Are you up to date on your smears?

quote:Originally posted by Sunset21

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.

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It's 5 years in our area, or certainly was. I get them yearly though due to past investigations.

I'm up to date with mine.

I believe that the age was raised to 25 because some research found that younger women produced inaccurate results (something to do with the fact that cervical cells are naturally changing up to age 25 anyway, and this can give misleading results?)

Yes - I had treatment for precancerous cells about 14 years ago (picked up on my very first smear test), so I've only recently stopped having yearly ones and I'm now allowed to have a 3 year gap between tests. It really is very easy and absolutely nothing to worry about (and I'm a wuss when it comes to pain and embarassment!) Please talk to your practice nurse if you are at all nervous about it.

How often are they now? Is it still 3 years?

I had one just under 3 years ago so assume I am due one. Am also assuming they will write to me?

quote:Originally posted by Diamond Star Halo
I'm up to date with mine.

I believe that the age was raised to 25 because some research found that younger women produced inaccurate results (something to do with the fact that cervical cells are naturally changing up to age 25 anyway, and this can give misleading results?)

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Plus it's cheaper, though that may be overly cynical of me ?

Mine's now a year overdue. The problem is I work 15 miles from home and they only do smears between about 9.30-12.30 2 days a week. They don't do them on fridays (my day off) and they won't allow me to book a GP appointment for a smear, it has to be with the nurse.
I need to try and book one at the family planning part of the other local health centre which is open until about 6.00 one day a week.

My last one was hideous, 6 weeks post birth and a witch of a doctor who wandered off to get more equipment half way through.

I had a letter through a couple of weeks ago reminding me mine is due...booked up for the lolly pop exploration tuesday next week. Not particularly looking forward to it but it's too important not to do...plus a takeaway frothy coffee on the way back to the office after always makes things seem better.?

I got my reminder notice last week. This will only be the second time I've had to go, last time I put it off for ages, and in truth I was going to put it off. [:I]

Hazel - your post has made me change my mind. I'll be ringing for an appointment tomorrow.

Yes, and they make you have them annually here!

I got called for my first one at 21 but I also remember being told you should get your first one once you become sexualy active then every 3 years.

I've been having them since I was properly sexually active at about 19. I was advised to start having them by the Dr.

I'm 24 and have had 3 i think, i had to ask for my last one due to swapping surgeries a few times and the policy at my last being to have them from 25 upwards. as i was there and booked in i had it done anyhow and don't think i need one for a few years now.

it really doesn't hurt at all and is one of the few doctor things I don't mind going for.

quote:Originally posted by hazel
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.

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Sorry to hear that ?
One of my frend's was called for a smear a year early (by mistake) she went anyway and had the smear, when the results came back she had cervical cancer, lucily they have caught it in time but if she hadnt been called by mistake that might not have been the case.
She's only 23

quote:Originally posted by Sunset21

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.

id="quote">
That's 5 years. I thought they were every 3.

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I was told 5 by the nurse who did mine. She was terribly nice about it all, we were chatting about holidays. ?

The smear test threat was vintage Hitched at its best, wasn't it? I remember someone's nurse saying (upon cranking her open) "There it is, in all its glory." ? wtf?!

quote:Originally posted by Petunia
How often are they now? Is it still 3 years?

I had one just under 3 years ago so assume I am due one. Am also assuming they will write to me?

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My doctor does them every 3 years.

I urge anyone who hasn't been for one at all or for many years to make an appointment immediately. I didn't have one for about six years and when I finally did, they found severely abnormal cells. I had to go to the hospital for a colposcopy then a biopsy to get rid of the abnormal cells (not cancerous thank god). Lots of people on here had had the same and lovely Hitchers helped me through my worries but the biopsy wasn't nice and I wuld hate anyone else to have to go through it out of shear laziness (which was my reason and my fault). All is ok now but I have to go back for annual smears now for the next five years.

Smears are not the most pleasant of things but they are there for a reason, so those who are making excuses, stop it! It's your health!

POshpaws...how though? I've asked if I can have them but have been told on countless times I'm too young.

When is the best time in your cycle to have a smear - they recommend not too close to your period or something don't they?

quote:Originally posted by HaloHoney

quote:Originally posted by Sunset21

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.

id="quote">
That's 5 years. I thought they were every 3.

id="quote">

I was told 5 by the nurse who did mine. She was terribly nice about it all, we were chatting about holidays. ?

The smear test threat was vintage Hitched at its best, wasn't it? I remember someone's nurse saying (upon cranking her open) "There it is, in all its glory." ? wtf?!

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I got complimented on my pelvic floor muscles and my "fertile mucus" last time ?

