Are you up to date on your smears?

Yep, had one not long back.

Yes. I've had to go more recently again due to a few problems and its only the fact my smears were up to date that kept me from panicking.

I'm watching that and I was a little shocked too. I am up to date and always go on time. I have two friends who've had treatment for pre-cancerous cells at a young age so I would never miss one.

Yep. I went in 2006 after I had MissSun, it was put off whilst I was pregnant.

I don't understand anyone who doesn't go - if you're offered screening for a potentially life threatening illness then why on earth wouldn't you?

I went as soon as I had the letter in January, but as usual results were hampered by bleeding. Not been back for the re-test, as I'm fed up of going for 2 or 3 tests every time due to butcher doctors.?

I've always gone on time and am up to date. I don't know why people would put it off without a reason to do so...

At what age do you start being called for them? [:I]none of my friends have been called for one yet?

Had one last October. I was a few weeks overdue, but only because I had to wait til half term for the appointment as I can't take time off work. I hate them, but would never miss them.

No lectures please - but I've never had one. I know I should but I just can't. However, we went to the GP about fertility and she has convinced me to go and have one. I haven't quite managed it yet but I will (I think)

quote:Originally posted by Lou-smudge
at what age do you start being called for them? [:I]none of my friends have been called for one yet?

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From a very young age if I remember correctly. 16?

quote:Originally posted by Lou-smudge
at what age do you start being called for them? [:I]none of my friends have been called for one yet?

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I was called for my first one at 18 and have had them every 3 years since but I know some surgeries don't start smears until you are 25 and then only repeat them every 5 years.

No, despite being sexually active for a number of years and having a child I still haven't had one. I'm 23, whenever I ask my GP he says I won't be called for one until I'm 24.

Yep. I had one last October as, although I wasn't quite due for one, I was having some swabs done anyway so it was done at the same time. I'm pretty religious about keeping up to date.

Yep Im upto date.

I was also shocked by this but I know a lot of my friends werent that happy about having it done (they are younger than me) when I got called for at 21.

I was also shocked when my gp told me that it had gone up to 25 when I asked about my next one.

quote:Originally posted by jelly baby
No lectures please - but I've never had one. I know I should but I just can't. However, we went to the GP about fertility and she has convinced me to go and have one. I haven't quite managed it yet but I will (I think)

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It's really a very simple procedure, it's nothing to worry about. I always think i'd prefer to have the smear done than to get the cervical cancer. I know which I think is worse.

I'm glad you're going to go ?

quote:Originally posted by jelly baby
No lectures please - but I've never had one. I know I should but I just can't. However, we went to the GP about fertility and she has convinced me to go and have one. I haven't quite managed it yet but I will (I think)

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No lectures, but please go. They are not as bad as you think ?

quote:Originally posted by Mrs Winkle

quote:Originally posted by Lou-smudge
at what age do you start being called for them? [:I]none of my friends have been called for one yet?

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From a very young age if I remember correctly. 16?

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It's much later these days - mid 20s perhaps? Worth asking the GP's receptionist to check.

JB it's really not as bad as you're expecting, honest!

Have never missed having one. Not worth the risk in my mind.

I know someone who's mother died of cervical cancer but refused to go and have smear tests for herself. Plain stupid in my book.

I saw on the Embarassing Illness last night that only 75% of mamograms are used by women over 50. It's free screening and it could save your life - I just don't understand why women do not take this seriously [:I]

Ah a couple of years to wait then?

It's 25 now

I was booked in for one but had to cancel because of a family emergency, when I could rebook it the guidelines had changed and I wasn't able to have one.

I'm 25 in September so will be booking for one then, I've had an internal scan so the thought doesn't scare me anymore.

Yup. I went 2 years ago and I was fine so won't be recalled until 2011.

Yikes. That's a long way off.

I haaaate getting one done, so I'm a terror for putting it off. I've got a weirdly sloping cervix apparently and so getting adequate cells can be quite difficult.
Last time I was offered liquid cytology to screen and analyse the results though, as that is supposed to enhance the cells more than the traditional method. It did cost me an extra $100 though, which means getting a smear isn't cheap! ☹️!]

Thanks ladies. The doctor was so nice and said she's actually a bit of an expert and even does them for her friends as they say she is really good at it. She's might just be saying it but i felt better. She actually made a good point that if we are going to need to progress with IVF I'll have to get used to people delving around.

I had one for the first time last month and I'm in my 30s - I've never had a letter for screening, probably because I've never been registered with the same doctor for more than a few months.

quote:Originally posted by Pink Han-bag
It's 25 now

I was booked in for one but had to cancel because of a family emergency, when I could rebook it the guidelines had changed and I wasn't able to have one.

I'm 25 in September so will be booking for one then, I've had an internal scan so the thought doesn't scare me anymore.

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Really? wonder why they keep changing it. I wonder if I should ask my GP again. I've had internals and swabs taken when I was pregnant so ok with the concept of it, just think I should have had one by now.

Yep I am, last one was Sept 06 about 5 months after I gave birth, I remember having a ? that it wasn't faaaaiiiirrrrr, I'd had enough people poking about my fanny in previous months ? but I'd never have dreamed about putting it off. Regrettably post birth it did hurt and I bled slightly ?, never had any bother with them before. Cervix ?

If you are on the pill, our practice stop prescribing it until you go for a smear which I think is a good way of making you go. And if you're not on the pill they bombard you with phone calls and letters until you go, so it's not easy to avoid them round here ?

quote:Originally posted by jelly baby
No lectures please - but I've never had one. I know I should but I just can't. However, we went to the GP about fertility and she has convinced me to go and have one. I haven't quite managed it yet but I will (I think)

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No lectures here either but if you end up going for more fertility treatment, there'll be plenty of rummaging up there!?Thing about them is, they're over before you think they've even got going.?

A friend of mine died of cervical cancer in her mid 20s leaving a husband and a 1 year old daughter ? She'd never been for a smear.

quote:Originally posted by HaloHoney
Yup. I went 2 years ago and I was fine so won't be recalled until 2011.

Yikes. That's a long way off.

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That's 5 years. I thought they were every 3.

quote:Originally posted by jelly baby
No lectures please - but I've never had one. I know I should but I just can't. However, we went to the GP about fertility and she has convinced me to go and have one. I haven't quite managed it yet but I will (I think)

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It's not as bad as you think. I think people find it more uncomfortable as they are embarassed and tense which doesn't help.
I have leg cramp that is more painful than having a smear which is really to say having a smear isn't painful.

Please make the effort to go - your life is worth it.

Yes, up to date here too. I don't look forward to them but the feeling you get when you've done it is worth everything.

quote:Originally posted by jelly baby
No lectures please - but I've never had one. I know I should but I just can't. However, we went to the GP about fertility and she has convinced me to go and have one. I haven't quite managed it yet but I will (I think)

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Please do it jelly baby. Phone tomorrow. It takes 5 mins and it can save your life. ?