smear tests

eyelinerprincess

Around here it's 20 when you go for your first.

Beth - ow! I had the same type of pain when I had an ultrasound done for a pain in my lower abdomen, I don't know if it's the pushing on it or what.

frivolous_fay

dmg24 wrote: »

No offence f_f, but that is a very naive attitude.

You asked how I knew I hadn't been in contact with HPV - I answered.

dmg24 wrote: »

I would recommend having a chat with your practice nurse or your GP, in order to get a more realistic view of the causes of cervical cancer.

That's kind of my point. They don't want to know. It's far easier to get you in for a smear than actually discuss it with you in an adult manner.

I could be a vigrin for all they care, they'd still get me in for smears.

vixarooni

frostyspice wrote: »

Oh dear - you do realise that that really would be a nanny state?

So your health is now the responsibility of the State? Come on, think about what you're saying. Remind yourself when to go for a smear, and get annoyed with YOURSELF if you forget - it's YOUR body and YOUR business.

Many of my close family have had bowel cancer. From the age of 50 I could possibly get called by the NHS for screening for this. If the letter doesn't get to me, and I do nothing about getting myself checked out because I'm waiting to hear from someone, whose fault is it if I develop bowel cancer which goes undiagnosed? It's MINE.

You're concerned about when to have a smear, I can see that from your earlier posts. Just get up and go to the doctor's/family planning clinic and ASK!!

The state obviously missed you education wise. Ive never even been to smear test to have missed one so why youre going on about that i have no clue.

The angle im coming in from is that if the NHS were run better then they could run a smoother operation to remind people when to return. Youre personalising it yourself with a history of bowel cancer, if everyone in my family had it then by golly i wouldnt hang around either, but no one in my family has a history of cerival cancer so its not at the back of mind all the time that i might be next where as for you it might be different.

Have you ever thought that some people are different? Im shy about going to talk to people i dont know about things like that. Took me year to get courage to ask about the pill! I also dont want to put myself through a horrible experience when i dont have to just yet. I see your point but i dont think youve seen mine.

the_geary

[QUOTE=vixarooni;8208269The_angle_im_coming_in_from_is_that_if_the_NHS_were_run_better_then_they_could_run_a_smoother_operation_to_remind_people_when_to_return._.[/QUOTE]

I've tried to answer this in my post on page 2. There is such a system, precisely because it's not something that the majority of women are going to have on their calendar. In some cases the GP chooses to run the recall system but there aren't many because the HA system is more efficient. It's people that aren't registered with a Gp that are slightly different but I'd need to check through the documents for the system for them.
also with every screening invite sent by the local screening office, the national leaflet about screening is included. You can download a copy from the website link I posted earlier.
also on the website are all national guidelines and documentation about the programme, so you read through and get more idea of what happens when.
there's also something called 'failsafe' which checks that women who need to return early after having an abnormal test result or have been referred for further checks (colposcopy) are notified and so have the opportunity to attend. The lab, the screening office, the colposcopy staff and Gp all have systems in place to do this. It's all documented in publication no 11 on the website.
the number of follow up tests after an abnormal result will depend on the grade of changes, whether you had treatment and what that showed. Low grade changes usually are followed up by 3 negative tests at least 6 months apart. More abnormal changes which are usually treested at colposcopy are followed up by having tests 6 months after afterwards then annually for 10 years. If these are all ok then you'd go back to routine recall with interval depending on your age.

the_geary

beachbeth wrote: »

I have had smear this week and can't remember when my last one was - whether 5 or 3 years ago. I really really hate them! It doesn't seem to matter whether a woman or a man does them (although I think women are slightly worse) they always seem to hurt. This time it didn't actually hurt me but I was left with a little bleeding which lasted for 3 days.

A few years ago I had a doctor do it and he said "you seem really tense" and I thought "Well, wouldn't you!!!!" and I said "Im really nervous" and he then said "I'll use a small one then" - I didn't know they came in different sizes! Unless he was just saying that! Why don't they make them smaller anyway! Some of these people think we are made of rubber or something. I have been quite upset about mine this week and always feel a bit violated afterwards.

Sorry for the rant and being a total wuss but it really is an awful procedure
that could be made better in my opinion. However, having said that, I will still
go for regular smears because it is better than dying of cancer.

Speculums are made in different sizes because we're all made differently and experiences such as childbirth can alter physiology.
even though I work in the screening programme I don't like going for a smear test either and also find it uncomfortable. Sometimes knowing more about things doesn't actually help, but I will still go

beachbeth

the_geary wrote: »

Speculums are made in different sizes because we're all made differently and experiences such as childbirth can alter physiology.

But surely the smaller the better for everyone? Or do the bigger ones make for a more reliable result? Why can't they all be quite small no matter who we are?

*Louise*

newbie71 wrote: »

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

Ah well, at least we don't get some doc's finger shoved up our bum to check the prostate like men do...:rotfl:

Savvy_Sue

Penny-Pincher!! wrote: »

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

Not noticed an answer to this: the only way to find out would be to phone and ask. I suspect it would depend if she was trained for this.

BTW, you can get self-swabbing kits for some STIs. Probably not very widely available ... and please don't ask how I know this!

*Louise* wrote: »

Ah well, at least we don't get some doc's finger shoved up our bum to check the prostate like men do...:rotfl:

TBH I'm not sure that makes me feel any better! :rotfl:

keelykat

Hi, i went for a smear when i was about 18-when i went in for it to be done i was told they had changed the age to 25 and so i didnt need it doing. I told the nurse i still wanted it done and she didnt refuse. But i cant go back untill im 25 (will be 24 later this year).....

The experience wasn't bad though, had no compaints as the nurse was lovely. It was no worse then having a swab taken (when testing for thrush) and to be honest going for sti tests was slightly worse as they took a swab from the hole you pee from (ouch that stung).

Keely.

belfastgirl23

I've had it done fairly regularly and never had any real pain. Very slight period style discomfort and a tiny bit of bleeding for a minute or two but it's never felt more than momentarily uncomfortable and I don't think I have a particularly high pain threshold at all. Perhaps this is due to getting it done at the FP clinic. I can't say I look forward to it but I don't dread it either. Oh and they do have a push down around the ovaries but again I didn't find it particularly sore, more like trying to reach down the back of your desk when you drop a pen

Just posting this so that first timers know that a lot of people also have fairly positive or neutral experiences as well...though I know some have had a rough time.

BTW nearly the first thing they ask when you walk in the door is 'are you up to date with your smears' which is great. I am fairly health conscious and I have to say I wouldn't necessarily remember when one is due...and it's hard to diary date for 3 years ahead.