Are you up to date on your smears?

I'm up to date. Although my last one was 18 months late. I just kept forgetting to make an appt. No other reason, the actual procedure doesn't bother me. I've been going to get them done since I was 22.

Yes, I had one a couple of weeks ago, it's every 2 years for me due to a questionable result in the past.
I think my surgery have stopped doing recall notices though....

Yep - going this morning as it happens - I hate going the clamp this is always so cold makes me clam up [:I]

Yep, up to date here too

Oh, you've all shamed /frightened me into booking an appointment today.

I actually had one (which was well overdue) about 5 months ago that made me cry: it was so painful. Then I got the letter to say they hadn't picked up enough cells from the test and I had to have it done again. I've been putting it off... but I do need to go.

I was 18 when my first 'lot' of pre cancer cells were discovered. Not has a clear smear since, I was having them done every 6 months, basically before and after treatments. They've given up on smears in the last 5ish years, now I just have 2 or 3 biopsies, every 6 months and they always come back with moderate changes. Better than being told you're 4 or 5 years away from full blown cervical cancer, which is what my rather shocked consultant told me after one of his housemen discharged me from NHS care. I've definitely had my money's worth out of Bupa in the last 24 years!

quote:Originally posted by jelly baby
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.

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JB,

I'm exactly the same as you, I hate the thought of people messing around with me down there, even though I've managed to have 2 children!![:I]

But I was brave last week & went for my first ever smear at the age of 29? It wasn't that bad, just more uncomfortable than anything, I think I tend to build the worry up in my mind which is why I put it of so long.

Also me & H had a deal that if I had a smear, he'd have a vasectomy!!?

I hated having them after*TMI warning* my first 6 week check and my stiches had'nt healed yet. My doctor tried but I was in too much pain. I left it for years and just lied when they asked when my last smear was. I plucked up the courage last year and had a wonderful nurse who sat and listed to why I left it so long. She was calm and gentle and afterwards we even had a cup of tea and a chat about all the ills of the world. I will never put an appointment off again and will always ask if that nurse is available. I belive the way you are treated has a huge effect on whether you see it as routine or a big deal.

I've never had one, I'm always told I'm too young and I'll have to wait until I'm 25. I've even asked at the FPC and they have told me the same.

I'm up to date.

I had an abnormal result 3 years ago, so am on annual tests now. My gynaecologist did a sneaky one one on me a couple of months ago, one of those "while I'm in here I'll just do a smear as well". I wasn't technically due a smear at the time, but I'm glad she did it, as I'm pregnant now, so can't have another for a while.

I have a huge and troublesome cervical erosion, which always bleeds during smears. I've had to have so many repeats due to the samples being too bloody. Still, it's a whole lot better than cancer.

I'm up to date

I had a few pre-cancerous cells that needed to be treated, so I'm yearly at the moment

I just take a Paracetemol (or a glass of wine if I'm not driving ?) half an hour before the appointment. I think it's better now they use the brush rather than the wodden spatula

Last time I went, I was told I had a lovely cervix

I was so proud! ?

I had one 2 months ago and the result came through with the first signs of abnormal cells. The guidance said come for another one in six months, and you must avoid getting upduffed before then because the changes in your cervix during pregnancy are the same as those which give an abnormal result. Whoops... [:I] Asked my GP about this and she said "We'll do it anyway [?] and then do one 6 months after that once you've had the baby".

This strikes me as really weird - why do a test if you know the result's going to have to be discounted anyway, and especially when everyone on BT I asked said they were told to leave it until afterwards? I don't usually question the judgement of people who've had 10 years' medical training, but on this one I'm really not sure.

quote:Originally posted by Bohemian Raspberry
I've never had one, I'm always told I'm too young and I'll have to wait until I'm 25. I've even asked at the FPC and they have told me the same.

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I'm 27 this year and have had 4 or 5 smear tests.

Another one with a 'lovely' cervix here. I think the nice nurses are going down the flattery route here! ?

As many have said, it's definately not the highlight of my day and I'd rather be the one on my back than the one looking at fannies all day, but it really only takes a few minutes.

Another angle for those who don't go - your GP has a target (somewhere about 95% I believe) for uptake of smears - if they don't hit it then they don't get the associated funding. So if you can go, do, if you can't then let them know so they can defer it and not 'lose' you in their stats.

However, for those of you that find them painful or just don't want to have their GP do it remember you have the right to book your appointment with the FPC. Where you will get someone who does several a day and knows their way round a chuff extremely well, and therefore much reduced risk of pain. As I understand it they shouldn't be painful in most cases.

I'm up to date but thinking about it I am probably due one in the next year or so.

quote:Originally posted by spacecadet_99
Another angle for those who don't go - your GP has a target (somewhere about 95% I believe) for uptake of smears - if they don't hit it then they don't get the associated funding. So if you can go, do, if you can't then let them know so they can defer it and not 'lose' you in their stats.

id="quote">maybe if they offered them out of hours, as opposed to 9-5 they might get better uptake, TBH.

