Smear Tests

[wisewomen]

I got my reminder through yesterday and really really just want to ignore it. The last time I went I had a really bad experience and was in pain for days!

I also feel as though ive been kind of cheated. All the paperwork that comes with the reminders says that they offer smears to women over 25. I had my first at 16 and now wonder why I was put through it when I didnt need to be. I have no family history, didnt have sex at an early age and have had regular boyfriends.

Any one else had similar experiences? I feel angry at the whole system :-(

[Sasha13]

I had a smear at 16 and haven't had one since - 12 years. I've ignored all my reminders. However, I've now decided I'm being ridiculous and the time has come for me to get it sorted. (I get really embarrassed - have no idea why).

I think you should go - I'm sure they say smears are for over 25's only so that they don't have a huge demand and, as I said, I certainly went for one at 16.

Go and get it over and done with - explain to the nurse about your last experience so that they are more gentle with you this time.

x

[4GS]

Morning wisewomen
I've got a funny true story to do with smear tests.
A lady had to go and have that test done so she wanted to look "nice + clean" down there so she washed her bits + pieces with the same flannel her daughter had just used. When she got to the hospital, the Dr + nurses said "Oh my, you have made a special effort to look good today". Not knowing what they meant she sort of laughed it off
It was only when she got home and was recalling the remarks to her daughter that the daughter said, "Oh Mum, thats the flannel I used to wash the glitter off my face that I was wearing last night"


true story,

[ojread2]

Wisewoman, FWIW I think you should have a good chat with the nurse before hand and explain how much pain you were in last time.

I have found that it depends on the type of speculum they use on me as to whether it is uncomfy or just plain embarrassing :). Metal ones are best because after you get over the shock of it being cold you realise the whole process is almost over - no seriously, metal ones are mush better. The one time the nurse used a plastic speculum it hurt like hell!

I used to ignore my reminders for a good few months until I called and made the appointment but with 3 out of 4 close female rellies having had cancerous cells removed (my mum and both of my sisters) I now make the appointment as soon as the card comes through - thankfully I am the only one who has been clear

That 20 seconds of embarrassment could save your life

Best wishes
ojx

[beryllium]

If you do decide to have this test. Make sure you are comfortable with either a nurse or a female doctor.

You don't have to have this test at all. It is your choice. They have to send out paper reminders. The rest is entirely your decision.

Do you need to know?

B.

[what..the?]

Why don't they offer home smear tests, for those who don't want a stranger fingering their parts. So they can do it themselves - if it was designed correctly or someone say a boy friend/ husband can do it and then it is put in a prepost envelope. A bit like they have for DNA these days. It could save lives when you consider all the women out there who don't go and won't admit it either.

[4GS]

what..the?
It's too complicated a proceadure for just anyone to carry out.

[cheries]

Ok wisewomen.
Can I suggest that you live up to your username here?
I was treated for Cervical Cancer seven years ago and I never want anyone to go through what I went through. I hid away from my smear tests and pretended that I'd not had letters through about them. I started having pains so I went to my doctors, and when I got the results of the eventual smear he referred me the same day to the Jessops Hospital for women in Sheffers.
I had to have a colposcopy and hot wire loop treatment to clear the affected area, and I'll never forget seeing the pictures on the monitor as the affected area became visible from the solution they put inside me.
If I ever get pregnant then I've got to have a stitch put in my cervix because I had a cone biopsy and I now have an incompetent cervix, which means I might miscarry if I don't get help from the hospital.
Please, I am begging you, go and have a smear and prevent this from happening to you sweetheart.

[beryllium]

Alas, in Kent... where they're currently killing off their bed patients with C-Diff....

They really really screwed up with the smear tests aswell.... many many women died. Cases are still ongoing.

So you also have to trust that they know what they're doing...

[wisewomen]

Thanks for all your answer I really appreciate your advise.

Can you still have the smear done if your pregnant or think you might be?

I've been a bit naughty since my last period (had lots of things going on) and missed a couple of my pills. I think the chances of me being pregnant are slim as I have been good up until now for the last 10 years!!!!

[beryllium]

lol... you really will do anything to get out of it eh???... and no, they don't do smears during pregnancy....

[Psychick]

I used to ignore reminders then when I finally did have one, the results came back abnormal. It scared the life out of me. Luckily 6 months later, I had a normal one but it was enough to make me think what if I had left it and it was serious?

[gina32]

every woman between the ages of 25-65 who is registered with a doctor will get invited for a smear but that doesnt mean that you dont have to have them before that age. if you are someone who has sex on a regular basis at a younger age you have a higher chance of something wrong. its a well know fact that it is very rare for a nun to have that kind of cancer. bite the bullet and go, it will be over in minutes and could save your life. it did mine

[wisewomen]

So what happens if you are trying to get pregnant, do they then test you first before doing the smear?

[Psychick]

Sorry beryllium but I dont think you can base everyones smear results on one hospitals mistakes. Yes there is one hospital in Kent with a crisis right now, but that wouldnt even affect smear results as she doesnt have to go in to hospital to have it done plus she may not even live in Kent. I do. And despite problems with results in the past at certain places, I will always have mine done when its due.

[bigmamma]

Hello , please can you at least go to the nurse for your smear and then she will know then if you can carry on and have it there and then . Sorry , but I am very keen to advise you to get your smears when they are due . All 3 of my sisters were noted to have cervical cancer and while 2 of them had it completly removed my eldest sisters was too late and she is no longer with us.

[ojread2]

You can have a smear during pregnancy or when trying to get pregnant - bite the bullet and go now asap?

You really will feel better for having it done afterwards

oj

[natalie_1982]

4gs - I got that story on an email fwd, you cheeky mare.

Wisewoman, brave t out and go. Once it is done you shouldn't have to go again for another four years! I have had them since I was 16 (24 now) and only one came back abnormal, which wasn't a problem, i went back and had another test which was fine. It really is something that could save your life, and is so routine. Speak to the nurse / doctor about your concerns - mine chatted to me all the way through mine, which kind of really annoyed me, when somebody is goal end with something that feels like a javellin up there, the last thing I want to do is talk about where I am going on my hols this year!

[beryllium]

Psychick.

My point is you have to trust that all staff know what they're doing, from point of taking the test to pathology (that would be where the hospital comes in Psychick)
Perhaps where you live? your gp/nurse looks immediately at it under a microscope??? but I doubt that.
and the mentioning of C-Diff, I grant you.... is nothing to do with smear tests. But I wasn't putting those together lol

Natalie. 4GS is a bloke and always brings that very very very old rubbish into any female thread discussing this subject.

[WendyS]

Please don't ignore your smear test. We are so fortunate in this country being able to have one free of charge. Cervical cancer is a horrible disease and a few moments of discomfort or embarrassment are worth putting up with if one day it may save your life.

[homerbart]

got 3-5 smear tests in my day - I am in 40-50 bracket. age-ways Anyway first one my doctor decided to do one in a hurried way and cos I was stressed she forced the spatula thing in with no result. She then said to me I need to give you a sanitary towel i said why she said you are bleeding i say i dont have my period yea but I ripped you a bit. Next time I went to a male who was absolutely wonderful but that first experience has put me off and I still cant get them done without a lot of pain. Three different nurses tried to do them on me within 5 minutes with no result as I obviously must close myself up. I feel I need to be slightly sedated next time (if ever there is one).