Anyone else never had a smear test?

[swiperfox]

I keep getting letters to go and have one but I really don't want to!! I hate the mere thought of them. There's a fair chance the results will get messed up at some point and docotrs hate doing them.

Is there anyone else who refuses to have one or am I the minority??

Marthamoo - same story here, CIN3. It was dealt with straight away and except for serious clotting 2 weeks later, no probs.

I always drag my friends to the doctors - by the hair if necessary - although by the time i've told them what happened to me, they usually go under their own steam

I haven't read all the posts properly but I think there are a lot of us out there, swiperfox, who don't get them done. It really annoys me when people say 'don't be silly, it doesn't hurt'. Well, I have pushed out a 7lb baby with almost no pain relief and I can assure those patronising people that a smear test is a hell of a lot more painful than giving birth for some people and I am one of them. I have had countless attempts to get them done - all ending in severe pain until I said no more. Drs can't be trusted to give unbiased opionions on their worth because yes, they get paid to do them. My midwife practically begged me to get it done after the baby is born and said she would personally turn up and hold my hand so I may give it one more go but it is my choice.

Brooke Shields' infertility was caused by CIN3. Luckily, it was caught before it became cancerous, but it had spread into her endocervical canal. She had to have a cone biopsy to remove it. This scarred her cervix and sperm was unable to pass. Eventually she conceived thru IVF, but can you imagine what the outcome would have been had she not had a smear test?

Logic - me too. I had my one and only smear about 18 years ago - hurt like hell and I bled afterwards. Since then several nurses/GPs have attempted to do a smear but it's not worked - unbelievably painful... So I just don't go any more - haven't tried to have one done for a few years now and probably won't again - it was one of the most painful things I've ever experienced, and I've broken bones, been through a 33 hour labour and had a c-section..!

PLEASE PLEASE ALL GO FOR YOUR OVERDUE SMEARS. IT COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE.
Dot1 they have much better practices now.

My cervix is apparently just a "real mess of scar tissue" because of the pre-cancerous cells. It bloody hurts to have a smear, but every year I have to get them done.

I did have a private PAPs test done years ago which is a lot more accurate than a smear and that cost me about £75 - through an offer they were doing through Marie Claire.

It isn't pleasant, but am glad they caught mine in time or I would be suffering with cervical cancer about now and would never have had my ds.

MummytoSteven, do not apply lubricant before you go to your appointment as lubricant affects the smear and covers the cells so they cannot be read. It makes everything look all blurry. The smear guidelines state that ideally a woman would not bath or shower 24 hours before a smear test so to avoid affecting the cells in any way with soaps, bath oils and other products. Most people would say 'yuck' and I don't know anyone having a smear who would follow these guidelines!

There are a lot of myths about cervical cancer and having smear tests. I do believe that having a test should not hurt (there are no nerve endings on the surface of the cervix, so the actual test itself should be ok) but having the speculum inserted into the vagina can be very uncomfortable for many women. For example some women can have a condition called 'vaginismus' where the vagina goes into spasm during examinations / sex and this can be very painful and make it virtually impossible.

If a woman definitely does not want to have regular smear tests (for whatever reason) then it may be worth her while having a one-off test for the HPV virus, which can give more of an idea about her personal risks for getting cervical cancer in the future. This may then help her make more of an informed decision about whether or not to attend for screening.

Some feminists argue that women are sometimes 'over-screened', i.e. cervical screening, mammograms etc. And actually there is a relatively high incidence of testicular cancer (higher than cervical cancer if I remember rightly), but men are not expected to attend to have their balls examined every year or their penises looked at for evidence of penile cancer, or be poked or prodded. I don't know what other mumsnetters think about this?

Hi mummytosteven, just wanted to say that my prebaby smears were always difficult until somebody finally told me that I had a long vagina and after that as soon as I mentioned it before they began they used a different size speculum and it was much easier. However, would just say that since having babies the probelm seems to have gone and it has been much easier and quicker.

Watned to add, and I know its everyones choice, but I do feel quite passionate about smears having had early stages of cervical cancer at the age of 23. Picked up on routine smear, luckily hadn't gone too far and was resolved quite easily. If people dont want to go that is fine, but please please please dont let fear/embarrasment stop you.

The HPV test is not yet available on the NHS apart from in some areas where they are doing studies into looking at the benefits of HPV testing alongside routine smears. You can go and pay to have the test performed privately in some places like Marie Stopes though.

