5 minutes that could save your life!

Woman's Hour this morning - a scientist talking about how smears should be phased out as the vast majority of cervical cancers arise from HPV (Human papilloma virus) - the idea is to test for this but I was not clear as to how this might be done. At present there are a lot of repeat smears and minor surgeries that could be avoided. She was of course encouraging parents to make sure their teenage girls had the free HPV immunisation at school.

Apparently the number of Cervical cancers that are not related to HPV are vanishingly small.

There seems to be a wide-ranging debate at the moment about testing apparently healthy people for diseases for which they have no symptoms. The concern is that there are a significant number of people who undergo further, possibly invasive, tests which can have associated stress or even serious medical repercussions for what turn out to be false positives. I know that the test for prostate cancer, for example, was desgned for confirming a diagnosis, not detecting it, and that the scientist responsible is very unhappy about the way that it is now being used. The argument, I guess, is that tests should be used to confirm diagnosis from symptoms, not haphazardly search for possible problems. Of course, there is now a lot of money involved in persuading people to have a whole battery of tests.
Don't know how other people feel?

BadenKate I am with you all the way. About 5 years ago, I went to my doctor with some worrying symptoms, she could find nothing obviously wrong but equally obviously felt she had to do something, not sure why. I had a battery of tests including a CT scan that produced no explanation for my original symptoms but discovered two minor physical problems, both of which dated back years. One was the internal 'scarring' from a childhood problem that had been sorted when I was 13. Both conditions symptomless, non-progressive and not requiring medication.

The result? I now have an annual medical check to check that they have not got 'worse', no they haven't, why should they? Plus having to explain to health insurance companies all about the tests, the symptoms and ending up with extra exclusions put on my health insurance.

I wish the doctor had been happy with the usual blood and urine tests and monitoring the symptoms, that disappeared of their own accord after a few months. the battery of tests revealed nothing useful and have just caused me problems.

I went for my smear in November. The nurse couldn't get a sample. I was prescribed hormone pessaries for 2 mths and went for a second try last week, she still couldn't get a sample and it was bloody painful and sore for a couple of days afterwards both times. I'm 62 tomorrow so she said it was up to me if I wanted to be referred to a hospital clinic. I can't decide.

Gosh , I had one 2 years ago and was told that next year's smear test would be my last one as they stop offering them at 60 years old !

The cut off is 65.

Hi nina. I've just done a google search on painful smear tests, and believe me, you're not alone. I had my last one done at 60 - 8 years ago. I was told that they didn't recall after that. I'd never had any negative results, and I've not noticed any problems since. It is up to you and how confident you'd feel if you didn't go again. Personally, it hasn't worried me in the slightest.

I had my last one at 61 so thats 6yrs ago , I never had a worrying result and no symptoms of anything so I haven't bothered since. I believe you can request one if you want at your GP's surgery.

I had an appointment for my routine smear test this morning at 08.30. On Friday I was sent a text cancelling my appointment as the nurse had rung in sick for Monday (on Friday is she clairvoyant). I was not offered another appointment- I rang the surgery and rebooked myself but waited quite a long time on the phone no wonder women fall through the net.

I've not had a smear test for over 20 years, since having a hysterectomy which removed everything, including the cervix . Mind you, I've often wished I hadn't had it, given the knock on effects of everything in that area - bladder, bowel etc, shifting and settling into different positions afterwards .

It must be a postcode thing because they nurse told me last week that as I will be over 65 when due in five years this would be the last time they called me.
Badenkate you've made up my mind. I've never had symptoms so at 62 I won't bother with a third attempt.

The last time I went it was really uncomfortable. The nurse had trouble trying to find my cervix which had sort of slipped back and I was having problems with the Atrophic Vaginintis and was quite sore.
Horrible.

having had a total hysterectomy at 47 because of ovarian cancer i had everything "taken out" [i'd had my tubes removed several years before because of an ectopic pregnancy in one and problems with the other] so i've not had a smear test since then [i'm now 68]. thankfully the cancer was completely removed and i didn't have to have any further treatment as it was caught in the very early stages.

it's all thanks to my gp and the hospital for getting everything sorted out - i don't think i'd be here now if my gp hadn't sent me to the hospital when he did!

but i would urge everyone to have a smear test for as long as you can - cancer is horrible and the repercussions from it can be devastating both on you and your family - the same goes for mammograms! i make sure i go to my appointments and will still book myself in when my "time limit" for them is reached.

although i've yet to do one of those bowel cancer tests - i'm not able to retrieve a sample several days running [won't go into too much detail] and so i'm waiting for a test which can be done at the hospital [i think it's being trialled at the moment].

