cervical smears

Where I used to live i was told they reduce the frequency after 50 because we are less likely to have a variety of sexual partners.

NfkDumpling - very simple to get a mammogram by self referral GP's receptionist should advise on this.

I was told I could have smear tests after 65 (my last was age 64) if I requested them. I think the same applied to mammograms. Both my parents died from cancer so I don't know if that was taken into account.

Great news ethel

my smear was ok thank goodness and I don't need any more

Ethel I went for mine today, I'm the same age as you and thank heavens this is my last too. As every one has been problematic.
Despite several attempts and much gritting of teeth on my part. I have to have the pesseries and go back for a repeat performance

My friend aged 74 told me that she had one 3 weeks ago. When I asked if she had requested it she said no but women are randomly called after the cut off age. I had never heard of this but she did say she was told this and had not requested it.

I just had my smear this week and I asked the nurse why it stops at 65 as im 61 and it will be my last one, she said she didn't know.

It has got more painful each time in the last few years but it was bearable. I was told that if it was too painful I could have a hormonal pessary to use for a week to open things up. ~as it happened I was able to tolerate it and she did the test , just waiting for results now.

I think it is because cervical cancer takes a lot time to develop from the stage of a positive smear with cancerous cells to actual life threatening cancer - so if someone has been having regular smears and they have been clear up to 65 then there is a low chance of them getting cancer in the next 10 - 15 years. Screening is aimed at picking up the very early stages.
Having said that more and more of us are surviving into our 80s and 90s and there are deaths from cervical cancer in that age group. Nearly all cancers increase in incidence with age.
It is hard to interpret the statistics, even though Cancer Research UK do their best to present them clearly.
I think it is also the case that taking a smear is harder in older women as the cervix is more tightly closed.

www.cancerresearchuk.org/health-professional/cancer-statistics/statistics-by-cancer-type/cervical-cancer/mortality#heading-One

I was told that the changes in the body make it irrelevant but feel that was some sort of excuse. My mother died of cervical cancer in her 70s so I would like some sort of test. The GP who is now retired examined me when I told him how I felt but that is not the same imo.

apparently not

Can you get them on demand, like mammograms over 70?