The HPV test is like having a smear test (or can be done at the same time as a smear) but the cells are examined for presence of the HPV virus rather than pre-cancerous changes. In the US, women who have certain types of HPV virus (there are many types) are often more regular cervical screening because there is evidence that certain strains of HPV virus are linked to abnormal cells on the cervix. In this country, cervical screening policy is the same for every woman, regardless of HPV status, so up until now there has been no reason to offer the HPV test (which is also expensive). This is under review at present though, so it may be introduced on the NHS in the future.

pinkdiamond - I am on a study which involves HPV testing and whether there is a link with this and cervical cancer. The procedure is as for a normal smear.

Every test I have had has shown a clear smear test and a positive HPV test. Because I had two consecutive +ive HPV tests I was offered colposcopy where they look at your cervix with a camera (fascinating stuff!) thankfully I have a normal, healthy cervix. Because I'm on the study I get the test annually which is great as far as I'm concerned. Lots of women have the HP Virus but don't know anything about it and if you do have it, it doesn't necessarily follow that you will get cervical cancer.

I'm told by my practitioner that the liquid based cytology testing will replace the traditional smear tests. (its exactly the same from the patients point of view)!

HTH!

good for you!

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Please go for your smear test. If not for your own sake for your children.
My mum refused to go for a smear test - had a phobia about it. At age 52 with numerous symptoms it was discovered that she had cancer of the cervix. After further investigation it was discovered that it had spread to her uterus and beyond. They tried various radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatments but it had gone too far. During the next 2 years it progressed throughout her body and at the age of 54 she died. Although she tried to put a brave face on things that 2 years was very difficult for our family. At one point she did say that if she had known what was involved with the treatment she would have had no qualms going for a smear test. The consultant said when she first went to him that for the cancer to have advanced so much she must have had it for at least 10 years and for the most part of that 10 years it would have been easily treatable. Two cousins on my mums side have had abnormal smears which needed treatment and they are alive and well.
Smear tests are not pleasant but the alternative could be much worse.

lisalisa - i cannot BELIEVE the doctor did that to you! That is such bad practice - whether it was for a moment or not, she should not have left the speculum inside you if she had to pop out of the room. You poor thing - no wonder you don't like smears! I doubt the obs will do a smear for you during your C-section, but you could ask. You can still have them done during pregnancy. They may not have the equipment needed to do it in theatre, which sounds silly but theatre kits are very specific. I would advise you to go to a family planning clinic in the future where they are very experienced in taking smears as they do lots every day. They tend to have a bit more time than GP surgeries and are perhaps a little more women-centred. I would hope you would have a better experience.

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lisalisa you can call the family planning helpline number on 0845 310 1334 and give them the postcode of where you live or work and they will give you a list of clinics local to you, and the opening times. I live / work in SE london so not sure about your area off the top of my head. The helpline is also staffed by nurses too so they can give you more advice / answer any questions you may have if you have worries about anything family planning / gynae related. HTH! Good luck!

I relly understand the fear of smears, I used to have the sweats about it, but just to echo others, I too have almost lost my wonderful best friend to cervical cancer (mum to 2 great girls) and have had other cancer treatment myself, all caught by the early warning systems in the NHS.

These days I do all checkups, tests etc. for my son's sake and I do make a point of telling the doc I am nervous. Mine advised me to have my last smear mid-cycle and was very understanding. It didn't hurt, we managed to have a laugh about the things women have to go through, then I went home via the cake shop.

Like marthamoo exactly the same condition was discovered after a routine smear test, I was only 25 and had dd1 a few years previously. I was given a cone biopsy which had no complications at all and lots of years later I had another dd (normal delivery). For years I was recalled annually but then became 3 yearly again. For me, any embarrassment or dislike is easily outweighed by the possible consequences of not having them done. The latest thing they told me at the well-woman clinic where I have my smears done (wouldn't like a male doctor doing them) is that in a couple of years time I will be the age to start having breast scans

Smear Tests are a vital part of female health screening PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do not waive your right to have them because you are squeamish. They are so quick and only have to be done once every three years, it's just not a risk worth taking.

Even after reading posts like mine, there are still people who just don't get it. Do you honestly think that I don't know the pros and cons? You are only really at risk if you have HPV and/or you smoke. It's rather insulting to assume that everyone falls into these categories, don't you think?

how naive
my aunt was a virgin at 49 and got cervical cancer, she had never thought she needed a smear either oh and she was a non smoker
she died 2 yrs ago after a diabolical hospital intervention ignoring her wish to die peacefully at home.
I do not smoke and have never had HPV and have never had a normal smear, I have had biopsies and scrapres and am annual check up.
but hey it's your body!

How naive - quite. Couldn't have said it better myself.

I don't normally post on controversial threads because generally I believe that life is a balance of risks and that everyone is entitled to make their own choices but there is really some gobsmacking tunnel vision on here. There's just no point.