Please sign the Drop The Age Petition

Petition gladly signed. I feel pretty strongly about this.

At my first test when I 'came of age' I had severely abnormal cells which would have been picked up sooner if the test was carried out at a younger age.

I've been lucky but others aren't.

I haven't got the references to hand, but it's down to a risk-benefit calculation of the chance of having invasive cervical cancer (incredibly low under 25, though we all know our poor Twiga was exceptionally unlucky in this) vs the chance of a false positive test leading to invasive treatment potentially compromising fertility and rarely overall health, which is much more common in late teens and early 20s. Changes in the cervix around and after puberty can give misleading smear results, which is why in England they have decided to keep it at 25. I think there's also some evidence that women called at 25 are more likely to go back regularly than those called initially at 20 - who are possibly more likely to decide not to go back if they have an unpleasant experience - but I'm not sure on that one.

Many GPs will not routinely test earlier than 25 because they don't get paid for screening below that age. If a woman under 25 presents with symptoms suggestive of cervical cancer then a smear is not the most appropriate first line investigation, as it's a screening test not a diagnostic one - she should be referred for colposcopy (though irritatingly many colposcopy services will not accept referrals without a smear result, so it's a moot point). I am actually old enough to have been called at 20 but didn't go because I was still a virgin, then they raised the age shortly after. Ended up getting one done at about 23.

I won't sign, because I believe that health policy should be based on solid public health research rather than emotive individual-related campaigns, but I realise many may not feel this way. And the number of young women who according to that petition would have their "lives, health and fertility" saved is not "countless," it's very small, especially when weighed against those who would have unnecessary investigations and fertility-affecting treatments if it were lowered.

I had one at 18, a few months after having my son.

I'd had 3 smear tests by the time I reached 25. When I had my second son (at 25) my midwife was shocked that i'd been having smear tests.

Those who had a child before they were 25, were you invited to have a smear test? My MW made it seem like it was unusual.

What Helenia said.

I'm 22 (23 next month) and I got called just under two years ago for my first one. I've not had children or been pregnant so rules that out. I thought it was normal to be called once you turn 21?

My sister has been having hers since she was 21 (now 26) and on one of her she had abnormal cells and had to go every 6 months until she gets two 'normal' readings in a row. Who knows why her results are abnormal but I'm glad they've picked it up earlier rather than later.

Out of interest, where in the country are you LotBot?

I'm 27 but have only had one. I was called at 25 and went at that point.

I'm in Carmarthenshire, South West Wales

I wasn't sure if that would have anything to do with it or not as we don't have to pay for prescribed medication so maybe our health service have different policies.

I ignored the letter to start with as I hated the idea. After about 3-4 reminders (sorry environment for waste of paper!) I plucked up the courage. I now wouldn't think twice about it. Perhaps they do it to hopefully build confidence to make sure everyone has been at least once before they are 25.

Who knows

My LG is nearly 5 months old and when I asked about a smear they simply told me I was too young and have to wait until I'm 25 (23 now).

Signed!