[Cherie]

Take up for test has reached an all time low

The test is going to be rebranded as apparently smear test is offputting


https://news.sky.com/story/cervical-...s-off-11655442

he first ever government campaign to encourage women to attend their cervical smear tests has been launched as it's revealed the number of women skipping their screenings is at a 20-year high.

Cervical screenings, better known as smear tests, are free on the NHS for all women aged between 25 and 64.

They can detect the early signs of cervical cancer before the "abnormal cells" become cancerous.

But one in four women are not attending their tests, despite one in nine saying they would take a test that could help prevent cancer.

Public Health England has launched a national campaign to try to counter this trend using TV and digital adverts.

[arista]

Yes
a test Women need to take


"apparently smear test "
Yes some women do not like the word "smear"
so they are thinking of a better name.

[Twosugars]

come to think of it, smear test as a name is unfortunate and unnecessarily disgusting
why highlight that the cells are smeared onto a microscope slide? Who cares
why not a cervical test or Pap test as it is called in the US? (Pap after its inventor, Georgios Papanikolaou)
My preference tho would be cervical cytology bc that's what it is about.

[Cherie]

Originally Posted by Twosugars

come to think of it, smear test as a name is unfortunate and unnecessarily disgusting
why highlight that the cells are smeared onto a microscope slide? Who cares
why not a cervical test or Pap test as it is called in the US? (Pap after its inventor, Georgios Papanikolaou)
My preference tho would be cervical cytology bc that's what it is about.

Maybe its not the best choice of name, but changing the name won't change the actual procedure or fear of it or embarrassment which seems to be the case now, given women spend an average of 15 hours in labour with their legs in the air and a host of different people peering up their vagina, I really don't see what the issue is with having a 5 minute minorly uncomfortable procedure? Pap test is even worse in my view

[smudgie]

This test saves lives.

Such a shame that so many women don’t go for screening.
I can understand how some might think it embarrassing, but it’s not as bad as you might think.
Better than ended up with having to go for a vaginal scan etc, plus any treatment needed if you end up with cancer.

[Vicky.]

I am actually long overdue mine, keep putting it off :/ For some reason it really ****ing hurts me though, others seem to find it uncomfortable but I swear its agony and I bleed for weeks afterwards too. Maybe my nurse is ****..oddly enough, when I have had it done by a (male) doctor, they are much much gentler and I don't get so much pain. Have been avoiding it for ages as when I did try to book with the doctor, I was told it had to be the nurse...I know its important...but it is something easy to talk yourself out of.

[AnnieK]

I had loads of problems with abnormal cells when I was younger and ended up having to have biopsies, cone biopsies etc etc. I then had to have a test every 6 months for 2 years and then yearly. I am now back on three yearly ones and have recently had one. I honestly could do it myself I have been through that many

Although they have changed the test now and no longer look for abnormal cells and only look for the presence of the HPV virus as they say that the likelihood of having abnormal cells without HPV is low as its the HPV that mutates and causes the cancer. I think that is a bit of a worrying this as the comes back with HPV Negative or Positive result and it is classed as an STI and so some people will be put off thinking they will be judged by the doctors if it comes back positive and put off the tests for that reason too.

Vicky - it really shouldn't be that painful or cause bleeding though - have you mentioned that to your Doc / Nurse?

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by Vicky.

I am actually long overdue mine, keep putting it off :/ For some reason it really ****ing hurts me though, others seem to find it uncomfortable but I swear its agony and I bleed for weeks afterwards too. Maybe my nurse is ****..oddly enough, when I have had it done by a (male) doctor, they are much much gentler and I don't get so much pain. Have been avoiding it for ages as when I did try to book with the doctor, I was told it had to be the nurse...I know its important...but it is something easy to talk yourself out of.

It totally depends on the the Doctor, I have a female Doctor and the nurse in the surgery is female and both are very quick and gentle. my mom actually changed her Doctor because of how rough she was with smears though but her new also female Doctor is fine

[Vicky.]

Yes, I have specifically said before when they have bollocked me about putting it off for so long, that thats why, and they just say that basically, its harder (physically) for some women, they dont know why

Oddly enough, when I was pregnant and had numerous large doctors hands right up there shifting stuff around, IIRC they actually stuck their fingers way in my cervix to jostle it around a bit to bring on labour? (theres a proper word for that but its not coming to me ) and it was nowhere near as bloody painful. But yeah, its 'normal' apparently.

