smear tests

[mumof2rugrats]

hi im 23 and have a family history of abnormal smear test results in early twentys .as you are aware of poor jade goody i am getting worried about my health because of family history but my docs wont give me smear test as im too young is there anyone that could give me some advise on how to get a smear done ..

You're too young? Change doctors! Is this the policy where you are or just your GP's practice policy? I thought it was over 18 unless the woman was not sexually active???

I heard on the tv yesterday, that the Government guidelines are that women under 25 aren't routinely offered smears because of false positive results and that it is up to your individual GP's decision whether to refer an under 25 for a smear if she asks for one based on symptoms, fear etc. Dr Hilary from GMTV said that if an under 25 came into his surgery and was sensible enough to request one then he would refer them. Seems a bit hit and miss if you have to rely on your GP sharing that view though.

when i went to the docs yesterday i thought i was going to have a smear but when i got there she said even if they did do a smear and send it off to the lab they would just send it back because of my age instead i will have to have a sti test with the nurse and if that came back clear then i would have to go to the gum clinic and have test for all sti and std and then if they are all clear then my gp might refer me for one ...

The path lab wouldn't send it back if it's accompanied by a letter from your GP.

I would demand a referral to a gynaecologist as there is clearly a family history that needs to be discussed with you. i.e. you need appropriate counselling from a specialist; and a GP is definitely not the one to do this.

See your GP, if referral is not forthcoming, hand over a letter outlining your concerns. Make sure the letter is copied to the GYN dept of your local hospital.

Mumof2 do you have a family history of cervical cancer, or just of abnormal smear results? If you have a family history of cervical cancer you shouldn't be in the general screening system anyway, and you can self refer to one of the family cancer clinics.

my great nan had cervical cancer
nan had cervical cancer at 27
aunt had abnormal smear at 23 an had treatmentso did cousin..

Mumof2rugrats - you have a few options. The first is to go back to your GP and explain that because of your family history, you are terrified of getting cervical cancer young and so would ask him/her to reconsider their decision not to give you a smear test (after all, your family do seem to have been unusually unlucky on this front!). Or you can pay to have a privately done smear test - you can probably find a private clinic where you can have this done by doing an internet search, or asking your GP's surgery if they have any details of private clinics where you could get it done outside the national screening programme. Or, since the chances of getting cervical cancer are remote if you don't have the human papilloma virus that causes almost all cases of it, you could pay to have an HPV test. If that comes back negative, then you know you really shouldn't be worried about developing cancer between now and when you are first called to become part of the routine national smear programme when you are 25. If the HPV test comes back positive for high risk HPV, then you know that for your own peace of mind, it is worth trying to get a smear test done sooner than the national programme of testing normally allows and can go back to your GP and ask again. Or you can pay to have an HPV test and smear test at the same time.

iv got docs this afternoon so i will be talking to them about my concerns thank you for your help ...