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Original poster

Its the Jade Goody Effect - my smear is overdue and I've just booked one. Join me!!!!

264 replies

frumpygrumpy · 23/02/2009 12:30

Its six months overdue and I've made an appointment for a week today.

C'mon girls. Anyone else putting it off FOR NO GOOD REASON???

OP posts:
Shhhh · 24/02/2009 20:44

diva,they are 3 yearly.

Comp, how the heck did you do it yourself .
Feck, when the nurse does mine she usually needs a miners helmet..

careergirl · 24/02/2009 20:58

I've booked mine as 34 and never had one but I don't know if i'll be able to go through with it.
Nothing to do with the Jade Goody effect but a lot to do with being diagnosed with skin cancer last year which has frightend me into making the app
I really don't think I can go through with it though.
Didn't even think they offered them to people who aren't sexually active but apparently you are still meant to have them?

alicecrail · 24/02/2009 22:09

Thanks for all information. Will get it sorted for her

Shhhh · 24/02/2009 22:56

cg, do it..please don't cancel it.
If you have had sex then you must have one..even if you aren't sexually active as im sure its not how often you have sex that afects it but the fact you have had sex iykiwm..

I understand fear is putting you off following last year BUT worse can happen if you delay it and changes have occurred.

Remember, it detects changes NOT cancer initially so the quicker your get tested the quicker you get the all clear or treatment.. xx

careergirl · 24/02/2009 22:58

i know....I think if i were going to cancel it i would have done it by now. My head is telling me not to be stupid so hopefully....
if you've not had sex as in never a/ will they still test b/ will it be v painful?

Shhhh · 24/02/2009 23:13

if you haven;t had sex then you don't need a test afaik..

The virus is usually spread/started by sex.Everyone is subjected to it but only turns into precancerous cells on occasions..my understanding anyway.

careergirl · 24/02/2009 23:23

you see this is the confusion some say I need one some don't...

Shhhh · 24/02/2009 23:34

read this one passage up from the bottom

Shhhh · 24/02/2009 23:35

if you have never been sexually active you don't need one. If you have been active (even if its been once) then you need one. hth x

Shhhh · 24/02/2009 23:35

if you have never been sexually active you don't need one. If you have been active (even if its been once) then you need one. hth x

careergirl · 24/02/2009 23:45

Thanks I've read the link,e but the NHS advice is low risk not no risk . Also cervical cancer can be caused by other factors than the HPV virus. For peace of mind alone think I need to do this...

HolyGuacamole · 25/02/2009 00:32

CG - Have the smear, honestly, it's 2 minutes maximum. I had mine today (took about 45 seconds in total) and they use a little brush now so there's no scraping. Tell the nurse you feel nervous/awkward and by the time she reassures you, it will all be over and done with. Afterwards you'll wonder what the heck you were worried about I am insanely petrified of doctors/dentists/hospitals etc etc and if I can do it, anyone can

Anyone who is thinking about it......JUST DO IT!!!!!! No excuses!!!

BellaNoir · 25/02/2009 13:59

HPV can be transmitted by skin to skin contact, so you don't have to have actually had SI to get it. This is why people can pass it on even if they use barrier methods of contraception.
This is one of the reasons why they say 'low risk' not no risk.

The NHS CSP website has useful info about screening.

careergirl · 25/02/2009 20:44

its okay still got the appointment going in the morning!!!

ra29needsabettername · 25/02/2009 20:49

I'm joining too! Don't know how many years it's been...

EyeballsintheSky · 25/02/2009 22:49

Got mine tomorrow morning. Off now for preliminary bath (will shower before appt!) and a bit of gardening. I know you all really wanted to know that!

WallOfSilence · 25/02/2009 23:12

I had mine last Wednesday. I was worried sick & felt really nervous as I had put it off for 7 years!

Honestly, when it was over I wondered what the heck I was so worried about!! Nothing to it!

The wait for the results is far worse.

When you go in just explain to the nurse you are a little uptight & worried. Maybe ask for the smaller size speculum? I know mine was the smaller size & clear plastic so wasn't as uncomfortable as the steel ones used to be!!

Deep breath... little tip.. say a short nursey rhyme in your head.. it takes your mind off what the nurse is doing & you know the smear will be over by the time you've reached the end of it.

When I got mind done I recited the alphabet slowly, beginning when she inserted the speculum and I only got to the letter 'L' when she had finished

simpson · 25/02/2009 23:17

Wallofsilence - that is good to hear...

I am ashamed to admit my smear is about 5yrs overdue.

They could not fit me in till 9th March, so have time to psyche myself up

careergirl · 26/02/2009 11:32

went but they won't do one as not sexually active so thats me off the hook

EyeballsintheSky · 26/02/2009 13:51

Mine's done now so hopefully that's me for three years.

Shhhh · 26/02/2009 14:38

glad you went cg.

Gosh,wish mine only took to get to the letter "L" to get it done...

Im usually in there way longer than I want to be...
My cervix is slightly tilted back so the test often involves me sitting on my fists and the nurse doing lots of rotuing around .

BUT I don't mind...imo its nowhere near as painfull or embarassing as childbirth .

Original poster
frumpygrumpy · 26/02/2009 17:12

Why, eyeballs, you look like you've just had a smear Well done!! And I bet you are glad for the pruning.

OP posts:
BellaNoir · 26/02/2009 20:26

We had double our normal workload in the lab yesterday!

Am imagining queues round the block at the surgery.
Spoke to a practice nurse I know and they are using every available/spare clinic appointment, even they were usually scheduled for other stuff, so that they see everyone as soon as possible.
Keep it up ladies

EyeballsintheSky · 26/02/2009 21:42

To anyone who is waiting for theirs, I can honestly say that the rather vicious attack I made on my nethers last night is causing me far more distress than the smear did. It's a peace of piss (literally in my case, damn pelvic floor )

Original poster
frumpygrumpy · 26/02/2009 22:17

And that from eyeballs who was almost a born again virgin in the smear department

bella, that's fab

OP posts: