smear test

bluebeary

ive never had a problem with the nhs or any of their services, if I thought a nurse dint know what she was doing with regard to my cervix I would tell her to stop and go and find someone who did

I think bad experiences are being highlighted but seriously in the minority

I was reading a report online earlier concerning women who had never had a smear test and some of the reasons where shocking, one even stating she dint think it would happen to her so there was no need, good luck with that then, better safe than sorry

I think its good to read others experiences be they good or bad but important to have a mind of your own too, I'm glad this thread has had 222 views, I hope ive given them something to think about if they don't have smears or think it wont happen to them

greenbee

Plenty of people seem to think smears and mammograms are going to be terrible experiences. But the stories that put them off are a bit like childbirth stories...

Last time I went for a mammogram the radiographer told me one woman was told by a friend that it was 'like lying down on the ground and having your boobs run over by a car'. Which isn't helpful. Or true (well, I've never had my boobs run over by a car, but I've had plenty of mammograms (I'm in my early 40s BTW).

As for smears - last time I went the nurse explained that she'd just finished training and this was her first unsupervised smear. As I happen to know exactly where my cervix is (it is high up, slightly to one side and slightly tilted) I was at least able to help her locate it. It took a bit longer than normal but was by no means painful. I have had clumsily done smears in the past, but they certainly weren't enough to put me off having them done - particularly as a potential issue was picked up during a smear (not as part of the screening.

As for private v. NHS - my consultant transferred me from private to NHS when the results of a minor investigatory operation turned up something much more complicated. He said he could continue to treat me privately, but would be much happier in the circumstances treating me in the NHS. I've had 5 years of treatment and am incredibly grateful for every single bit of it.

Tigsteroonie

bluebeary wrote: »

the advance in testing since I first had one done less than twenty years ago is astounding

So what has actually changed?

Being one of those women who dodge the reminders because of horrific experiences in the past with both 'huge metal implements' and even the subsequent not-quite-as-large plastic implements ... I'd be interested to know what they've done that has so improved the procedure.

(Yes, I do know the risk, so don't lecture.)

Upsidedown_Bear

heuchera wrote: »

But I can't believe your comment about pressuring women being part of a good service :eek: Surely it must be the patient's own decision. My friend won't even go to the doctor about other matters because she's terrified about being harrassed to have a smear. How on earth is that meant to be good for the patient

I agree - it is the patient's own decision.

I was just like your friend. Next time she gets a letter about going for a smear test tell her to write back to them and say she doesn't want any further letters being sent. Copy the letter to her GP and ask the GP to note it on her file.
I got a letter back saying I needed to sign their form (not sure why my letter wasn't good enough) which I did. Sent it back and I have had no more letters.
Wish I had written that letter a lot sooner.

System

Upsidedown_Bear wrote: »

I agree - it is the patient's own decision.

I was just like your friend. Next time she gets a letter about going for a smear test tell her to write back to them and say she doesn't want any further letters being sent. Copy the letter to her GP and ask the GP to note it on her file.
I got a letter back saying I needed to sign their form (not sure why my letter wasn't good enough) which I did. Sent it back and I have had no more letters.
Wish I had written that letter a lot sooner.

Yes, it is possible to be removed from the screening list. Not that they tell people this! I imagine it would be the same for mammograms.

I also agree it must be the patient's own decision. Opinions aside, it is a human right to decide which tests and procedures get carried out on one's own body, and to be able to refuse those procedures if one so wishes. They are sailing pretty close to the wind if, as detailed above, they are booking mammogram appointments without first asking the patient, or (as in some cases) forcing women to have smears when they join a new doctors surgery.

I would think a tick-box would be all that is required. Tick Yes for reminders, No if you don't wish to receive this correspondence.

Armchair23

I'd suggest the people who think a smear test is an optional extra are the ones who haven't died from cervical cancer.
Those that have aren't here to give an opinion.

bluebeary

I was actually watching a discussion between Nicola sturgeon and her counterparts in the Scottish parliament yesterday about how the snp aren't doing enough to decrease the numbers of people dying of cancer etc and the amount of treatment the rich get and lack of treatment the poor get but its not about money, even less about politics, its about educating ordinary people, dispelling myths and concerns about treatment

smear tests are free

with regard to how treatment has changed, for a start the nurses are not just trained to use implements better and the implements are a hell of a lot better and smaller, their trained in the anatomy of the cervix as the understanding of it has increased but most importantly, how to talk to patients and put their minds at ease during the procedure also

this applies to other procedures for other ailments and conditions also

I'm proud of our nhs, it does make mistakes from time to time but its the best health care service in the world and not to be rivalled

heartbreak_star

I suspect those who don't have a smear test would still expect treatment if they got cervical cancer though?

HBS x

Torry_Quine

I think that it has to be a personal choice although personally I can't understand why without a very good reason someone wouldn't take up the offer of free screening.

tomtontom

Torry_Quine wrote: »

I think that it has to be a personal choice although personally I can't understand why without a very good reason someone wouldn't take up the offer of free screening.

I agree re it being personal choice, but I can't imagine any reason why someone would refuse. It may be painful for some (a minority) but the procedure takes less time than it takes to get your knickers off - surely more preferable than the alternative