Delete thread please!

Torry_Quine

I like many others find it strange that anyone who is or has been sexually active would not go for a smear test without a very good reason.

ineed

I haven't had a smear test yet, I live in England and am 25 but due to ill health I'm unable to go, as I'm very low risk and have no obvious problems I don't mind waiting due to circumstance. But I can't see the problem with being offered one, I mean I just ignored the initial letter. They sent a follow up but I haven't heard anything since that. They can't force you to do any medical procedure (unless under certain extreme circumstances of course).

there's been articles in newspapers I've read for and against screening over the years (randomly found via google, old article against, and a newer one for). Ultimately it's up to the individual, personally when I'm able I'm going to have it, it's a discomfort I'm willing to put up with for my peace of mind.

Gigervamp

I kept forgetting to book a smear appointment, so my cancer wasn't discovered until I was in A&E having suffered kidney failure.

I have stage M3 cervical cancer. They couldn't operate as it was quite extensive, having grown around my bladder, rectum, womb and blocked my kidneys.

I've had radiotherapy and chemo which the cancer has responded to, so now they're talking about operating, but they said it would be a bit more than a hysterectomy. I'm still waiting to hear if they're going to do the surgery.

My kidneys are still bad. I had stents put in, but recently I was back in hospital after a stent got blocked and my kidney got infected.
I now have a tube coming out of my back which drains the kidney into external bags.

It's not much fun.

Go and have a smear test.

Downsizing__for_sanity

As the OP says, she has " ignored" the letters. As far as I know, (and I am a medical student attached to a GP surgery) GP surgeries in Scotland get some of their budget for meeting targets, i.e. for having X percentage of eligible patients in date for smears etc. Therefore they have to keep on sending letters to encourage patients to come and have these types of screening tests to get the full budget available to them. (Human nature I suppose - we are not all good at doing these things straight away!)

If the OP is dissatisfied the best thing to do would be to contact the surgery and explain her rationale. They will a) be able to stop "pestering" her with letters and b) successfully mark their target and still get that proportion of the funding as they have done all they can to get the patient to attend. Both parties should be content. The problem is when one doesn't communicate adequately.

Oh and by the way, nuns have the lowest rates of cervical cancer going.

Valli

Downsizing__for_sanity wrote: »

Oh and by the way, nuns have the lowest rates of cervical cancer going.

But I bet the rate isn't zero%

Quasar

ineed wrote: »

I haven't had a smear test yet, I live in England and am 25 but due to ill health I'm unable to go, as I'm very low risk and have no obvious problems I don't mind waiting due to circumstance. But I can't see the problem with being offered one, I mean I just ignored the initial letter. They sent a follow up but I haven't heard anything since that. They can't force you to do any medical procedure (unless under certain extreme circumstances of course).

there's been articles in newspapers I've read for and against screening over the years (randomly found via google, old article against, and a newer one for). Ultimately it's up to the individual, personally when I'm able I'm going to have it, it's a discomfort I'm willing to put up with for my peace of mind.

It's not even that uncomfortable actually, and MUCH less uncomfortable than brachytherapy, which will be applied for cervical and/or endometrial cancer as adjuvant therapy. This is a tube inserted erm, up there, with a radioactive pellet to target the vaginal vault. Minimum dose: two sessions. Advanced cases may need more.

That, plus general pelvic radiotherapy with its brutal effects on the bowels for several weeks. Then there is chemotherapy, which is a horrible thing to have and fortunately I did not need.

A poxy little smear test is just a tickle, trust me.

newbutold

Having watched 2 close relatives die of Cancer in the past 2 years, makes me struggle to understand the OP's "problems".

Cancer, any cancer is horrendous and the earlier it is detected the great your chances of survival are. I struggle to understand why anybody would choose not to be tested, therefore I really struggle to understand why someone would chose to get cross about the offer of a test!

Seriously OP if that's all you have to vent about your a lucky lady!

Valli

Quasar wrote: »

A poxy little smear test is just a tickle, trust me.

I applaud you on your choice of word there, Q!:rotfl:

Torry_Quine

I was first offered one before I was sexually active so declined for that reason and was just told to get one when I was. There was no pressure put on me at all.

pink_princess

ineed wrote: »

I haven't had a smear test yet, I live in England and am 25 but due to ill health I'm unable to go, as I'm very low risk and have no obvious problems I don't mind waiting due to circumstance. But I can't see the problem with being offered one, I mean I just ignored the initial letter. They sent a follow up but I haven't heard anything since that. They can't force you to do any medical procedure (unless under certain extreme circumstances of course).

there's been articles in newspapers I've read for and against screening over the years (randomly found via google, old article against, and a newer one for). Ultimately it's up to the individual, personally when I'm able I'm going to have it, it's a discomfort I'm willing to put up with for my peace of mind.

You really should make yourself go.
I worry that my DD'S can't be tested until they are over 25. We have a family link.