Do any of you really not go for smear tests?

[Joolyjoolyjoo]

I went along dutifully for my routine smear test today. I chatted to the nurse, had my blood pressure taken, assumed the position...less than a minute later, I was dressed and ready to go. The nurse remarked on how lots of women don't go for smear tests, which I found really sad. it was slightly embarrassing, very slightly uncomfortable, and over in a few seconds, but it could save your life. Does anyone really NOT go for a smear, just down to embarrassment?

I had abnormal cells picked up at one of my smear tests, I was then about 22. In the time it took to have the operation to remove the cells (always booked when i'd be due a period etc) some of my cells had gone from a CIN 1 to a CIN 3. I will always go for a smear test, I am luckily called for one every year now but I would never miss one after my experience.

Honestfriend - can I ask you about the private appts please?
Never had any private healthcare ever and rather lacking in knowledge. What you have posted though is interesting and I am considering it.
Can you just phone up a BUPA or equivalent healthcare place and just book in for it, pay up front and wait for a letter in the post with results?

Do you need to be involved in private healthcare already and have had a booking in body MOT type thingie first?

How does it work with NHS. If I have no private healthcare provision, if I went for a private screen and they found something, would I then be able to go to my GP and still be treated or would they automatically pass it on to my GP - wondering about the pass over of info and how the surgery would view me taking private screenings.

I am in a silly position. Have a lovely surgery with great team of GPs, very happy with them. DH is under regular treatment there and do not want to fall out/move. However, I have a real issue with the practise nurse. She is the wife of the main GP at the surgery and a friend of my mum. I cannot stand the woman and feel she is not particularly professional in manner and cannot get past the idea of allowing her to do my smear test. I know it is silly and I am sure she would be fine/all in my head BUT I have this huge problem with it. Giving birth and having dreadful tearing, infection etc has made me rather funny about letting anyone lose with any metal instrument down there. I have scar tissue and scar tissue is not stretchy!. Apart from moving house, I cannot see myself having a smear again. So, if I could have a smear and results not go to the GP is normal, all would be fine. I could confess if something is wrong. God, I sound like a 10 yr old!

Hi Lemontart - can you go to a family planning or STD clinic instead of the GP's surgery?

I used to work near one and it was far better than the GP for anything like this. The nurses know what they are doing so it is much more painless. It can be horrible having someone rough and / or incompetent rummaging around, while tutting at you as if the involuntary wincing is your fault.

Not wanting to put anyone off - quite the opposite, just wanted to say that there is a huge variation in how nasty or otherwise the procedure needs to be and if there is any way you can go to some kind of specialist clinic for this, I would advise anyone, especially those who have more reason to be anxious, to do this - believe it or not it can be ok, and yes I agree it can also be horrible and you are not imagining it.

A routine smear probably saved my life. I heart the NHS!

thank you vezzie. Not thought about that. I just worry that if I go anywhere else and the info passed on to the surgery, they will wonder why not through them. So silly I know. They have thousands of patients and hardly going to bother with me, just all in my head I guess.
I think I will look into the family planning clinic idea though. Will go on the NHS local branch website and find out. Thank you

private health care- I used to goto Marie Stopes clinic in London for years, then I went to my local private hospital- it is not a BUPA hospital, but is simialr- do you have one near you?
They offer all kinds of well-person checks, from full MOTs to smears and mammograms.
I used topay £25 for years andnow it is gone up- but I still think it is great value. The big bonus is tat youget to talk tothe dr as well about any concerns, and I get my results within 10 days- not 12 weeks like NHS- God help anyone if there is a problem and they need to wait 3 months for the result!
The dr who does it where I go privately is actually a GP at my surgery- she is obviously moonlighting!
All you need do is phone up your local private hospital and make an appt.
The result comes straight to you and they usually send a copy to your GP.

thank you for taking the time to pass on all the info honestfriend.
Both you and vezzie have given me a lot to think about. Going to do a little bit of homework and sort myself out!

Many thanks

*PS- just wanted to add that if you say there is a problem then they do try to be gentle! I have had vaginal surgery after a prolapse and I still have a bladder condition that can be painful- I have found that by telling them this, they do try to make it as easy as possible and only "open you up" as much as they need to!

Obviously if there is a problem with the result, you would be treated on the NHS under your own dr.

I had about 12years between my first and the one I had 6 months ago - the reason? The forst was horrible and just couldn't face it again, once I had DD decided I had to face up to this and it was fine they have fedo changed it.

The smears are a completely different experience with the new speculums imo. It's over so fast and you barely feel it. The old metal ones were horrible.

I do understand not wanting to go, having a fear of something is horrid. I've had CBT in the past for anxiety but it is so important. One good thing that came out of what happened to me was that all my friends booked theirs! Some hadn't had them for ten years or more.

How sad, that people are willing to die because of embarrassment.

Yes, I go!

I have CINII/III and loop treatment for it.

That was before I had kids.

If I'd not gone for that test, there's a distinct possibility I may never have had children, or even survived to the age I am now.

expat - I'm not sure anyone on this thread has said they've not had one because of embarassment have they (could have missed some posts somewhere)

The only one I ever really dreaded was my first one, because I was a virgin had never had any kind of examination like it and didn't know what to expect.

I still feel a bit narked that they always treat you like you should know exactly what to do, where to lie, where to put your feet etc.

I have a friend who used to ask me if she could have some of my pill prescription as she didn't want to go to the doctor incase they looked at her notes and realised her smear was overdue!

I just go and get on with it as it's over in seconds and isn't that uncomfortable.

becka1 - do you ever have sex?

I don't get the age thing.
I had my first before I got married so I was just 21. I'm pretty sure I have been sent reminders since I was 18 though

I have had one every year for the past 11 years.

Every woman on my mother's side has died with some kind of tumor in their uterus or has had a hysterectomy so anything I can do to maintain my health in that general region is a good thing.

What is putting me off is the fact that the last two I have had have come back as an unviable sample. A letter arrived informing me of this fact along with a list of reasons this might be eg a glass slide had broken, blood mixed in with the cells and so on.

I was so careful to go at the correct time in my cycle and I don't know what else I can do so I am reluctant to go through another one without knowing more specifically what it might be.

I wouldn't let embarrassment stop me doing something that might be life saving. Having had 3 children that sort of thing no longer embarrasses me anyway.

FPOPS - it is not YPUR fault, but the person taking it usually- they sometimes don't collect enough cells or the right sort. Now that they use brushes and not a spatula, this should not happen so often- do they use brushes on you? I had brushes for ages but that was privately, and was told that the NHS didn't use them when they could as they cost more- but I think they are in general use now.
I know it means you have to go through it all again, but it's not a reason not to have it done, is it?

My previous gp seemed unable to get cells - or he just liked trying all the spare brushy, sticky tools he had. if you had difficulties with one sample taker, try another.

i went for the first time after my baby was born - i had such a phobia about it i nearly had a panic attack every time a reminder arrived! but after having a stretch and sweep and barely feeling anything i had a lovely nurse and it was nothing, it was reassuring to get the 'you're fine' letter. spare a thought for husbands who may have to have prostrate checks one day!

plus, i owe it to my family to get checked out if it can be treated early and save my life.

Sorry this might be a stupid question but, what is CBT?

And would my GP be able to refer me for it? As they won't refer for me any kind of hypnotherapy or anything to overcome my phobia.

Going for a smear is a bit like going to the dentist or giving blood - not my idea of a fun day out but a necessary evil.

I think that you owe it to yourself to go. Is about taking care of yourself.

I HATE smear tests and giving blood but I still do it as I feel I should.