It was hard to know hwo to respond ?

quote:Originally posted by suitably sparkley
When is the best time in your cycle to have a smear - they recommend not too close to your period or something don't they?

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I tend to go after i've just had a period. I'm not sure when is the correct time in the cycle but I know that previously when i've called and i'm due on I rearrange for just after.

Yes, I'm up to date ?

quote:Originally posted by poshpaws
I urge anyone who hasn't been for one at all or for many years to make an appointment immediately. I didn't have one for about six years and when I finally did, they found severely abnormal cells. I had to go to the hospital for a colposcopy then a biopsy to get rid of the abnormal cells (not cancerous thank god). Lots of people on here had had the same and lovely Hitchers helped me through my worries but the biopsy wasn't nice and I wuld hate anyone else to have to go through it out of shear laziness (which was my reason and my fault). All is ok now but I have to go back for annual smears now for the next five years.

Smears are not the most pleasant of things but they are there for a reason, so those who are making excuses, stop it! It's your health!

id="quote">

My story is so similar. I had never had a smear and some lovely ladies on Hitched bugged me until I made an appointment. My results came back abnormal and I had cancerous cells. It took 3 years for me to have different treatments etc I am now ok and back to just yearly smears rather than 6 monthly but had I had gone a lot earlier (when I first was told to) I could have saved myself a lot of worry.

quote:Originally posted by PhoebeBuffay
POshpaws...how though? I've asked if I can have them but have been told on countless times I'm too young.

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wss, this is what's happened to me

quote:Originally posted by PhoebeBuffay
POshpaws...how though? I've asked if I can have them but have been told on countless times I'm too young.

id="quote">

If you've been sexually active for a while, it shouldnt matter. If a dcotor refuses to do it, go to a family planning clinic. You should never be refused a smear on account of your age. I think I was 19 when I first had one (at a FP clinic).

This thread is slowly talking me around to getting one, I'm 26 and haven't had one yet. Each time I've been sent a letter it's been during work and I can't go. But I really should ring back and make an appointment. I think it's the not knowing what they do that has put me off. Anyone care to let me in on the secret?! ?

I've had 2, and I'm 27 soon. They changed the age after I'd had my first. My last one was very horrible but it was firstly done by a male student who I have reason to believe had no fanny experiance whatsoever. Then the gyno had to do it again (after he'd handed her a blood smeared instrument as if it was the most normal thing in the world,not half my cervix in his hands)

Thats unusual though, first one I didn't feel a thing.

quote:Originally posted by poshpaws

quote:Originally posted by PhoebeBuffay
POshpaws...how though? I've asked if I can have them but have been told on countless times I'm too young.

id="quote">

If you've been sexually active for a while, it shouldnt matter. If a dcotor refuses to do it, go to a family planning clinic. You should never be refused a smear on account of your age. I think I was 19 when I first had one (at a FP clinic).

id="quote">

Right, I'll call my local FP clinic and ask about it.

quote:Originally posted by Pink Han-bag

quote:Originally posted by PhoebeBuffay
POshpaws...how though? I've asked if I can have them but have been told on countless times I'm too young.

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wss, this is what's happened to me

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Glad I'm not the only one, hey I can send you "Well done on your 1st smear card" Now why didn't the apprentice people think of that?

I'm 18 months overdue.A midwife once made a comment that embarrassed me and I've been putting it off because of it.

quote:Originally posted by hazel

I got complimented on my pelvic floor muscles and my "fertile mucus" last time ?

It was hard to know hwo to respond ?

id="quote">

well quite!

When I had my first one here a guy did it as it saved waiting weeks for an appointment with a woman. He spent the entire time asking me about getting a brazillian wax as he'd "never seen one close up" till then!

Yep, I had mine on monday. I hate having them done but I would end up worrying myself if I never went.

quote:Originally posted by mariko
This thread is slowly talking me around to getting one, I'm 26 and haven't had one yet. Each time I've been sent a letter it's been during work and I can't go. But I really should ring back and make an appointment. I think it's the not knowing what they do that has put me off. Anyone care to let me in on the secret?! ?

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It's a pretty simple procedure. They use a speculum, like the one shown on the programme if you're watching. It's penis like in shape I suppose but opens up once inside you so that they can get cells from the cervix. Anyone can feel free to correct me if i'm using the wrong terminology btw ? It's quite a quick procedure, on some occasions it's felt a little uncomfortable but on others i've hardly felt it.

Hyacinth, that sounds horrible! Poor you! At our health centre, our female nurses or doctors do the smears. If people are worried about men being around, they should ask when they ring up if a female doctor will be doing the smear.

mariko, please go! It's not the most pleasant of things but it's a lot better than it used to be (I remembe the clamp things, eurgh!). And a smear is much better than a biopsy at the hospital!