Believe me, the prostate test does save lives!!! My DH is an example.

I was going for my smear and told DH that, at 59, he ought to have a PSA for prostate cancer. He told me not to be so silly, that he had no symptoms, that he got up twice a night, but then so did I and I don't have a prostate, yadda, yadda, yadda. Neverthelss, I booked an appointment for his [blood] test at the same time as my [invasive] smear!

It cam back with a very high PSA, he was sent for all the tests, he had the invasive type. Since then he has had a radical prostatectomy, radiation, hormone treatment and is very well, although he will never be in remission.

Had I not insisted on the test, he would have been long dead.

Hurray for PSAs! and, bless him, he puts his survival on my insisting on him being tested at the same time as me.

In our area the last test is at age 70. I missed the last one because at an earlier one they found a polyp, took a biopsy and said they'd do no more if it was ok. The biopsy was clear but in spite of that they still wanted to remove it which involved a small op' under anaesthetic. I told the doctor it was a waste of time and money,and after it was done he said I was right. Unfortunately nowadays they are afraid of being sued, although that doesn't seem to apply to some GP's who just want to go through the motions and get you out of the door in ten minutes.

Basically, if you have had regular smears and they have all been normal, especially the last 2 before the age of 65, it shouldn't be necessary after that. The reason being that any changes which happen then would be unusual, and would happen so slowly that it's unlikely to have an adverse effect. That's not to say that any symptoms happening after this shouldn't be investigated, but those investigations would be more involved than a simple smear. The important thing is those smears before 65, and if you haven't had those, then definitely get the last 2 done.

They might stop calling you but you are completely within your rights to request one. Same goes for breast screening.

I had to have 2 tries to get my last smear- it was so painful & they said my cervix was in an awkward angle s they could not do it. Never had a problem ever before. They gave me pessaries to use for a month & suggested I use Vagisil for 2 weeks before the next one. Next time was less painful but the pessaries had left a residue so it was impossible to get a clean sample. Had to wait 8 weeks still using the stuff but stop 48 hours before next try & that time was fine- no pain at all but a different nurse who said my cervix was exactly where it should be & everything was fine. As I am 64 this will be last one but if anyone is worried you can buy the Vagisil over the counter & it really helped. Just remember to stop using it 48 hours before.

When I was treated for cervical cancer, back in the 80's it was my understanding that one form, at least, is sexually transmitted.

(My first husband's first wife had also required treatment for cervical cancer.... though of course I didn't learn that till much later.)

QED if you have never had problems with previous tests, and there have been no changes in your own and your partner's sexual activities, then smear test results should not suddenly start showing problems??

After a unsuccessful smear nurse told me it was my last anyway I was 62yrs seems it's a post code thing ?

This is indeed a timely remind of the 5 minute that can save your life. The thing about the 'worried well' is that they are well! I keep up with my smear tests and my breast cancer screenings. In fact, with the latter, I have had lumps identified and a biopsy done. Luckily I am just a 'lumpy' person with nothing worse present in that particular screening. My poor DH, however, has just had prostate cancer screening for abnormalities which involved a scary MRI and a day surgery biopsy. Hopefully, all's well.

I would urge everyone on this site to keep up the vigilance.

Some areas of the country are test areas for testing for HPV when they take your cervical smear sample they test it for HPV. I believe they will role this out over the country.

HPV can lead to abnormal cells which can lead to cancer and needs to be kept an eye on. HPV cannot be cured but the body usually rids itself of the virus. (there are lots of different strains they cause warts and verrucas). The abnormal cells can be dealt with and before possibly turning cancerous

One theory is that the virus comes back rather like chicken pox or shingles does when you are older. But it can be sexually transmitted and it can live on the skin so close contact can spread it.

Having said all that I am putting off having a smear and I shouldn't. I think by writing all of this I have talked myself into making that appointment!

Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust has lots of good well written information. I just happened to be looking at it yesterday. And no I am nothing to do with the Trust just a person who is trying to get to grips with her health having turned 60.

Yes, it's definitely a postcode thing. I was told my last one was at 57years.
I would like to have had them for much longer as I am a firm believer in prevention is better than cure philosophy.

Why don't they have a cut of point for all women in the UK, unless, of course, there are problems that need special investigation.

It all comes down to cost, I guess.

A painful smear ended up with me having a non-malignant large tumour removed as part of an investigation for ovarian cancer. It also resulted in a diagnosis of fibroids and endometriosis.

The smear (and all subsequent smears) was eventually done using a narrow speculum (the instrument used to carry out the smear). You have to ask for a narrow speculum to be used, but it might help if you're having a problem. I was told a smear test should not be painful.