When I have brought it up to the doctor who did it right, he just says its the nurses speciality and to listen to her...ugh

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by Vicky.

Yes, I have specifically said before when they have bollocked me about putting it off for so long, that thats why, and they just say that basically, its harder (physically) for some women, they dont know why

Oddly enough, when I was pregnant and had numerous large doctors hands right up there shifting stuff around, IIRC they actually stuck their fingers way in my cervix to jostle it around a bit to bring on labour? (theres a proper word for that but its not coming to me ) and it was nowhere near as bloody painful. But yeah, its 'normal' apparently.

When I have brought it up to the doctor who did it right, he just says its the nurses speciality and to listen to her...ugh

Nah, my mom used to be like you after a smear, changed Doc and now it's fine. The Doctors are just backing eachother up

[AnnieK]

Originally Posted by Vicky.

Yes, I have specifically said before when they have bollocked me about putting it off for so long, that thats why, and they just say that basically, its harder (physically) for some women, they dont know why

Oddly enough, when I was pregnant and had numerous large doctors hands right up there shifting stuff around, IIRC they actually stuck their fingers way in my cervix to jostle it around a bit to bring on labour? (theres a proper word for that but its not coming to me ) and it was nowhere near as bloody painful. But yeah, its 'normal' apparently.

When I have brought it up to the doctor who did it right, he just says its the nurses speciality and to listen to her...ugh

a sweep they call it I think.

Think Niamh is right, maybe a different Doc would be better for you?

[Vicky.]

Originally Posted by Niamh.

Nah, my mom used to be like you after a smear, changed Doc and now it's fine. The Doctors are just backing eachother up

Only way I can do this is to change GP surgeries totally, which apparently I cannot do as 'boundaries' :/ As I said, when trying to get the doc to do it I am directed to the nurse, told only she can. And only one of the nurses do smears, so its her or nowt. Will bite the bullet soon...but at the moment, have too many issues to be purposely bringing more pain and issues onto myself tbh

[Vicky.]

Yes, a sweep. I even searched 'when doctors put their hands up your vagina to bring on labour' and it didn't bring it up

[Cherie]

Originally Posted by Vicky.

I am actually long overdue mine, keep putting it off :/ For some reason it really ****ing hurts me though, others seem to find it uncomfortable but I swear its agony and I bleed for weeks afterwards too. Maybe my nurse is ****..oddly enough, when I have had it done by a (male) doctor, they are much much gentler and I don't get so much pain. Have been avoiding it for ages as when I did try to book with the doctor, I was told it had to be the nurse...I know its important...but it is something easy to talk yourself out of.

The nurse at our GP practice is a bloody butcher, I actually had to ask her to stop it was so painful, I went back and a female doctor did it and it was absolutely fine, I think sometimes nurses do it so often a bit like taking blood they just whack it in with no thought as its like they are on automatic pilot, ask for someone else, I will be next time

[Cherie]

Also and she did this last time I had one as well, she did an internal beforehand as it the thing itself isnt bad enough, she said it was so she would know where my cervix was .... the doctor didnt do that at all and managed to find it with no problem

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by Vicky.

Only way I can do this is to change GP surgeries totally, which apparently I cannot do as 'boundaries' :/ As I said, when trying to get the doc to do it I am directed to the nurse, told only she can. And only one of the nurses do smears, so its her or nowt. Will bite the bullet soon...but at the moment, have too many issues to be purposely bringing more pain and issues onto myself tbh

Oh yeah, we can go to whoever we like over here but we also have to pay for GP visits so........ although honestly from stuff I hear from you, I think I'd rather pay and have more control over something like my GP

[Toy Soldier]

Hello, my name is TS and today I'll be mansplaining vagina cancer.

*ahem*

If you and your partner have an HPV test and it's clear, you don't need smear testing unless you change partners (or suspect / find out your current one is cheating). The biopsies that are routinely carried out when abnormal cells (which usually turn out to be nothing) are found actually increase cancer risk themselves.

If you regularly change sexual partners / have multiple sexual partners then obviously regular testing is advisable. Otherwise, the odds of getting cervical cancer without having HPV are minuscule.

You're welcome, and enjoy your genitals.

