Anyone else putting off having a smear test?

Weird that this rhreads come up! I've jsut got my letter this morning to go for mine. I had CIN3 removed by cone biopsy 4 years ago(after several colposcopys etc) and Ive only gone back to normal smears this year so I'm a bit scared and got a bit emotional when I opened the letter. Blonde Vicki I dont know if its just that our doctors is good or because of my history but they can never find my cervix either, as its in a weird place, and its really painful when they try, so the lady from the colposcopy clinic (the cervical place at the womens hospital) has told me that whenever I am called for a smear to just request to be sent straight to them, they have really thin speculums and a camera etc so can find my cervix easier. Maybe ask about this?

I would never reccommend not going for a smear though the lesion on my cervix was the size of a 2 pound coin and that was only within 2 years growth, I was so lucky they saw it on a routine exam for my endometriosis or I could have been in trouble I wasnt due a smear for another 12 months. it takes 2 minutes!

What's she going to be like when she gives birth and might poo while pushing?

Mine is a completly ridiculous put-off. I've only just started receiving the letters, advising me to be checked. These have come straight after my "young people aged 16-24 chlamydia checkup" letters. It means I am no longer classed as a young person. Tis the end of an era!

But, I will go and have one done, as soon as I change doctors. Promise!

She's got two kids and she said she didn't poo...

It's uncomfortable but no way would I EVER delay it. Why would you risk it. Stupidest thing I have ever heard.

I always go for mine.

I know you said don't mention horror stories to scare you, but cervical cancer is a horror of a disease and early intervention really does save lives. I was a Marie Curie and oncology nurse before my now profession as a midwife and I've seen too many young women die unnecessarily from advanced Cancer of the cervix.

What is it about the test you "hate"? Talking through your fears with the nurse before hand may help. All practice nurses know women don't like to have intimate examinations and are trained to help. Deep breath and go for it....

*edit* note to self....really should read posts in entirety before posting..... given your past experience I would explain to the nurse of your previous bad experience, ask for the most senior/experienced nurse/no students/or ask your GP to do it.

I really struggle with smear tests.

To me they are painful, not just uncomfotable. It is a vicious cycle as well, the more tense I am the more it hurts! And I always bleed an awful lot during and after (so much so that the last time I had a smear the nurse was very concerned about the amount of bleeding and got the doctor in). And although the actual procedure takes minutes I can feel it for days afterwards. It makes me feel violated. I know I sound like a overreaction but it is how I feel.

I had an abnormal smear test result about 5 years ago and from this, amongst a bit of lazer treatment I then had to have 6 monthly smears for a while- it was my worst nightmare. But through this, I found a routine that makes it a little more tolerable:

* take the day off work and book an appointment around 9am - 10am (and ask for a double appointment- explaining that I need more time).

* When I get up I go for a bath and try to relax- also makes me feel "cleaner" and I have a leisurely get up.

* Go- explain to the nurse how I feel, that it hurts and I bleed a lot. I prefer if they don't tell me what they're doing and talk about non-related stuff. Giving the directions on what I want them to do makes me feel more in control. I use deep breathing exercises and keeping saying to myself to relax. I also focus on something in the room and zone out- almost dissociate from what is happening I guess. Someone on this thread suggested an ipod- I think that's a good idea and might try it next time. I then do it in my own time.

* I then go home, have another bath to relax and put on really comfy clothes.....

* Then I do something really nice as a reward (could be go shopping, book at treatment at a spa, get my haircut (I love my hair being cut) or anything else I really like doing). And have a relaxing day on my own doing things I enjoy. I always feel like being on my own afterwards!

I think the main thing is that just having a routine works for me. But I think everyone needs to find their own way of getting through it.

I hope you find something that works for you x

I want to echo what everyone else has said (although I think i'll skill the discussion on Mini's Muff ? ), ,

Seriously though I have to have annual smears for 10 years due to abnormal cells which had to be removed by colposcopy.

