Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Women's health

Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you have medical concerns, please seek medical attention.

Original poster

Missing smear tests

112 replies

Georgiemack · 08/04/2023 13:37

There are so many 25s to 35s ignoring the invite letter for a cervical smear test. I had mine on Thursday, and the nurse commented on the current uptakes. Im 49, and have had countless smears, us 45 plus group seem to attend. Its not pleasant as we know, but its not the end of the world either. I thought id write this just hoping it might encourage others if they have had an invite, to make the call.

OP posts:
Motnight · 08/04/2023 13:50

My 25 year old dd had to walk out of her smear test appointment as it was a male nurse. She was told that she could like it or lump it. Wasn't offered another female to accompany her or anything. Later got a letter saying that she had missed her appointment which was completely untrue.

(She is organising another appointment with a female nurse)

dietcokelime · 08/04/2023 13:53

I'm 30 and have never been for one - I've had all of my HPV vaccines, I was told they test for HPV and if negative there's no further tests. So for me, there's no point if that's all they're testing for.

I think it's more common not to go, I don't think any of my friends go either tbh.

JenniferBooth · 08/04/2023 14:04

Im 50 this year and my last one was nine years ago. Far too painful. It feels like razor blades.

Anotherspacecowboy · 08/04/2023 14:09

What's the point anymore? They don't check the sample properly, if you test negative for HPV they just bin it. May as well skip the horrible test and take a HPV test at home. Also do not assume that because it's manageable for you that it's fine for everyone - I used to attend them when invited but they were always painful (even with a sympathetic and experienced nurse).

Hotpinkangel19 · 08/04/2023 14:16

I'm 39 and haven't missed one. Got my first one as soon as I could at 25.

RubbishDay · 08/04/2023 14:19

I am much older but now they only test for HPV I won't be attending again and will pay privately for a less invasive do it yourself HPV test. If that does come back positive then I will follow that up.

Original poster
Georgiemack · 08/04/2023 14:51

@Motnight

Does it matter if it is a female or male?
Back in the nineties it was mostly male doctors that did the smears, i cant see any difference tbh

OP posts:
TheGirlOnTheLanding · 08/04/2023 15:05

I'm over 50 and have always had my smears. This time though I'm very overdue for one as I just can't get through to my GP's surgery without being on hold for 40 mins or so, and they no longer allow us to make appointments online. I work full time and won't be taking time off just to make an appointment with the nurse. (And as it happens, I'd much prefer a female to a male practitioner doing the smear, or indeed anything gynaecological. At least that way the practitioner has firsthand experience of the procedure and knows it can be more than 'uncomfortable', which is how male GPS have described it to me, fairly dismissively.)

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 08/04/2023 15:15

Perhaps if they tested properly like they used to then women would attend appts? Seems pointless when you can just do an HPV test.

AfterTheGoldBrush · 08/04/2023 15:30

What is very concerning is that on threads about smear tests, you get posters actively trying to discourage women from having them. Likewise any thread about mammograms.

Who could possibly want women not to have screening tests that might just save their lives?

cptartapp · 08/04/2023 15:31

Not completely pointless.
I've referred many a lady who have had cervical polyps for example, (which can turn nasty) who had no symptoms.

Glitterb · 08/04/2023 15:37

@AfterTheGoldBrush I agree with you massively on this one, I see so many posts on here basically dismissing smear tests. I’m not sure how anyone can say they are pointless, I am 35 and know of 3 women the same age as me who have been diagnosed with cervical cancer off the back of a smear test, without a smear it is likely they wouldn’t be here today or would have lost the chance to have children.

ReadersD1gest · 08/04/2023 15:39

dietcokelime · 08/04/2023 13:53

I'm 30 and have never been for one - I've had all of my HPV vaccines, I was told they test for HPV and if negative there's no further tests. So for me, there's no point if that's all they're testing for.

I think it's more common not to go, I don't think any of my friends go either tbh.

This. I used to think it was a full on pre cancer screening, but apparently it never was or it's changed.

ReadersD1gest · 08/04/2023 15:40

Georgiemack · 08/04/2023 14:51

@Motnight

Does it matter if it is a female or male?
Back in the nineties it was mostly male doctors that did the smears, i cant see any difference tbh

Yes, of course it does, if you've requested a female.