*beep bop boop*

[Liam-]

Question, why can’t women under 25 have them? I mean, cervical cancer isn’t age restricted so younger women just have to wait until they’re diagnosed?

[Vicky.]

Originally Posted by Toy Soldier

Hello, my name is TS and today I'll be mansplaining vagina cancer.

*ahem*

If you and your partner have an HPV test and it's clear, you don't need smear testing unless you change partners (or suspect / find out your current one is cheating). The biopsies that are routinely carried out when abnormal cells (which usually turn out to be nothing) are found actually increase cancer risk themselves.

If you regularly change sexual partners / have multiple sexual partners then obviously regular testing is advisable. Otherwise, the odds of getting cervical cancer without having HPV are minuscule.

You're welcome, and enjoy your genitals.

*beep bop boop*

...if this is true, you have literally seriously helped my life.

I guess it also would depend on 100% knowing Gavs not sleeping around like, which while I trust him, leaving my health depending on him like that seems a bit daft..

[Vicky.]

Originally Posted by Liam-

Question, why can’t women under 25 have them? I mean, cervical cancer isn’t age restricted so younger women just have to wait until they’re diagnosed?

I think they can? Fairly sure I got my first one at 18, though..I did have an abortion a few years prior to that so I might have been classed as high risk or something? I thought it was that its not routine for younger people, but not sure.

[Toy Soldier]

Originally Posted by Liam-

Question, why can’t women under 25 have them? I mean, cervical cancer isn’t age restricted so younger women just have to wait until they’re diagnosed?

*boop bop beep*



The cervix isn't fully developed as the late stages of puberty are still ongoing in the early 20's, thus there are constant cellular changes in the cervix which were previously incorrectly picked up as abnormalities leading to unnecessary (and as above, not risk-free) invasive biopsy procedures. Thus, the age was increased.

For more interesting female reproductive system facts, visit TSgyno.com.

[Cherie]

Originally Posted by Toy Soldier

Hello, my name is TS and today I'll be mansplaining vagina cancer.

*ahem*

If you and your partner have an HPV test and it's clear, you don't need smear testing unless you change partners (or suspect / find out your current one is cheating). The biopsies that are routinely carried out when abnormal cells (which usually turn out to be nothing) are found actually increase cancer risk themselves.

If you regularly change sexual partners / have multiple sexual partners then obviously regular testing is advisable. Otherwise, the odds of getting cervical cancer without having HPV are minuscule.

You're welcome, and enjoy your genitals.

*beep bop boop*

well beep bop boop, I hate to break it to you but other things can grow in your cervix as well, like polyps which are better dealt with and removed rather than left in situ and also

Nearly all cervical cancers are caused by infection with certain types of HPV.

so not quite 100 per cent unless you think the NHS are rolling out this type of screening just for laughs

[Toy Soldier]

Originally Posted by Vicky.

...if this is true, you have literally seriously helped my life.

I guess it also would depend on 100% knowing Gavs not sleeping around like, which while I trust him, leaving my health depending on him like that seems a bit daft..

Well there is always that. You could just do abstinence though Vicky, Jesus would approve. It's why he invented STI's in the first place. To reduce sin.

[Cherie]

Originally Posted by Vicky.

...if this is true, you have literally seriously helped my life.

I guess it also would depend on 100% knowing Gavs not sleeping around like, which while I trust him, leaving my health depending on him like that seems a bit daft..

Are you really going not going to have test because someone on a reality forum told you not to

[Toy Soldier]

Originally Posted by Cherie

well beep bop boop, I hate to break it to you but other things can grow in your cervix as well, like polyps which are better dealt with and removed rather than left in situ and also

Nearly all cervical cancers are caused by infection with certain types of HPV.

so not quite 100 per cent unless you think the NHS are rolling out this type of screening just for laughs

Yes but the rate is far less than practically any other cancer, and we don't routinely screen every part of the body for cancer, we only keep an eye out for the common ones (i.e. breast cancer, testicular cancer, cervical cancer if you have HPV).

Basically, there's no more need to go for the test if you don't have HPV than there is any other rare cancer (which functionally means, no need). The ratio of false-positives (abnormal cells that are not cancer) vs actual cancer found is high enough that the invasive procedures (which increase cancer risk) actually make it MORE likely that you'll get cancer with screening than without, if you don't have HPV.