Smear tests - can you have one more than once every three years?

[MrsFogi]

Even if you haven't had an abnormal one. Three years seems an awfully long gap - in France they test yearly. If I just call up and book one will they refuse/charge me if it is less than three years since the last?

I don't think so. I have them every year because I had CINII and CINIII.

You can probably pay for it, though.

I have them done every 2 years - my sisters and mum always get irregular cells so I've asked (they are not in uk) - no problem. 3 years is a long time i agree.

There is only a few % difference in the number of cancers that are prevented by screening annually that economically it doesn't make sense in the UK.
It's more beneficial in terms of the screening programme as a whole to screen more people, as it's aim is to prevent the development of cancer in the target/at risk group.
Other countries screen annually because they pay for it with medical insurance. They also don't undergo ad much training as we do here nor have as many or as frequent safety and quality checks in their labs.
Screening annually also may mean that minor changes which usually go away by themselves are more likely to be picked up and so you are potentially are increasing your risk if having unnecessary treatment.
It is thought that cervical cancer takes between 10-15 years to develop so that gives at least 3-5 tests to detect it if it wasn't picked up at your last test.
Having said all that if you want to have one annually then most practices would ask you to have it done privately to minimise the impact on the routine tests for patients who have had their NHS test.
HTH

Cervical Cancer takes 10-15 years to grow from the "Abnormal Cells" stage if its going to.

So its overkill to screen more than 3-5 years.

The National Programme is 3 yearly if you are 25-49 yrs and 5 yearly from 49yrs to 64 yrs.

This is perfectly "safe".

If someone requested a Smear sooner,and it was done,the labs would get backlogged doing "unnecessary" smears,and the people that have "abnormal cells" and CIN would have to wait longer for their results.

If there is a family history then it may be considered,but not usual IME.

Sorry XPost BellaNoir

If cervical cancer takes between 10 and 15 years to develop, does that mean Jade Goody and other people who develop it in their 20s started to develop it in their early teens? Does this mean they would have been sexually active at this stage, or did they just have a particularly fast-developing version? Sorry, I don't want to turn this thread into tawdry speculation, but just curious.

That's exactly what I was thinking moulesfrites (ooh, I love mussels!)

Surely there's wouldn't start developing that early?

Jade Goody admitted to having treatment very early about 16 yrs old I believe,and because she found that "uncomfortable" she ignored her Smear Test invites for some time apparently.

If she had Pre-cancerous cells then,and they recurred,that would have meant she'd be about 20yrs+ old,when the serious problems occured.

There will always be exceptions to the rule,aggressive types of cancer that develop quicker,but this is the "rule" for all the usual types.

I see, didn't know that about Jade. Thanks Sawyer

You can go privately to your local BUPA or similar hospital- well woman checks available etc. Costs about £50. I have mine every 2 years- feel between the 3yr and 5yr recall on the NHS- best part is the results come to you personally after the dr has seen them in about a week- compared to 12 weeks on the NHS.

You can pay to have a cervical smear done privately outside of the NHS screening programme.

In GP-land, unless a patient is having more frequent smears for previous abnormalities, we aren't allowed to do them any more frequently than 3 yearly. If we took a smear well before it was due, the lab refuse to process it.

With the new Liqued based Cytology method being used now,instead of using Slides,the waiting time for Smears has come down to 6 weeks in our area,and this will improve further as well soon.

(is not paid for my medical insurance in Canada by the way)