smear tests

belfastgirl23

Actually when I think of it both my GP and the FP clinic ask every time I go in whether I'm up to date on smears. The FP clinic usually check the records themselves since I always get it done there so I've never had a reminder letter at all...

floss2

I have always had a letter from the hospital (Countess of Chester) that does the tests to give me the result & tell me when I'm next due to have one (3 yearly in North Cheshire HA area), but now i've moved, I've told my new GP when I'm due for 1, and they will remind me on their shiny new NHS system. However, I've got it in my phone too, just in case!

BTW, don't forget mammograms, anyone who falls into that group....not every HA will tell you when you are due to have your first one (at 50).

vixarooni

I wish there wasnt this whole speculation and confusion regarding smear tests. It seems like no one really knows when you should start going, how often you should go, what to expect or anything. Smear tests should be apart of sex education, telling you what you need to know.

Ive never had a letter to tell me to have one, so im presuming its when i hit 25 that i have to have one. Otherwise, no clue. Niether do any of my female friends.

sassi

I had an 'inconclusive smear' just after the birth of my son. had it repeated, it came back mild changes or CIN1...they have called me back every 6 months for a year and half- they all came back with same result - CIN1.
now due to go for coloscopy after latest smear cae back same cin1 - bit worried at what they might find. really nervous.

patchwork_cat

Bandrao1 - thank you for that ! very helpful not.

As I have said this is the first time I have ever left it so long that i am called. If I make an appointment myself for smear I get grief and unfortunately don't have a 3 /5 year diary to remind me.

I don't need to go to FP and haven't for YEARS as that is sorted.

Sassi best of luck. I am sure that as they are monitoring it and there has been no progression in 18 mths you will be fine.

After my children I didn't get automatic smears either - I was under the impression at the time they did them at 6 week check, but I had to make seperate appointments to get them done.

bandraoi

patchwork_cat wrote: »

Bandrao1 - thank you for that ! very helpful not.

As I have said this is the first time I have ever left it so long that i am called. If I make an appointment myself for smear I get grief and unfortunately don't have a 3 /5 year diary to remind me.

I don't need to go to FP and haven't for YEARS as that is sorted.

Sassi best of luck. I am sure that as they are monitoring it and there has been no progression in 18 mths you will be fine.

After my children I didn't get automatic smears either - I was under the impression at the time they did them at 6 week check, but I had to make seperate appointments to get them done.

It wasn't directed at you, it was directed at everyone really. People around here take things far too personally.

I only got around to getting my smear done recently (a year and a half late) but I take responsibility for that.

If you buy a car, you read up a bit and learn what to look out for so you know when to get the experts in to fix it. When it goes wrong you bring it to the mechanics. You learn it needs a service at 10,000 miles or every year, and if you forget, you don't blame the mechanic for forgetting to remind you, you blame yourself.

Your body and maintenance visits to health practitioners should be treated the same way. We're all old enough to find out what basic maintenance our bodies need and make sure we get it by going and seeking it out as and when necessary.

People regularly complain about the waste of money in the NHS, yet they also complain when staff time and financial resources aren't used to remind them to make simple appointments they should have made themselves.

newbie71_2

sassi wrote: »

I had an 'inconclusive smear' just after the birth of my son. had it repeated, it came back mild changes or CIN1...they have called me back every 6 months for a year and half- they all came back with same result - CIN1.
now due to go for coloscopy after latest smear cae back same cin1 - bit worried at what they might find. really nervous.

Sassi I had a smear with CIN2/borderline 3 a couple of years ago and went for colposcopy. I know how nervous you will be. Mine came back all clear and my smears have been clear since and hopefully will remain so. If you want any more info then please feel free to pm me. xx

Penny-Pincher!!

Hi

Its quite difficult getting to my GP surgery and am long overdue a smear. I have a community nurse come out to me for other stuff and was wondering if they are able to do the smears at my home

PP
xx

newbie71_2

vixarooni wrote: »

I wish there wasnt this whole speculation and confusion regarding smear tests. It seems like no one really knows when you should start going, how often you should go, what to expect or anything. Smear tests should be apart of sex education, telling you what you need to know.

Well said! :T There's really very info given I think about the tests - how accurate the results are, what the results actually mean (as opposed to the terms used and then you google those terms and scare yourself silly as all you get are the cancer websites!) etc. etc. Just get your knickers off and make polite chit chat with the nurse while she rummages around in your nether regions with that bloody freezing uncomfy bit of metal! More info about the tests from a much younger age would be great.

Ahhh the joys of being a woman eh?!! :rolleyes:

patchwork_cat

Bandraoi how did your comment help me with my original statement? You may have been late getting your smear done - my point is I am not late it is not 5 years yet. I am not 18 months late .

My point is that they should have had a rolling programme of bringing in all those peole with original 5 year recalls to 3, not just letting them come around.

It is ridiculous that if you had a smear in 05, you would be recalled this year along with people who had a smear in 03. That is a two tier system. In the space of time that I have had 1 smear people with no more risk than myself will have had nearly 2.

That is not the one tier system we are supposed !!! to have is it?

I feel humbled by the people that have posted who have a problem and feel -'you silly cow why are you het up!'

It is because they obviously felt that there would be health benefits in reducing recall times in 2005, just not enough to put themselves out and start it immediately. How many lives have been put at risk?

BAndroi - you would do well to read newbie71's post. When I had my last smear I was on a 5 year recall - that has changed, but short of checking latest guidance on everything every couple of months how am I supposed to know.

As a Doctor's daughter I have a VERY proactive attitude to my health - before you say didn't i know from my parents that the recall had changed - they are dead

Yes I am cross with myself, but we are all human and can only take so much of the attitude - wait until you are called