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Original poster

If you are under 25 and ask for a smear test, do they have to give you one or can they refuse?

52 replies

StudentMadwife · 23/02/2009 21:07

anyone know?

OP posts:
Original poster
StudentMadwife · 23/02/2009 21:15

bump

OP posts:
thisisyesterday · 23/02/2009 21:16

there is a woman local to me who is dying after being refused a smear test 3 times

I suspect if you push hard enough they'd have to give you one though

Ewe · 23/02/2009 21:17

I had one and I am 21, just book yourself in?

lou33 · 23/02/2009 21:17

i didnt realise there was a lower age limit

i have been having them since i was 17 yrs old

my gp at the time said you start having smear tests when you start being sexually active

beanieb · 23/02/2009 21:19

I think in Wales and Scotland you can have them earlier, in England not until in your twenties. Not sure... will try to find link...

kidcreoleandthecoconuts · 23/02/2009 21:19

I had my first smear at the age of 16 .
If you're sexually active I thought you were supposed to have them.

Original poster
StudentMadwife · 23/02/2009 21:21

so just go to the gp and request one? are they allowed to refuse you? Im really confused with the new over 25 rules and what this means. I def think i should be smeared-sexually active since 15, quite a fe sexual partners children at 19+20, smoker etc etc

OP posts:
LadyOfWaffle · 23/02/2009 21:21

I had an attempt at one at 15/16, then one at 18 but that was in relation to stomach pains etc. Going to book one soon - I'll let you know if I'm allowed!

beanieb · 23/02/2009 21:21

here

thisisyesterday · 23/02/2009 21:22

guidelines say once you are 25 as the risk before then is so small.

Original poster
StudentMadwife · 23/02/2009 21:23

Ive seen that info but does that mean they have no obligation to do one before 25?

OP posts:
Original poster
StudentMadwife · 23/02/2009 21:23

but 50 women in the uk get cervical cancer before 25 every yr

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beanieb · 23/02/2009 21:28

they don't call women automatically, but I am not sure what they would do if a smear was requested. I guess it would depend on the reasons someone was asking. Do they still think only women who have had sex need them for example?

Zebraa · 23/02/2009 21:43

They will refuse you before the age of 25 if you haven't had one previously.

It was that once you were sexually active, they would test you. But some years ago they put the age limit up to 25 as results are not as reliable as they should be due to the amount of unsettled hormones in women under the age of 25.

They will send you a letter when you are 24 for when you turn 25 or sometimes a few months before.

If you have a history of cervical cancer or have experienced severe symptoms, they will test you.

Sidge · 23/02/2009 21:43

Women under 25 aren't entitled to a smear as part of the Cervical Screening Programme, but if you have a sympathetic GP s/he may do one for you. However they are not obliged to.

They can be done at any age if clinically indicated, eg bleeding after sex, irregular vaginal discharge, bleeding between periods etc.

Original poster
StudentMadwife · 23/02/2009 21:46

i have all above things, which i just put down to ovarian cysts and Implanon

OP posts:
Zebraa · 23/02/2009 21:48

Speak to your GP. But don't be alarmed if she sends you home and asks you to wait. It's just routine and thousands of women have been turned away under 25.

Original poster
StudentMadwife · 23/02/2009 21:51

it seems mad. I think if under and not sexually active then should be 25, but if you are along with many other risk factors it should be 20. it seems wrong that scotland and ireland its 20, but here 25. wonder if theres a way to find out the statistics for positive results in these areas?

OP posts:
Sidge · 23/02/2009 21:55

It does seem daft.

But if it's any consolation the number of false recalls in young women was enormous, so hopefully waiting till 25 will reduce the numbers of repeat smears and unnecessary colposcopy referrals.

But if you're having postcoital bleeding, bleeding between periods etc you ought to have a smear. It's probably not related but it would be a good idea to get checked.

hotCheeseBURNS · 23/02/2009 21:56

I've had a few and I'm only 24, I think they just did it along with other screening.

cheesesarnie · 23/02/2009 21:59

it makes me cross.someone close to me really could have done with one but didnt have one because of her age(sorry speaking in tongues!).
i have visions of marching dd aged 17 or whatever to gp for smear.

tiggerlovestobounce · 23/02/2009 22:00

Regardless of the screening programme, if you have symptoms you are entitled to ask your GP to investigate them.
The screening programme is there to detect problems in asymptomatic people. If you have symptoms then your case should be dealt with as your GP feels is appropriate for you.

ToiletRollCover · 23/02/2009 22:01

I had one at 17. All the women on m mums side of the family have had cervical cancer or some problem related to lady bits so I was sent for one early. Have one every 2 years.

ElfOnTheTopShelf · 23/02/2009 22:05

It used to be one year from being sexually active or when you turned 19 iirc.

cheesesarnie · 23/02/2009 22:05

but what if you dont have symptons and then by the time you do its too late?

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