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Original poster

those of you who are reluctant to have a smear test...

70 replies

thisisyesterday · 04/07/2009 21:12

i know we do a heads-up from time to time to get those of us who are reluctant to get things stuffed up our fanjos to go for one.
I am one of those people. I am 28 and have never had a smear test.

A short while ago my best friend went for one. The results were abnormal and she was sent a letter asking her to go in for more investigations. The nurse assured her that more often than not it's nothing.
Unfortunately it isn't nothing. They suspect that the cells they have got are pre-cancerous. She had 3 biopsies taken and is awaiting results.
If what they suspect is true she will have to have an operation to remove part of her cervix. this may mean that any children she has are born prematurely.

If she hadn't had the smear, or if she hadn't gone for the follow-up then she might have ended up with cancer.

it has really shocked me. it's one of those things that only happens to "other people".

so get a smear booked.

OP posts:

BellaNoir · 07/07/2009 23:26

Phono if your last one was 2 years, 10 months ago then you should be getting an invite letter in the next 4-5 weeks. This will also appear on your surgeries Prior Notification List (prob the August one) so the practice staff should know you're due. Ask them to check the due date on Open Exeter if needs be.

expatinscotland · 07/07/2009 23:27

are they still doing them at 6weeks post-partum? i went to my check up after dd2 and mentioned i had pain down there still and she (GP) said i was still pretty eroded as far as cervix was concerned.

i had one 6 months after DS (my 3nd) was born and i had a LEEP in 2002 for CINII.

lockets · 07/07/2009 23:40

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

BellaNoir · 07/07/2009 23:58

Expat - you'd still be an annual follow up then? We advise against Pap test at the 6/52 post natal check. One, too painful. Two, it can be jolly tricky for us to read and interpret the sample.

BellaNoir · 07/07/2009 23:59

Ps night all

expatinscotland · 08/07/2009 11:20

i think i'm on 3-yearly now because i've had normal smears since then.

just had one in May and it was normal.

Phono · 08/07/2009 14:31

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Doyouthinktheysaurus · 08/07/2009 14:52

I had cervical cancer nearly 4 years ago. I was 3 years late for a smear as I had 2 pregnancies close together. I had my surgery when DS2 was about 15 months old

No symptoms at all, it was detected through a colposcopy after an abnormal smear.

The surgery was pretty brutal, a radical hysterectomy but if I'd not had that smear when I did things could have been alot worse. It was still very traumatic though and still is at times.

Plus I still have to have smears and internal examinations yearly, used to be 6 monthly.

Olihan · 08/07/2009 22:07

Bella, thanks for that. I'll ring next week if I haven't heard anything.

My history is 2 abnormal smears in 2007, colposcopy showing CIN1 that was confirmed by biopsy so no treatment needed. Follow up colp 6 months later that showed CIN1 had gone, smear 6 months later was inconclusive, so recalled me after 3mo; also inconclusive, recalled 3 months later; no results yet.

The doc did say if this one was also inconclusive they would have me back in for a colposcopy to have a good look at what was going on. Does that sound about right? I can't decide whether to worry about it or not.

BellaNoir · 09/07/2009 18:51

@Olihan - yes, if this one (that you've just had) is inconclusive then you would usually be referred.

@Phono - it was common practice to take a Pap at the 6/52 post natal as organised screening (i.e. having a proper computerised system for calling people to have tests) was only getting going. It was handy as the practice nurse was checking that area anyway. This has just stuck in peoples' minds and it seems to be hard sometimes to get everyone updated and move away from the 'old times'.

@expat - being back on routine may well be because your CIN2 was picked up in 2002 before the change to 10xannuals in 2004. Some areas kept to the 5 year f/up for anyone having CIN before 2004.
Other areas gave 10 year f/up to anyone who was already having annuals (for CIN2+), partly because it's a lot easier to administrate.

BellaNoir · 09/07/2009 18:52

Doyouthinktheysaurus - sorry to hear about your illness and hope you improve with time.

Meglet · 23/08/2009 22:35

bumping this thread as the topic seems to have been a bit quiet lately.

Don't forget your smear tests .

mindermummy · 24/08/2009 13:23

i am worried now....i have just had my letter to go for my 4 th smear, after "minor changes" have been found every time. It kind of insuated that this was the last one before they investiagted further...im so worried.

Meglet · 24/08/2009 13:28

minder Don't panic. You are in the system and if the next one doesn't come back normal they will do a colposcopy. TBH I prefer coloposcopies, they are usually done in a gynea ward on a proper chair and by nurses, more comfortable than on a doctors couch. Remember, smear tests are preventative, they are trying to catch any potential problems before they get serious.

BellaNoir · 24/08/2009 22:10

Hi mindermummy
Do you mind me asking how long this has been over, i.e. what sort of gaps in between each test?
Also have you moved at all in between having the tests, as sometimes not all your screening history is available if you've recently moved.
If you are worried (and as meglet says don't panic) ask to discuss it with someone, the practice nurse when you go for the next one.
I would say you'd got the impression you'd be referred. They will be able to check with the lab about the correct management.
I work in a screening lab and we're happy to get calls from the GP or practice nurse if they would to check patient management.

If you would like to read the national guidance on when women should be referred, have a look at the screening programme website and at publication 20 which gives more detail. If you read this you'll see there is some variation allowed on exactly when a patient is referred but generally (and I say generally not knowing any specifics about your history etc) you would be referred on your 3rd consecutive low grade/minor abnormality.

HTH and please do contact your GP for more information.

TheOldestCat · 24/08/2009 22:21

Bumpity bump from me - another person who thanks the Lord for the screening programme.

Had CIN III in 2003 (had always had regular smears and no minor abnormalities at any previous ones). After the LEEP had yearly smears (only interrupted by pregnancy) and am back on the three-yearly cycle now as they've all been normal.

I feel very lucky.

Book your smear tests people!

PitysSake · 24/08/2009 22:21

well i am pissed off at my second recall for a smaple with blood in it

grr

mindermummy · 25/08/2009 09:20

bella noir;

I have been having the last lot every 6 months roughly..although when calle din it has been more like 5 months.

I have not moved in thast time. I have asked the nurse every time i have it done..and she said not to worry as it sayes Mild changesThanks for your advice.xxx.

mindermummy · 25/08/2009 09:25

just looked at publication 20 and really helped, thanks.xxxx

MamaGoblin · 27/08/2009 22:29

Pityssake - blood because they were a bit cack-handed? they can work around a bit of blood, though, apparently.

I second your grrr - have just had three smears in three months - first two were 'insufficient' and finally the last one took (I should bloody well think so too, GP was very, um, robust with her little spatula) and I have a clear, phew.

That wasn't meant to put reluctant smearees off, BTW! Quick and easy, no-brainer.

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