 6 monthly smears

and yet there are still women, and mothers, out there who are willing to risk their lives to avoid a few minutes discomfort and embarrassment, who have gone through childbirth and yet profess fear of a simple procedure that is over in 5 minutes

but good for you for making the decision to go

tbh i thought your posts were quite rude and aggressive. unnecessarily so. but apparently i'm wierd now, on top of being infantile.

my Post (singular) was direct and to the point

and yes it is weird to check what mumsnetters are posting about so that you comment negatively about them on another thread .. of course it is

and actually I've put in quite a lot of time on this site chasing people about smears

here

here

here

twig, i have never chatted to you before yet every one of your posts has been overly aggressive and attacking. i think it's quite reasonable in this situation to do a search and see what your normal posting style is like. does nobody really ever search to see what someone has posted? if that's not de rigeur, then i apologise and forthwith shall restrain myself.

i'm glad you chase people about smears. i've not seen any of those threads.

the title of my thread did ask people not to post the way you did. being scared of smears may be childish and irresponsible, but it's something i'm overcoming. that has to be positive. i'm not the only one that has a problem with smears. i'm sorry you've had such a rough time of it. isn't mumsnet there so we can support each other?

it's a pity to be at each other's throats when we're actually on the same side.

Hi ladies,
Was in a rush when I posted the last time and then was wracked with guilt that my post was mis-leading.
What I meant is that if you and your partner have never slept with anyone else, or if you're a virgin, you don't need a smear.
Probably rules out most of us though !
Rx

In a few years time once every woman has been vaccinated against the cervical cancer virus there will be no need for smears, until then its one of those necessary side effects of sex!

Are you surprised they do them every year in US it is a great source of income, I am sure if you went to a private doctor in this country they would only be too willing to do it frequently