If it's any help I always have my smears done at the Family Planning Clinic as the nurses there are cytology nurses and a big part of their job is doing smears tests. Where as the practice nurse at doctors have to do lots of different things. In my experience at the FPC my smears are much less uncomfortable, , , ,

I'll just echo what everyone has said. I think if you explain to the nurse about how you feel (OP and BV), then they'll be sure to help you through it

And for those who have moved and haven't changed GPs, please do register ASAP because if you're ill and need to see a Dr then you won't be able to! And for some things you won't be able to be referred to specialists, physios etc. GPs can do those things whereas A+Es, Walk In Centres, Minor Injuries Units etc can't.

It is annoying when the nurse messes up your smear test. I got called in for a colposcopy because I had 3 abnormal smears due to insufficient cells on the slide (nurses fault), once the slide broke and I had to get undressed and have it done again ? The consultant didn't find anything but I had to have 6 monthly smears just to be sure. I wasn't keen on watching the procedure on the monitor though so stared at the picture of George Clooney he stuck on the ceiling to take ladies minds of it!

Thanks Hayse - violated really sums up how I feel about it as well. I can't take days off but could maybe have it done in the holidays - I'm in two minds about this though as it seems like a good way to ruin a holiday! It does feel better to know I'm not alone and not just being "stupid", "selfish" or "immature".

Seeing as everyone else is sharing their smear-test stories...

I went to Uni in Wales, and there the age for smear tests is much younger than in England (19/20ish i think??), and fairly soon after registering with my Welsh practice i got a letter saying i was due for a smear. I am ashamed to say i totally freaked out and stuffed the letter in my drawer and threw it out with the trash at the end of the year.

Then when i moved down south a few years later once i'd turned 25, i got the letter again. The GPs i was regeistered with I'd had issues with and really didn't like any of them and certainly didn't want any of them doing my smear. I moved house shortly afterwards and it still took me a year to re-register with the new docs, but did then straight away book in a smear. It was the first thing i did.

Honestly, i found it really painful (beforehand, i was scared about the brush thingy, but it was the speculum(??) thing that got me...didn't even feel the brush....TMI??).

Anyway, long story short...i feel like a loon for delaying it so long (7 years from the initial letter) and most certainly wouldn't do the same next time i get the letter. Do not delay.

I could be wrong (it was a very long time ago) but I am pretty sure I was 16 for my first one!

I wouldn't say you were being stupid or selfish by being scared, and I hope it has helped to hear that others have the same kind of feelings, but I think that the potential dangers are too scary to ignore. The problem with thinking "I'll take the risk" is that if the worst did happen then you'd probably think "I wish I had done it because this stuff is a lot worse and potentially I might not make it through". Does that make sense? I hope I'm not being patronising!

Thanks NB. There isn't any argument against what you say. As I said earlier, I do go for all the other tests I'm meant to do, religiously. Regarding family planning clinics - I haven't been to one of these in over 30 years - can you just walk in and say you want a smear? I would prefer this I think, rather than seeing the nurse who normally does my flu jab!

Same here, My GP said you should have smears as soon as you are sexually active but that was back in the day when common sense prevailed now I believe it is 25!

It is 25. I have never had one. When my nan passed away from cervical cancer I asked the Dr if I should have had a smear test as I too thought it was from when you was sexually active but I was told it had now changed to from 25 years of age. I am 24 so I guess I will be having one soon enough.

Apparently doing them under 25 has been shown not to be beneficial because the risk of false positives is so high that unnecessary treatment would result which can lead to fertility problems. (I found that out from an NHS website).

Yes you can just make an appointment,. I only go there for my smears, , ,

Thanks Loveska. What's the best way to find out where my nearest one is?

I got a letter through about a month before my 25th birthday telling me to make an appointment for a smear so obviously I did and made it for about a week before my birthday. Went to have it done and she refused to do it because I wasn't 25. Still not re booked it and this thread has just reminded me that I need to

I'm not sure my routine would work for you but it might be worth putting together some kind of routine that addresses the issues you have with smears.

I can completely understand why someone would avoid a smear test even with all the knowledge about risks. I've avoided at times and still do sometimes put it off (I don't book as soon as I get a letter through). The fact that you are trying to find away of not avoiding it suggests to me that you know the importance. I am another one that has no problems with any other medical treatment.