I have no issue with having a smear, what I do take issue with having to miss best part of a days work to have one.

quote:Originally posted by ginntonic

quote:Originally posted by spacecadet_99
Another angle for those who don't go - your GP has a target (somewhere about 95% I believe) for uptake of smears - if they don't hit it then they don't get the associated funding. So if you can go, do, if you can't then let them know so they can defer it and not 'lose' you in their stats.

id="quote">maybe if they offered them out of hours, as opposed to 9-5 they might get better uptake, TBH.

I have no issue with having a smear, what I do take issue with having to miss best part of a days work to have one.

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I think I've always been lucky in that I have had a surgery that does a late night at least once a week. But if your surgery doesn't do suitable hours you're entitled to get it done at another surgery or a FPC as I understand - they just want it done basically, it doesn't matter where.

Never thought about not being up to date but having just moved I thought I'd ring and check thanks to this thread.

Not needed until later in the year but thanks for the reminder Hazel

Yep. I got an abnormal result 18 months ago and am still on 6-monthly smears with the local hospital.

Hazel, I didn't know that about bfing and smear results. Makes me wonder if that's why mine came back abnormal.

quote:Originally posted by hazel

quote:Originally posted by Croyde
Haven't had one for about 5 years - keep putting it off and ignoring letters - last time I went they had to go and get smaller equiptment as the standard stuff wouldn't fit and then he said 'are you planning on having children' I said 'yes at some point' he said 'well I will be surprised if you can have a natural birth you are very small indeed'

?

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What a load of cock on his part. The tightness of the vagina when having a smear is surely no indication of the ability of it to stretch when having a child. It's an entirely different set of mental, physical and hormonal conditions. He seems to have no idea whatsoever of how childbirth works. I wonder if he's seen a minge in anger?id="red"> ?

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??PMSL!

I was due one whilst pg so it was put off - what's the deal with bfing? something about cells being distorted? should i have another now anyway? maybe i should just phone a doc and ask all these questions? ?

now i'm worried, i also had a scare when i was 22 and ended up having surgery in new zealand to remove pre-cancerous cells. i shall register at a docs immediately.

thanks for the reminder, H ?

quote:Originally posted by michelle f
Yep. I got an abnormal result 18 months ago and am still on 6-monthly smears with the local hospital.

Hazel, I didn't know that about bfing and smear results. Makes me wonder if that's why mine came back abnormal.

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I don't think there's anything set in stone, but apparently some of hte hormones can do funny things. That said, it's probably worth having one done anyway. I'm booking mine this morning.

I'm only replying to get the top 6 threads.

quote:Originally posted by barongreenback
I'm only replying to get the top 6 threads.

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I knew that's what you were doing ?

quote:Originally posted by barongreenback
I'm only replying to get the top 6 threads.

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Piss off baron ?

I#%92m up to date having had a smear last month. My third and I am only 25.

My friends mum died of cervical cancer in his 30#%92s 6 months after having her fifth child. My friend has never had a test. I keep telling her to go, but she won#%92t [V]

Buttons x

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.

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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?!

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My practice nurse was fiddling with the speculum, took one look at me and muttered to herself "Nope, I'll need a bigger one."?

quote:Originally posted by Eleda

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.

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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?!

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My practice nurse was fiddling with the speculum, took one look at me and muttered to herself "Nope, I'll need a bigger one."?

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Wizard's Sleeve ?

Yup, up to date, booked in as soon as I got the letter a couple of weeks ago.

quote:Originally posted by LittlePeanut
Oh, you've all shamed /frightened me into booking an appointment today.

I actually had one (which was well overdue) about 5 months ago that made me cry: it was so painful. Then I got the letter to say they hadn't picked up enough cells from the test and I had to have it done again. I've been putting it off... but I do need to go.

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? for you I have had ones that hurt!

They use a new method now, my friend has just gone and she was REALLY paranoid about it (was her first one). She said it hardly hurt at all, hopefully this will make you feel better. Plus she didn't bleed that much.

I am 31, had my first at 19 and have had 2 since. I really, really hate having them done <wibble> and I know I am overdue, but I break out in a cold sweat just thinking about it. OH keeps nagging me to register with our local GP and get myself booked in for one, but the registration process is such a faff.

Someone mentioned about the family planning clinic - can anyone make an appointment there and get one done? ?

I am up to date now-but only because I was diagnosed and had surgery for early stage cervical cancer, late last year. I have a follow up colcoscopy in June-and will have a smear annually thereafter for 5 years.

I have never had the wind taken out of my sails as I did when I got diagnosed-a month before my wedding to boot!

I feel really stupid and ashamed that I left it-I was 2 years overdue.

I will never do so again. A salutory lesson if ever there was one!