Delete thread please!

marisco_2

I have recieved plenty of letters over the years offering me the chance to have a smear test. None of them have ordered me to go and I know they are optional.

Personally I think the benefits of keeping a regular check on my health far outweighs the miniscule discomfort and time that it takes to have a smear test done.

If you dont want to go then just ignore the letters OP.

Valli

bumbledore wrote: »

I am talking about smear testing under 25s.

Smear testing is a rare cancer for women I am not dismissing smear tests on a whole but for those in my position of being under 25 who are at low risk. I don't appreciate how the fellow women on this thread are being hostile and wishing death or cancer on me or calling me names simply because I have choosen to make an informed decision about my personal health and was looking to have a discussion about it.

Thing is, OP you, and you alone, are privy to the information which lead to your decision not to be tested.

We cannot have an informed discussion with you because, as far as your reasons and/or circumstances go we haven't got a clue.

I for one am having to base my arguments on what I know - other than anything directly pertinent to your circumstances - so I know, and have discussed the risk factors; I know that once the HPV immunisation take up is high enough and has been going on for long enough there may well be decisions made as to who is offered tests - but you have steadfastly refused to explain or engage with any of this, just continually complained that you think you're too young.

If you want a discussion throw us a bone, please!

Because, until you do you're coming across with about as much validity, and are appearing about as rational, as Violet Elizabeth Bott.

We know YOU don't want a smear test. We've told you you don't have to have one.

Unless you can come up with actual arguments and evidence, and a reasoned discussion/suggestion why 20 is too young and/or smear tests are not necessary though, please don't try to suggest that anyone else shouldn't have to have one.

Age isn't actually the issue here; sexual activity is. A point you have steadfastly ignored.

Valli

bumbledore wrote: »

Do you think I'm basing my opinion on one article?

Regardless as a new poster I can't post links but for those that are interested the GP who wrote the article has a blog that might be of interest to other posters, google.

We haven't a clue. You've not told us.

You could give the name of the GP; you could give the major part of the url which would help.

Or you could just send us out a whole batch of crystal balls...

securityguy

Valli wrote: »

We haven't a clue. You've not told us.

You could give the name of the GP; you could give the major part of the url which would help.

Or you could just send us out a whole batch of crystal balls...

She's presumably referring to Margaret McCartney, a Scottish GP. Her blog entry explaining why (as a woman in, at a guess, her late thirties) she doesn't have smears is here: http://www.margaretmccartney.com/blog/?p=1366

She's pretty hot on evidence-based medicine and issues of consent.

Valli

securityguy wrote: »

She's presumably referring to Margaret McCartney, a Scottish GP. Her blog entry explaining why (as a woman in, at a guess, her late thirties) she doesn't have smears is here: http://www.margaretmccartney.com/blog/?p=1366

She's pretty hot on evidence-based medicine and issues of consent.

Thank you for this.


Well; I've read it. While I accept her reasons not to have smear tests done, and the rationale referring to number of smears v deaths prevented I am concerned, that, in her blog, she makes no reference to a persons sexual behaviour increasing the risk of cancer or to the HPV virus; she appears to have made her decision purely on numbers; her decision doesn't appear to be evidence-based!

claire16c

LannieDuck wrote: »

It's not wrong 99% of the time. It's wrong 10% of the time.

Given 10,000 people, your scenario will include 10 actual cases of actual cancer.

90% of the diagnoses will be correct:
* 9 cases will be correctly identified
* 8,991 people will be correctly cleared

10% of the diagnoses will be incorrect:
* 1 actual cases will be missed
* 999 people will be told they have cancer when they don't

The question is whether it's worth misdiagnosing 999 people in order to properly diagnose 9/10 cases of cancer. As you say, it depends on what the next step is.

The next step is often a repeat smear. It's not like they wheel you in for a removal of everything the following day!

paulineb_2

I had a smear a couple of months back, after a long period of not having one. Way too long. And everything was ok.

No one forces people to go for smears. People under 25 are dying. Its your choice to go or not to go. But if I hadnt got a clear smear the last time Id have been absolutely blaming myself and no one else for not going for a smear sooner.

It takes ten minutes out of your life. Its worth doing and I will be going for my next smear test on time.

valk_scot

lostinrates wrote: »

Fwiw, it has occurred to me that for women doing this for the first time or those who are really embarrassed or nervous it is worth running through things that help those who are embarrassed. My friend ( a fragrant professional with few hang ups, confessed in an email today she won't consider wearing trousers on smear day because she is worried the area might 'sweat' and be not at its least odiferous. I think it's quite funny, but if it makes her feel confident then its perfectly valid.

I hardly ever wear skirts normally but I have one flared, flowing, voluminous skirt that I wear whenever I have to go for anything gyne related. It's much less embarrassing to be able to just hitch up a loose skirt when you get up onto the exam couch, it covers you down to your navel and you feel far less exposed than with say just a t-shirt and a paper towel covering you below the waist. Soon as it's done you can pull your skirt down over your knees again and hop down to put your knickers back on. Much more modest than having to peel off everything from the waist down.

I also take a panty pad or thin press on towel to use after. That KY jelly is drippy stuff!

Go to the loo before you go in to see the nurse. A full bladder does not help relax you.

And in addition to the flop-your-knees-out-and-relax thing, breathe out when the nurse puts the speculum in. Breathing in is more likely to make you tense up down there. Don't put your hands above your head or behind your neck, that also can make you tense. Clutching the edge of the couch in a death grip is not recommended either! Best place is clasping your hands lightly across your waist.

Our FP clinic has a giant arial map of the city pinned up on the ceiling above their exam couch, It's brilliant for taking your mind off things. By the time you'd found your street the smear was long finished.

jellyhead

I'm one of the few women who find it painful and uncomfortable. My cervix is tilted, so I don't know if that makes it more likely to be uncomfortable or if I'm just a wimp.

Anyway, last time I went my GP told me tilt my chin down, so I was looking at my chest. Apparently that relaxes whichever muscles I was tensing. I also find it helpful to have a large ring or bracelet or something for my hands to fiddle with rather than gripping the couch.

I'm another who takes a pad to wear afterwards, as I always bleed. My GP told me I could take ibprofen an hour beforehand too, to help with pain. I know it's not meant to hurt, and most women barely notice, but it hurts me.

Obviously it hurts less than colposcopy and treatment, they gave me valium to relax me for that. I asked the GP beforehand. She gives it to me when I'm going to have a coil inserted too.

jellyhead

valk_scot wrote: »

Our FP clinic has a giant arial map of the city pinned up on the ceiling above their exam couch, It's brilliant for taking your mind off things. By the time you'd found your street the smear was long finished.

My dentist has a giant 'where's wally' poster on the ceiling