Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
General health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

A bit mortified about this, But how do you arrange a smear?

23 replies

mamadiva · 16/02/2009 11:35

I am 22 never had a smear test , have had the little invite thing through twice and never again so am not sure if i missed it and that's that.

Can I just phone my GP and ask or is it the local hospital? Sorry for being thick am really uncomfortable about this but after reading about Jade it's gave me a kick oup the arse...

OP posts:
Pinkchampagne · 16/02/2009 11:36

Just phone your surgery & ask if you can book a smear test

ilove · 16/02/2009 11:36

Ringthe GP and say you need to book your smear test. That's it!

happymostofthetime · 16/02/2009 11:37

Ring your GP they or the practice nurse do it. do it today

Original poster
mamadiva · 16/02/2009 11:40

Oh ok thanks am a total div when it comes to these things. but needs must Isuppose.

OP posts:
RubyRioja · 16/02/2009 11:42

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Coldtits · 16/02/2009 11:44

it does not hurt. Promise. I am a medical wimp and didn't have one until I was 27 (after 2nd child!) and I was lucky all was fine with the results. I barely noticed they were doing it, believe me after the internals you get when you're having a baby a smear is a mere pat on the knee.

Original poster
mamadiva · 16/02/2009 11:48

I am not sure when my last period was as I have the Implanon in my arm which has practically stopped them do have the odd one but don't keep record TBH.

Glad it's not just me coldtits for some reason I just did'nt care when I was pregnant and now I'm all shy about it again.

OP posts:
RubyRioja · 16/02/2009 12:26

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

janinlondon · 16/02/2009 12:34

Is there a particular reason you want one? The screening programme starts at 25.......so you are not eligible if you live in the UK...

Original poster
mamadiva · 16/02/2009 12:48

Ruby have got one booked for 5th March am bricking it but the lady on the phone was really nice so has put me at ease a little think it's because I'm not sure what they do.

Janin I was told that but when I was pg with DS they asked what my last results were and when I said I had never had one the MW looked shocked and said you were supposed to start getting smears when you become sexually active and I got a little note thing through a while back about it but I chickened out and didn't go.

OP posts:
RubyRioja · 16/02/2009 13:27

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Coldtits · 16/02/2009 14:09

jan, screening in this area starts at 19!

janinlondon · 16/02/2009 14:34

CT Which health trust are you in?

janinlondon · 16/02/2009 14:36

We no longer send invitations to anyone under 25....????

Original poster
mamadiva · 16/02/2009 14:40

I was 19 when I was asked if I had one by MW and she said you should have them from when you become sexually active?!

I didn't get an invitation until I was 21 though.

OP posts:
Phoenix · 16/02/2009 14:47

When i lived at home i got an invite when i was 18. I never booked it, then when i moved to where i am now i got an invite at 21. I'm 28 now and have had 2, 5yrs apart but that has now changed to 3yrs apart.

West Yorks first, South Yorks now.

Coldtits · 16/02/2009 14:53

jan, I'm in Leicestershire.

janinlondon · 16/02/2009 15:01

Ah....it has changed in the last couple of years, so some people who had invitations when they were quite young are now not up to the starting age. Though that doesn't explain CT's situation....which is completely inexplicable! Leicestershire guidelines are here- definitely in keeping with the NHS UK policy of starting at 25!

Coldtits · 16/02/2009 20:49

But I was 19 in 1999, so maybe the guidelines have changed - or maybe it was because I had had the morning after pill, which ws a relatively new invention.

LollipopViolet · 16/02/2009 20:52

Oooh, erm, can I ask an embarrassing question please? I'm 19, not had one yet...what's a smear test?

Coldtits · 16/02/2009 20:59

They use an instrument to crank open your vagina, and then wipe something over your cervix. They send it away to be looked at inder a microscope. It's to check your cervix is healthy.

pinkteddy · 16/02/2009 21:02

Lollipop its when cells are removed from the cervix and sent away for analysis in order to test for any problems eg: abnormal cells, cervical cancer etc. More information here smear test

BellaNoir · 16/02/2009 23:40

the guidelines about the age range change started in 2004 IIRC but it took awhile for some areas to implement it. I suspect if you'd been called previously because you were eligible then they might have kept on even if you didn't have a test. Normally they'll send a series of 3 letters before leaving you alone again for a bit. The call/recall agency will also send letters to the GP reminding them that you haven't been.

Lollipop: a useful website is here
The idea is to identify PRE-cancerous changes and treat them before they can carry on and develop into cancer (the time it takes to develop into cancer is thought to be 10-15 years). Not all abnormal cells would go onto cancer if left, the high grade abnormality is thought to be more risky, so those are treated. Low grade changes are followed up with pap tests.
Over 4 million women have a test each year and over 90% will have a negative/normal result. Approx 6-7% will have a low grade and around 2% have a high grade result.
Hth

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread