the smear thread #2

[Suzie and Faith]

just wondering im 21 do you have to make an appointment i was under the impression that they sent you a letter for when you need one (i havent got any kiddies)

Where i am they don't do them routinely until you are 25! But i think you can request one so maybe speak to your gp or nurse.

My midwife was surprised i'd never had one - until she looked at my age (20) and realised that was why. I'll have one sometime after the birth. Can't be too careful really!

P.S My OH was having a blonde moment and asked the midwife what a smear test was (he thought it was like a blood test) and she got an instrument out and explained it too him - he was SO red. Lol

 

[elaine22]

When I was living in Wales I had a couple of reminders come through the post when I turned 20 but I still haven't been. No idea when they start testing in this area though

 

[Becky]

I know the age/criteria/frequency has changed a few times since I had my first. I think I was 20 when I had my first, but had to have 2 because there weren't enough cells to do the check, then 23 (handy because it was just before I was pregnant) and then again last year.

I used to be nervous about it even though my ever-practical nurse mum told me that the nurse has "seen it all before" I felt awkward about it. Since having Lucy and having complications that meant I had so many internal examinations by almost as many different people I'm fairly relaxed now. I even amazed the nurse at how relaxed I was. They always tell you to "try and relax" because its easier and believe me - they're right!

My mum had breast cancer 5 years ago and she had just turned 50 but hadn't been for a mammogram yet. I know its not the same but I know how devastating it was to come that close to losing my mum at 22, I don't want to put Lucy through that and if I can prevent it by having an uncomfortable few mins at the docs then that's a small price to pay.

 

[kimmumof2]

hi all, in my area they dont offer them until you are 25 either but im now 22 and have had 2 kids my eldest i had at 17 and ive been sexually active since i was 13, do you think you can request one, i always worry about it and 3yrs is quite a long way away, i might even have another child by then!!

xxxx

 

[sarah113]

Here it is every 5 years if your under 25, and when your over 25 its every 3 years

 

[lozzi]

Eeeek i have NEVER had one...


should i have? im 20.



Who does it?


There is only male doctors at my surgery, and the one female nurse... Not being funny but id rather change doctors than have a man doing it..


I hae always presumed that they send you a letter when your supposed to have them... am i wrong? :S

 

[Krystal]

I believe the age is 25 fo your first one, I remember going to my docs at 21 and asking and it had been changed.

I really disagree with it waiting till your 25 bit I mean.

I had one done earlier than 25 because of something else, turned out I had CIN2 abnormal cells. CIN3 is where they start turning cancerous I believe. If it had been left until I was 25 I would still be waiting, possibly getting it done next month and maybe being told it had progressed even further.

I am actually over due one now I must call on Monday to book it so I am glad I seen this thread.

I must tell all you girls, put your embarrasment to one side for a second and go and get this done, it's not painful and the docs are used to seeing it EVERY day, you may feel wierd but they don't give it a 2nd thought. They just see it was another part of your body.

Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers ever but you MUST get a smear!!

 

[Minxy]

Here it is every 5 years if your under 25, and when your over 25 its every 3 years

Same here I think. And you're offered the first as soon as you're sexually active. My GP did my first when I went to go on the pill at 15.

 

[budge]

the reason i went is because i got a recorded delivery letter from he surgery asking me to go for one.
They are starting to send recorded deliveey letters to every woman now so that they know they have got one.
Apparantly somewhere down south a woman got cevical cancer and said she hadn't recieved a letter from the surgery inviting her for a smear. She sued the NHS the stupid cow

. So now they are making sure you sign for the letter.

 

[babyroo]

It's strange is'nt it how different area's do different things I've had 2 done, I think my first was at 19/20 when i went on the pill, got a letter a couple of weeks ago reminding me I'm due for one. Do you have to go mid cycle? I've lost my letter

 

[Snuggle]

I had my first one at 20 and it was fine so I didnt bother my arse again until I was 26. I got letters which I ignored and eventually I reluctantly went again and glad I did as I had severe dyskaryosis (CIN3) and had to have loop excision to burn the cells out. I have had this 3 times in last 4 years (last 2 times were CIN2) so I highly recommend putting your fears aside and having a smear. I have to have smears every 6 months now

 

[skairdykat]

Same as me snuggle but the loops didn't get rid of it all so ended up with a cone biopsy, which did get rid. I had to have them every 6mths for a few yrs and now every 12mths till god knows when. But I don't mind as long as I'm clear.

 

[mrs_tommo22]

I had my first one a couple of months ago and fook it were uncomfortable, all was fine though.

Will try and go as often as possible though as my mums cervical cancer was found during a routine smear - they are so important ladies - if youve had a baby these are nothing to worry about.

 

[monster_munch]

I was supposed to have one last Wednesday at my 6 week check, was bricking it and the nurse forgot - didn't remind her that I was due to have one, just ran for my life

It's shameful, but I'm not even brave enough to say 'Yes, I'll go for one'

 

[HappyAlice]

I'm due one anyday now, my last was in 2005. I'm going to get it done when I go for my mirena check, which should be next week.
Anyone else getting one soon?

 

[Urchin]

I was supposed to have one last Wednesday at my 6 week check, was bricking it and the nurse forgot - didn't remind her that I was due to have one, just ran for my life

It's shameful, but I'm not even brave enough to say 'Yes, I'll go for one'

Look,. I hate them too, the only one I've ever had really hurt.

We should agree to both get one soon, and get it over with

 

[Krystal]

I'm calling my doctors tomorrow. Do you have to do it at a certain time in your cycle? I'm sure my last letter said apporx day 20 - is that right?

 

[poppy160]

I didn't have one at my post-natal..infact I didn't have much of a post-natal, the Doc just checked Ella was okay for her jabs then sent me on my way!
I did have a Coil fitted on Fri and had to have swabs done 2 weeks prior to that..is that a smear test? I'm 20 and have never been advised to have a smear.

 

[Becky]

You can go at almost any time in your cycle so long as you're not on your period.

Go for it girls, most practices have the practice nurse do smear tests so you don't have to have a man looking at your lady bits!

 

[LucyBee]

I'm calling my doctors tomorrow. Do you have to do it at a certain time in your cycle? I'm sure my last letter said apporx day 20 - is that right?

I think it's best to go mid-cycle.

Please get your smears done girls!

I had mine done when Budge first posted. It's not pleasant but much easier than having a baby! And it's over soooo quickly too!

xxx