Smear - How long for results?

[Lily2007]

Had a smear test of 24/10 and results are still not back. Was told 3 weeks for results, phoned GPs today and was told to wait another 2 weeks. It seems very long.

I've got irregular bleeding so really want to know it's clear. Last one was nearly 4 years ago and clear. Is it normal to wait that long? Do they get in touch with bad results or do they just come through post? Thanks.

Hi Lily,
I had mine done this morning and the nurse said it's an eight week wait for results. Could you ring your surgery if you're concerned? Hope you're ok

Thanks very much. 8 weeks. Last time I had it done I'm thought it was 2 weeks. The nurse definitely said 3 weeks originally but when I phoned today they lady was acting as if I was crazy to be phoning now and said try in another two weeks. When pushed she said try in another week. That was the surgery. I did get the bleeding checked out a few years back but they just assumed it was from the fibroid they found and refused to run another smear test.

I do have a kidney and bladder ultrasound on 21st, I'm hoping they will be able to see something on that though its not the same area. Thanks again.

Chances are it’s clear. My normal results took ages, my abnormal was back within a week.

I had mine just before Christmas last year and got the results the first week of Jan so 2-3 weeks overall. 8 weeks sounds crazy!!

Thanks very much. That's what I'm hoping Steeley. Sorry to hear you got an abnormal one, hope you are OK. My last one 4 years ago was clear but just got irregular bleeding and large clots about 3 years ago which I still have. Doctor asked me if I had been sleeping with anyone other than DH (said no) and they therefore seemed to decide I didn't need another smear. .

9 weeks . Don't think the NHS is in a great place at present.

I had one in mid October and the results came back within 10 days stating abnormal changes. However the letter says that as it's not HPV, I don't need another one for 3 years

Thanks. Sorry to hear you got abnormal changes but good its negative on HPV. Hope it's nothing serious and you are getting proper follow up. I've got every symptom there is on the cervical cancer symptom list and have done for 3 years but I have still got you don't need another test and I'm also . They did find a fibroid which could well be the cause of these symptoms but I don't understand how having a fibroid means you can't have cervical cancer. I think their logic went something like I had a clear test and had just been married so next one must be clear too but it's a big assumption.

If your work do annual health checks they normally include a smear. I've never been to one but have just taken out work's private health insurance and think I may get one through that. Thanks.

Depending on where you are, the result yomrs vary I think. I've just had results after 5 weeks but the one I had before that (2014 in a different area) the wait was, believe it or not 6 MONTHS!!! apparently this was a one off in that health authority at the time but I was absolutely horrified when the nurse told me....

That's the result TIMES!

had a smear in mid October. results took 10 days to come back. It's the new test (hvp testing, not cytology), I am in the Manchester area.

Thanks very much. Mine was same test as I've always had. I'm close to London so if it goes to a hospital will be a London one though not sure where it goes.

I had one on 6/10, results still not back. In fact this week I had a reminder letter asking me to make an appointment, so I assumed my test sample had been lost.

When I phoned the surgery to check, they said there is a big backlog and results are taking much longer and to check again in a week.

My normal result was with me within a week. I think if you live in an overcrowded area then waiting times will be longer sadly. I love the NHS but its not built for so many of us....

Thanks. I used to totally trust the NHS but I think it's struggling atm. I just hope they are fasttracking the abnormal results for the sake of the people who may have something serious. The lady I spoke to said they only send them in big batches.

Mine came back within two weeks saying that they had insufficient cells. I now have to wait 3 months for the cells to regenerate. I really suffer from health anxiety and I'm a wreck waiting. Hate it.

Sorry to hear that fluffy penguin. I'm a terrible worrier too. I have to just not think about it. I've never heard about that. Last time mine said it was clear but a handwritten note saying they couldn't be certain it was right. I did ask for it to be repeated but they said no.

My normal result was back within a week and has been the last 3 times, but as pp have said unfortunately it depends on the area you’re in as to the speed that samples are processed.
Also I don’t think how quickly your letter comes through determines whether a result is abnormal or not because they have no idea until the samples are actually tested if it is normal or abnormal.

Thanks. Yes they must all be tested together though whether they prioritise telling the abnormal results who knows. Looked at Jo's Trust and says 2 to 6 weeks is NHS guidelines so probably means nothing either way at the moment. I've a feeling last time I phoned for results the lady say they would have phoned me if they had been abnormal but don't know if they still do that or I am remembering incorrectly.

I know in Ireland the sample goes to the USA to be tested so that's why it's so long. Can't remember the number of weeks though

A couple of weeks wait is normal in my area, whatever the results. My letter says that they will test me again in 3 years because the abnormal cells may have gone away by themselves! Still confused . I’m not a worrier but I think I’ll call the surgery for advice.

Is a smear diagnostic for cervical cancer? I always thought it was simply a screening tool to identify those potentially at risk. If you are specifically worried about cervical cancer it may be better to ask your GP to refer you for colposcopy/biopsy directly if they agree your symptoms are suggestive.

Thanks very much for the replies. Not an expert on cervical screening at all but was under the impression that almost all cervical cancers you test positive for HPV and my screening will give the result for that.

I did go to the doctors 3 years ago and they were concerned about cancer though said its unlikely and got referred to gynaecology. Gyna just took the smear test from a year earlier and didn't investigate further but did find a large fibroid which they did a biopsy on which was negative for cancer. They then signed me off. I've queried this and a couple of doctors have said it's probably nothing but they shouldn't really have signed off at that point. I am having hospital tests through urology at the moment and have a scan on 21st of kidneys / bladder etc. I'll see what that shows and what the smear comes back as and then check with a doctor. Thanks and please correct me if I'm wrong on this.

Just got results back today, clear, phew. Though it does say with bleeding to get further checks but had further checks done few years ago and once they found the fibroid signed off. Also having a kidney scan on Tuesday.