Cervical Cancer Prevention Week 22-28 January 2012

caeler

Hi all

I wasn't sure where best to put this, but for those interested this link explains where you can get more information about how to support Cervical Cancer Prevention Week 2012.

http://www.jostrust.org.uk/get-involved/campaign/cervical-cancer-prevention-week

2800 women are diagnosed with Cervical Cancer ever year but thankfully it isn't more because of the UK's cancer screening programme.

Please give it a little bump from time to time so others get to see this. It is amazing how little in our society we discuss the point of smear tests and when you get referred for colposcopy and/or further treatment but we must speak about it!

Thank you.

KxMx

Yes, especially as the Government have left out a whole group of young women (myself included) who were slightly too old for the jab but years away from a smear.

Always important to raise awareness. My friend had a very nasty scare recently and it has certainly made me more aware of the dangers.

caeler

You are so right. My sister was too young for the jab but won't qualify for smear for another 2 years. It is still an amazing programme that we have in this country but more can be done. There is actually a reception at the House of Commons on 25 January 2012 so why not write to your MP urging them to go? http://www.jostrust.org.uk/get-involved/campaign/house-of-commons

geri1965_2

Just opened my smear test result - thankfully normal. As usual it was not a good experience for me and the nurse was unsure if she managed to get enough cells for a sample, so I am just relieved that I don't have to go back for a re-test.

I make myself go as I imagine the treatment for cancer would be a lot worse.

caeler

geri1965 wrote: »

Just opened my smear test result - thankfully normal. As usual it was not a good experience for me and the nurse was unsure if she managed to get enough cells for a sample, so I am just relieved that I don't have to go back for a re-test. I make myself go as I imagine the treatment for cancer would be a lot worse.

Well done for being brave. A smear test absolutely can prevent cancer. Cervical cancer is VERY slow growing. Abnormal pre-cancerous cells can be removed way before they ever become cancer but it relies on all women ages 25 to 65 going along for their smear tests. Even if you are referred for a Colposcopy (first step to confirm abnormal cells) it isn't that dignified (legs up in the air!) but you will get through it. Jo's Trust is an amazing charity that gives amazing support.

Person_one

You can still have the HPV jab if you are older, I had it at 24 and its licensed for use up to age 26. If your GP believes it may be worthwhile for you then they can prescribe it.

KxMx

Funny enough me & Mum were talking about smears the other night, she said in her little delicate voice "it's not very nice to have done".

Well after all I have had done to me in the last 2 years I was rather :rotfl:at that. A smear done by a female Nurse I know seems like a breeze compared to some of the other things I have been subjected to lol.

My friend who had the scare is the same age as me and been married for 6 years. She was having an unrelated problem looked into when they decided to do a smear as they were already down there.

I am not exaggerating when I say they saved her life- she had the letter to say the cells were abnormal (last stage before cancer) and she would be seen by a Gynae at the Hospital to discuss/look into things further, so she went and was examined and things were so dangerously close to cancer that she was given a procedure there and then and they pulled out a golf ball sized mass.

She had 0 symptoms and the problem they were looking into was not related.

I certainly think in this day in age the smear test age is too old and have already had words with my MP about it lol.

caeler

Person_one wrote: »

You can still have the HPV jab if you are older, I had it at 24 and its licensed for use up to age 26. If your GP believes it may be worthwhile for you then they can prescribe it.

I'm no expert but I believe the jab is only effective if the individual is not sexually active.

caeler

KxMx wrote: »

Funny enough me & Mum were talking about smears the other night, she said in her little delicate voice "it's not very nice to have done".

I had one by a female nurse and it was incredibly uncomfortable but then I had one with a gyne specialist and didn't even feel it!! I think it comes down to their experience.

KxMx wrote: »

I certainly think in this day in age the smear test age is too old and have already had words with my MP about it

I agree. I think it should be offered to anybody from the age they become sexually active. Incidentally I had smears ever 3 years from the age of 16 so it must be the local trusts decision?

Person_one

caeler wrote: »

I'm no expert but I believe the jab is only effective if the individual is not sexually active.

Not exactly.

If you are sexually active there is a good chance that you are already carrying the HPV virus that the vaccine protects against. However, its not a given by any means as its not universal, and if you've always practiced safe sex or not had many partners then its possibly still worth it just in case.

It does depend on your GP to some extent, mine at the time was a sexual health specialist and was very much in favour of the jab, having it if you already carry the virus doesn't do any harm, but it does an awful lot of good if you're not carrying it.

KxMx

caeler wrote: »

I had one by a female nurse and it was incredibly uncomfortable but then I had one with a gyne specialist and didn't even feel it!! I think it comes down to their experience.



I agree. I think it should be offered to anybody from the age they become sexually active. Incidentally I had smears ever 3 years from the age of 16 so it must be the local trusts decision?

lol, I assure you I am several stages past "uncomfortable" when it comes to medical tests so I have no worries. I did at the age of 8 in the USA have a rather invasive annual physical which means I am very sensitive about that area, but with the other medical procedures I have had I think that cancels it out... I known there are worse things out there and had them all done and survived lol...

It must vary depending on area as I am 25 soon and not yet been offered one. I get the chylamidia test offer letter on a regular basis though