Smear Test - should the speculum be sterile?

beks

I do agree that it is a shame that smears start at 25, even if that is what is recommended. Having read all the facts over and over, I do understand why they don't but Like shelley_crow, I think it is still scary that the very small percentage can still develop cancer under the age of 25 yet are not screened.
If I send a smear sample off on a girl under 25 then it will not be processed by the lab (well having said that I once did a 23 year old and hers was done). Therefore I have to refuse anyone under 25 as they will just go through it for no reason. It is recommended that anyone who is concerned speaks to their GP and can then get referred to gynae if the GP thinks there is reason. As a nurse I can totally understand your concerns, if I was allowed, I would be doing them.

BeenieCat

So is there no truth in it when we're told we should be having regular smears after we've had our first child?

Or even, when we become sexually active?

(btw thanks for posting the response shelley, it's certainly interesting)

beks

BeenieCat wrote: »

So is there no truth in it when we're told we should be having regular smears after we've had our first child?

Or even, when we become sexually active?

(btw thanks for posting the response shelley, it's certainly interesting)

After first child, no but it is to do with being sexually active, yes. All to do with the HPV virus (hence why girls being vaccinated). In 10 years time, I wouldnt be worried about the under 25s as the majority will have been vaccinated but ATM, this is obviously not the case. However, cervical cancer is slow growing (usually) and takes years to develop (hence 25). Also, at under 25, you get a lot of false positives (cant remember reason off top of my head) and girls would go through unnecessary treatment. The main problem being for me though is that there are not usually symptoms so you just wouldnt know. Frustrating because England has the highest threshold in Europe (I think but dont quote me on that).

ymakesmile

beks wrote: »

If I send a smear sample off on a girl under 25 then it will not be processed by the lab (well having said that I once did a 23 year old and hers was done). Therefore I have to refuse anyone under 25 as they will just go through it for no reason. It is recommended that anyone who is concerned speaks to their GP and can then get referred to gynae if the GP thinks there is reason. As a nurse I can totally understand your concerns, if I was allowed, I would be doing them.

I have to say the receptionist at my doctors surgery told me this when I tried to get a smear done earlier this year and I thought she was fobbing me off, so I feel a tad better to find out that wasn't the case. I just had my first smear done last week, 3 weeks before I turn 25 but I booked my appointment as soon as my invitation arrived!

zzzLazyDaisy

Out of interest, does anyone know how much it costs to have a smear test done privately? I didn't know all this, but I do know that one of my dearest friends got cervical cancer when she was 22. Fortunately it was before these daft rules and she is still with us. If I had a daughter, who was sexually active, I'd pay to have the test done privately, if it was possible.

beks

Its about £80 (I think - I seem to remember someone telling me that although cannot be 100% sure sorry)!!!

Janepig

When I had my first smear, which was about 20 years ago now when I was <cough> 16 (obviously things have changed :rolleyes::D), the doctor who did it had a big metal bowl full of fluid with the metal speculums floating around. Because I'm short she started fishing around for the smallest one, then when she'd finished the whole nasty business she said "you were bigger than I thought"!!! I nearly died. Foof like a bucket, me, obviously!!:rotfl::rotfl:

Jxx

beks

Janepig wrote: »

When I had my first smear, which was about 20 years ago now when I was <cough> 16 (obviously things have changed :rolleyes::D), the doctor who did it had a big metal bowl full of fluid with the metal speculums floating around. Because I'm short she started fishing around for the smallest one, then when she'd finished the whole nasty business she said "you were bigger than I thought"!!! I nearly died. Foof like a bucket, me, obviously!!:rotfl::rotfl:

Jxx

Sorry but I nearly fell off my chair laughing :rotfl:!!!!

tandraig

this thread about such a serious subject is so funny!!! I am def going to ask for speculum to be warmed up in future! seriously - about ten years ago my practice nurse noticed blood on the smear and asked me to come back - it wasnt due to period - I had lesions on the cervix. referred to gynae at city hospital and on further investigation endometriosis was diagnosed. (and i had wasted years telling unsympathetic gps i had hell during periods and just being told to take painkillers, hottie bottles etc). also i had ulcers on the cervix. I had a small op to deal with the ulcers then a thermal ablation was suggested for the endometriosis. I was fine with that as the registrar said i would be under general anaesthitic.......I dont want to go into too much detail......but the gynae surgeon idiot decided to do it under NO anaesthetic!!! apparently I could be heard all over the theatre level! and the anaesthetistic quickly knocked me out. so - bit off subject - the smear test identified a problem was taken care of but - I would definately NOT have a thermal ablation except under a general anaesthesia.

beks

tandraig wrote: »

this thread about such a serious subject is so funny!!! I am def going to ask for speculum to be warmed up in future! seriously - about ten years ago my practice nurse noticed blood on the smear and asked me to come back - it wasnt due to period - I had lesions on the cervix. referred to gynae at city hospital and on further investigation endometriosis was diagnosed. (and i had wasted years telling unsympathetic gps i had hell during periods and just being told to take painkillers, hottie bottles etc). also i had ulcers on the cervix. I had a small op to deal with the ulcers then a thermal ablation was suggested for the endometriosis. I was fine with that as the registrar said i would be under general anaesthitic.......I dont want to go into too much detail......but the gynae surgeon idiot decided to do it under NO anaesthetic!!! apparently I could be heard all over the theatre level! and the anaesthetistic quickly knocked me out. so - bit off subject - the smear test identified a problem was taken care of but - I would definately NOT have a thermal ablation except under a general anaesthesia.

Awww, poor you. That must have been a horrendous experience for you to go through after suffering for all that time too. Glad it hasnt put you off having smears and the like. And yes, request for them to run it under warm water in the future (even more important if its metal), it is much kinder. I agree it is such a serious subject and one that some ladies really find very difficult so I hope people are not put off by this thread. I think if anyone has concerns they should speak to their nurse or GP who will be more than happy to put them at ease. Smears are normally straightforward and although uncomfortable, they are over fairly quickly. It is so important to have it done regularly.