For me, I also needed to acknowledge to myself that smear tests were really awful and I did have a problem with them and that's okay (everyone has problems with different things and this is mine), rather than comparing myself to others and thinking "well they do it without a problem, why can't I". Then instead of beating myself up eg "It's ridiculous that I find this such a problem", being compassionate with myself eg "It's understandable I struggle with this because of x, y and z and I'm doing really well to go" etc. I also view the day off as a looking after myself day rather than a day off to have a smear test- hence the nice treatments also booked!

Interspersed with a load of anxiety management technques and telling the nurse (I even tell the nurse now how difficult it was to get to the appointment now- I never used to), I've got a way that means that its tolerable and I don't avoid them for so long.

You are definitely not alone and many many people just avoid them- atleast you're trying to find a way of addressing the issue which is so much more than others.

I think there's some good ideas on here to try- good luck x

Please don't put it off. It is a few moments of feeling a bit awkward but could be so important to your health down the line.

I had a few OK results, then a few wrong uns. Now they are investigating further after a few 'abnormal' cells have been found. The risk is apparently a 1 in 5 chance if we leave it then after 15-20 years it could be cancerous.

It's terrifying and am awaiting results of a colposcopy now, but I would rather put up with a few minutes of discomfort than deliberately leave myself open to a risk.

Hi Hun, you can google Family Planning or do a search on Yell.com

x

When I had my first smear I think I was about 20, 21 ish. I was soooo nervous, and felt really uncomfortable, then the nurse doing it said "ooooo, you do have a beautiful cervix" - there I was legs akimbo, terrified and she comes out with that, I made me giggle so much I nearly wet myself! lol

I always for for them now, make the appointment the same day that I get my reminder,

Sange, would you believe me if I told you my Ma has told me not to bother?! Her reasoning is that I've been with my OH since I was 16 so am not likely to be at risk. I do go for smear tests though, for my OH's sake. His Ma has cancer and me having cancer as well (even though unlikely) would tip him over the edge.

OP, yes I had a huge fear of them before my most recent test. I had a horrible experience at my first ever smear test but that was a good few years ago now. They used the metal thingmy bobs the first time and it was really quite painful. Consequently I was nearly hyperventilating before my last one. However, this time it was done by a nurse rather than a GP, and nurses do them all the time. The nurses are lovely and very understanding. Plus, they don't use those metal things any more. Everyone gets their own plastic one and they are far more comfortable and get thrown away after they've been used. It was just a bit uncomfortable this time, rather than painful. I won't be worried again about going.

Just read the rest of the thread. BV, make sure you ask them to use the small one (they come in small and large). My first experience was similar to yours. x

In Wales, the age is 20. I went for my first one aged 20 and got an abnormal result. After a colposcopy, they decided that nothing was wrong. I had to go back for 6 monthly checkups for a couple of years, then yearly and it's only recently gone back to three-yearly.

All of the investigations were very invasive, but I'd go through them all again every week if I had to, just to be sure that I hadn't got cancer. If they catch it early enough, it's treatable. If they catch it too late just because you were too worried to go for a smear test, then there's nothing that can be done, but it could have been prevented.

There is some very good practical advice on here, which you should try to folow. All I'll say is don't put it off any longer.

My nursey friend told me the key to an easy smear is to relax, totally relax your legs and muscles. If you are tense it is uncomfy but the more relaxed you are the more it is 'ok'. I really did well relaxing and mine are always fine. The alternative is you could get cancer and it go unnoticed then you will be going through a lot more than a 30 second smear.

So true.

I was terrified about having my first one but I did it and it wasnt great but its done now. I did feel very weird after, having something 'down there' that I didnt ask for (!)

I spoke to my mum about it and she has real problems with all internal exams. When she was giving birth to me she kept crossing her legs!!

Anyway - my mum goes and the nurse lets her put the plastic thing in herself. That way she is more relaxed about it - that might help?

Hope you manage to get over the fear and have one cos its deinfitely worth it - but you already know that.

I would never put it off and think it is a bit pathetic to do so if I am honest.