Cervical Cancer Prevention Week 22-28 January 2012

caeler

KxMx wrote: »

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

I think your supposed to get a letter to invite you to book an appointment with your GP/Nurse shortly before (the NHS probably say 'during your 25th year' so they don't miss their target!). I suppose you could always call your surgery and ask? **but I'd totally understand your reluctance with your past experience** Good luck.

tinktinktinkerbell

i wish i could have the jab but im 30

that said im a virgin so my chance is small

kingfisherblue

Bumping this thread as it is so important. In my area (and most areas, from what I understand), women are not entitled, or even offered, a smear test until they are 25. A young woman from my town died a couple of years ago, at 23 years old, from cervical cancer.

http://www.sthelensstar.co.uk/news/4570581.Courageous_mum_dies_on_day_she_makes_cervical_cancer_plea/

Such a simple, if undignified test, yet it is not generally available to younger women.

For those who are old enough, please do get a test. You may regret it otherwise.

mountainofdebt

well twice now I've had to go to the hospital for further tests having had abnormal results from smears.

In my experience they don't send you to the hospital on your first abnormal result - you have another smear 6 months after the abnormal one and only if that one is abnormal do you get sent to hospital.

as far as I'm concerned, once you've had children, nothing in that region is a secret anymore ....and smears / the further investigations don't phase me (in fact when I went last time I was asked if I wanted to see what was going on - didn't take the doctor up on her offer though:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:)

caeler

More about Mercedes Curnow who died at 23 years old because she wasn't entitled to smear tests: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2085772/Woman-23-died-cervical-cancer-doctors-said-young-smear-test.html Did we learn nothing from Jade Goody. :-(

fannyanna

mountainofdebt wrote: »

In my experience they don't send you to the hospital on your first abnormal result - you have another smear 6 months after the abnormal one and only if that one is abnormal do you get sent to hospital.

It depends on the severity of the abnormality.

I had my very first smear last year. The results came back abnormal and I was sent to the hospital to the colposcopy clinic. The results of a further biopsy showed I had CIN 2 (basically pre-cancerous cells) and I had to have LLETZ treatment to remove the cells. The removed cells were then analysed and it confirmed that I actually had CIN 3. I now have a 6 month check up in a few months.

So basically, even if it's your first smear if there's a need for treatment they will do it.

totheleft

I'm 26 and asked for a smear test but my GP said I don't need one as I am a virgin.

Is this true? I don't understand how being a virgin stops it from happening. I'm still worried but I think I'm being stupid as I should trust the GP.

caeler

totheleft wrote: »

I'm 26 and asked for a smear test but my GP said I don't need one as I am a virgin.

Is this true? I don't understand how being a virgin stops it from happening. I'm still worried but I think I'm being stupid as I should trust the GP.

Hi totheleft - I'm posting a link from cancer research for you to read: http://cancerhelp.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/cancer-questions/cervical-cancer-in-virgins

A study in the 50's of 13,000 nuns found no cases of cervical cancer but is unknown if remaining a virgin is complete protection. I would push your GP into letting you have a smear, at least so it puts your mind at rest.

caeler

fannyanna wrote: »

I had to have LLETZ treatment to remove the cells. The removed cells were then analysed and it confirmed that I actually had CIN 3. I now have a 6 month check up in a few months.

Hi fannyanna - thank you for sharing your experience. If your in need for support have you been in touch with Jo's Trust? http://www.jostrust.org.uk They are a cervical cancer charity.

totheleft

caeler wrote: »

Hi OP - I'm posting a link from cancer research for you to read: http://cancerhelp.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/cancer-questions/cervical-cancer-in-virgins

A study in the 50's of 13,000 nuns found no cases of cervical cancer but is unknown if remaining a virgin is complete protection. I would push your GP into letting you have a smear, at least so it puts your mind at rest.

I was told the HPV virus is caught from men, is this true?

My GP refused to give me one as I am not sexually active but as soon as I have sex once, I should get one. I'm abit worried to have a test done to be honest, considering everything is intact if you get what I mean