StrawberryPi · 08/04/2023 15:40

I work in cancer care. Cervical screening is so important and I have never missed mine (and in fact have had several extra similar tests due to gynae problems). It's very unpleasant but only lasts about a minute - I grit my teeth, breathe deeply, and it's over before you know it.

ReadersD1gest · 08/04/2023 15:42

StrawberryPi · 08/04/2023 15:40

I work in cancer care. Cervical screening is so important and I have never missed mine (and in fact have had several extra similar tests due to gynae problems). It's very unpleasant but only lasts about a minute - I grit my teeth, breathe deeply, and it's over before you know it.

What do you think they screen for?

StrawberryPi · 08/04/2023 15:42

Also, a male nurse is going to be just as highly trained and professional as a female one.

And the HPV vaccine only protects against the most common strains, and does not have 100% efficacy, so that is no reason to skip your screening.

TellySavalashairbrush · 08/04/2023 15:45

We should be encouraging all women to attend. My dd went as soon as she was 25 . She had the HPV vaccine but a smear test not only tests for HPV but also gives the nurse the opportunity to also have a good look at the cervix and to warn if anything looks a bit off.
some of the responses on here are baffling . For the sake of a few minutes of discomfort and embarrassment surely it’s worth attending ?

AceofPentacles · 08/04/2023 15:47

I'm 49 and had them religiously until I went to a (male) gynaecologist with suspected atrophy and he subjected me to what can only be described as an assault, (I cried) and then tested me for STIs and said 🤷‍♀️ I don't know what it could be. I'm not going through that pain again thanks

Hbh17 · 08/04/2023 15:50

Well, it's personal choice. I always went for mine when I was young, happy to have a male doctor/nurse, didn't hurt etc. But I was a bit brainwashed, because I treated it like a summons. Now I know that screening isn't some magic wand, and also has downsides. So, in later years, I haven't bothered going and I have also opted out of all mammograms. Some people may prefer to go, so good for them - I am happy for them to have the option. But let's just allow adult women to make the choices that are right for them, without judging them for it.

Survey99 · 08/04/2023 15:50

TheGirlOnTheLanding · 08/04/2023 15:05

I'm over 50 and have always had my smears. This time though I'm very overdue for one as I just can't get through to my GP's surgery without being on hold for 40 mins or so, and they no longer allow us to make appointments online. I work full time and won't be taking time off just to make an appointment with the nurse. (And as it happens, I'd much prefer a female to a male practitioner doing the smear, or indeed anything gynaecological. At least that way the practitioner has firsthand experience of the procedure and knows it can be more than 'uncomfortable', which is how male GPS have described it to me, fairly dismissively.)

I've never had a "painful" smear, a large number of people don't. How will a female nurse who has always had straight forward pain free smears herself know they can be "more than uncomfortable"?

Nothing wrong with preferring a female, I do for (probably ridiculous) modestly reasons, but your logic seems flawed.

WheelsUp · 08/04/2023 15:52

My dd is 20 and was eligible for the HPV vaccine at school. Since smear tests only test for HPV now, take up is going to be low in young people because they had the vaccine

WhatTheHeckyPeck · 08/04/2023 15:53

I'm in my 50's and have only had 2 smears. I opted out of the screening program around 10 years ago. After the traumatic time I had at my last one (not going into details so don't ask), nothing would entice me to have another again.

MintJulia · 08/04/2023 15:56

OP, you are right.

Having watched my DSD lose her life to cervical cancer, I always advise people to go for a smear. The vaccine only protects against four (or more recently 9) variants of the virus.

OK, the test can be a little uncomfortable but having watched DSD lose her cervix, then a kidney, then fade away over the course of a year, there is really no contest. 🙁

My DS has just had his second vaccination.

Chesneyhawkes1 · 08/04/2023 15:57

I missed loads and didn't go for one for over 10 years. Then I went for one at 41 and I had cervical cancer. So it was lucky I did.

Yes they are uncomfortable but brachytherapy was a million times worse 😬

Swipe left for the next trending thread