Cervical Cancer Prevention Week 22-28 January 2012

caeler

Torry_Quine wrote: »

Ironically I got my reminder letter in this week so will make my appointment next week. I've had smears every 3 years since I was 25 when I became sexually active (I got married!). They are done here from 20 - 60 and just wondered if those areas where they don't start till age 25 also go on longer?

I think you might be in Scotland with screening aged 20-60, whereas in England, Wales and NI, screening continues until 64 but starts later in some cases.

This guidance note explains the age range: http://www.jostrust.org.uk/links/Downloads-to-download/Factsheet_Cervical_Screening.pdf

Torry_Quine

caeler wrote: »

I think you might be in Scotland with screening aged 20-60, whereas in England, Wales and NI, screening continues until 64 but starts later in some cases.

This guidance note explains the age range: http://www.jostrust.org.uk/links/Downloads-to-download/Factsheet_Cervical_Screening.pdf

Thanks for that, yes I'm in Scotland. I see that although in the rest of the UK screening continues until 64 once you hit 50 in England and N. Ireland it's only every 5 years.

langold

my letter came today all clear thank god, had the test on monday no discomfort no pain over in 30 seconds

langold

Stephb1986 wrote: »

I turned 25 in August since then I've had a weekly letter from my doctors about a smear test, I don't think it's the actual procedure that's putting me off going or another woman seeing my bits she has one too, I think it's more the fear of if there is something wrong and I know it's stupid to keep putting it off like it but I have enough to deal with at the moment without worrying about something like that. But I think I will ring my doctors this week and book a smear test I don't want to end up like jade goody.

Steph xx

hi steph i have only just turned 25 i got the letter a month beofre my birthday but nearly 2 months on i have only just had the smear, i was nervous but it was quick and i didnt feel a thing , i feel better for doing it and now my results came today and its all clear, i know its easier said than done but go for it:)

iloveboots

nickyhutch wrote: »

Most people who have smears don't go on to develop cancer; those who don't have smears are more likely to do so.

Hi,

Just wanted to add to the above comment.

I was diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2008, it had spread to far for surgery and I needed lots of Chemo/Radiation. I had NEVER missed a smear test since the age of 20 (live in Wales) and I had NEVER had a smear test come back with abnormal cells, my last test before diagnosis was 2 years and still I got cancer and was told that it normally takes 10 years to get to the stage that I was !!!!!!!

I guess I was just very unlucky but nickyhutch comment about most people who have smears don't go on to develop cancer, is not correct. (don't mean to be rude nickyhutch) I am a member of Jo's Trust Cervical Cancer Charity and it is surprising how many ladies on there who have never missed smears have still gone on to get cancer...........sometimes they make mistakes.

I am now 3 years in remission and having a great life.

Well done to the OP for highlighting this subject on Prevention Week.

caeler

Hi Iloveboots: Most women don't go on to develop cervical cancer but you and I are a minority (really horribly unlucky perhaps!) and when a minority of women congregate on Jo's Trust it seems like a majority of women, but thankfully it's not. I think you highlight why cervical cancer can be really serious and why we need to be so much more aware. Congratulations on your 3 years remission! xxx

caeler

PS iloveboots - I love your signature. So very true.

durham_girl

There is a petition on the government website to try and get the screening age lowered back to 20 instead of 25. Anybody who would like to sign it can do so here

I was in one of the last batches to get it done at 20 and was told that I had CIN3 changes and had to have LLETZ treatment to remove the infected cells. This was my first ever smear, if I'd had to wait an extra 5 years the nurse I spoke to at the 6 month check up said there was a good chance I would have developed cervical cancer.

Torry_Quine

Have signed.

claire16c

iloveboots wrote: »

nickyhutch wrote: »

Most people who have smears don't go on to develop cancer; those who don't have smears are more likely to do so.

Hi,

Just wanted to add to the above comment.

I was diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2008, it had spread to far for surgery and I needed lots of Chemo/Radiation. I had NEVER missed a smear test since the age of 20 (live in Wales) and I had NEVER had a smear test come back with abnormal cells, my last test before diagnosis was 2 years and still I got cancer and was told that it normally takes 10 years to get to the stage that I was !!!!!!!

I guess I was just very unlucky but nickyhutch comment about most people who have smears don't go on to develop cancer, is not correct. (don't mean to be rude nickyhutch) I am a member of Jo's Trust Cervical Cancer Charity and it is surprising how many ladies on there who have never missed smears have still gone on to get cancer...........sometimes they make mistakes.

I am now 3 years in remission and having a great life.

Well done to the OP for highlighting this subject on Prevention Week.

I think nickyhutch means that for all the women who get a smear test, most wont get cervical cancer (in part because theyve been checked and of course in part because they didnt have it anyway). this is right. Otherwise if she was wrong, it would mean most women in general get cervical cancer, which is not true!