5 minutes that could save your life!

HappyAlly55. This is an old thread dating back to 2017. You may do better with replies if you open a new thread

Sorry no advice or information, but sympathy and good luck with your colposcopy. I hope it's done soon so that you have a result quickly.

Regrettably I put off my later smear tests, always a reason not to go. During Covid I had done post menopausal bleeding which was investigated - dismissed as a hormone surge. The. Clinician’s ‘smear’ badge had expired and reminded me I should book one. I didn’t. Fast forward to now… at a pre-op fur knee replacement I was told my blood infection markers were raised and couldn’t be explained. In between I had a phone call from surgery to ask me to book a cervical smear and as I was 60 it would be my last one. So I did few weeks ago. It was over in minutes. Howe er yesterday I had a letter fast tracking me for a colposcopy as my smear showed the presence of active HPV (had prob been dormant for years) and high grade abnormal cells (the last stage of 3). So now I’m beside myself with fear and worry that it’s going to be the worst prognosis. Seems like my knees are the least of my worries. At 60 and pretty much being redundant‘down there’ I can’t believe this is happening.

Does anyone have any experience of their last smear being problematic?

hello Tiredoldwoman
You said that the last smear test is when you turn 60 do you live in the uk also have they stopped sending out letters

Re the article mentioned earlier - Dr Margaret McCartney was on the radio just before Christmas reiterating and updating... But as you say, it's a choice - and we should all actively make a choice, not just follow what's expected. We should have the screening that we feel we need - not just fall into "norms".

Glammy P good advice indeed yes smears are uncomfortable but just for a few minutes that's all... never ignore anything that worries you is my motto ....

The article mentioned was posted in 2012 and over the last three years there is an amazing amount of knowledge been gained about cervical cancer now. I totally agree that there is evidence of some cancers that testing can cause more harm than good and that it is totally a personal choice whether to be screened or not. However, if you are one of the undecided do make sure that you have all the facts. Visit Jo’s Cervical Cancer website, www.jostrust.org as that is the only dedicated website for the most up-to-date information on exactly where we are today with this disease. What with the progress of the HPV vaccine and more awareness being created cervical cancer, potentially could one day be eradicated!

I've just had an abnormal smear result with borderline changes and evidence of the HPV virus. I am now really worried and don't know what to do. Apparently the next step is for a colposcopy?

Hello,
Re Badenkate's comment... Here's an article about WHY one female GP is wary of screening and (mostly) chooses not to have screening tests herself.

www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/features/why-im-saying-no-to-a-smear-7577967.html

She says:
A study from Bristol in 2003 found that 1,000 women have to be screened for 35 years to prevent one death from cervical cancer; and to prevent that death, 80 women have to have further investigation, with 50 women having treatment to their cervices. Four out of five women found at screening to have "high-grade" changes in their cervix did not go on to develop invasive cancer.

I think it isn't such a clear cut issue as it appears at first glance. We should be able to weigh up the actual evidence for ourselves and make our own decisions about what is right for us.

I’m very glad this has got everyone talking about cervical screening. The final age for cervical screening in England is 64yrs and if you are told otherwise and you feel you should have one then argue! Regarding HPV, I believe that there is HPV testing along cervical screening in some areas and some cervical screening, that comes back abnormal will be checked for HPV. HPV is a very common virus and four out of 5 people will be infected at some point in their lives. From that first intimate fumble behind the bike sheds! It’s a skin to skin transmitted virus and normally healthy bodies will usually deal with it. However high risk HPV can cause changes to the cells of the cervix and if left untreated can become severe and could develop into cancer. There can be little or no symptoms so by saying that cervical screening might be an unwarranted health test could be dangerous. Thankfully the HPV vaccination remains high but a lot more needs to be done to make sure those eligible do take the full course and encourage their peers to do the same. Cervical screening is unpleasant but again its that 10mins that could save immeasurable unpleasantness in the long run!

Every single one of my smear tests has been painful. All have come back clear. Years ago, when they used metal speculums, and after long-lasting and incredibly painful ferreting about in my insides, it was decided I had a backward-sloping womb, and a sensible nurse found a differently shaped speculum which did the trick and got a sample very quickly.

That relief didn't last long. Last time I had a test, disposable plastic speculums were used and it was obvious that one size should fit all. The last smear test a few years ago was so difficult, painful and long-lasting that I vowed I would never have another one done. The nurse tried over ten times to get a sample, and her orders to "relax and let my knees flop" eventually dried up as it was apparent all her digging around inside was causing me pain, anxiety and certainly not hitting the spot. She was becoming flustered too. She apologised after the tenth attempt....and I asked if they had a bolster or pillow so I could raise and tilt my hips from the bed. There wasn't one, so with much difficulty I held my hips and raised my bottom off the bed, at an angle, and the speculum was delivered to the cervix.

What a painful and humiliating palava.

I have since learned the doctor/practice gets a financial bung if tests of various sorts are carried out.

I see the nurse regularly for various procedures and each time I am told a smear test is due. I am almost scolded for not taking up the offer there and then and making an appointment. I really am getting fed up with all the insistance that I should have one. Whatever happened to the freedom to choose? I know the nurses are only following orders but on nights out with my girlfriends we discussed this, and I was relieved that my friends, three of whom work in medical fields, also resented the insistence, for financial purposes, that they should have regular tests when previous ones had come back clear.

We've all had our 60th birthdays, we don't sleep around, we aren't nymphomaniacs and we've all suffered painful (or bodged) smear tests. We are all agreed that we will not have another one, no matter how much we are pestered at the various clinics we attend.

Having had two lots of treatment (laser and loop ) for precancerous cells in my 40's there's not a lot left of the neck of my womb and I alwaysask to be referred to the colposcopy clinic where the camera helps it to be less hit and miss! It's still agonising but over far quicker than at my GPs. It was curious that i was working in the print industry both times I had the abnormal cells - with a gap of 3 or 4 years in between -and my gynaecologist said that anecdotally testicular cancer was higher amongst male printers ..wonder if there's anything in it?

I can't remember when I last had a smear test - I think it's a few years ago though. I don't know how often they do them here. I've always found it painful due to a backward tilting cervix (apparently) and one time the doctor had to come in and try. On another preventative test my husband received his 2nd bowel screening test yesterday having just passed 62. He told me he didn't do the first one as he thought it was disgusting!!! I guess mine will be arriving next month when I hit 62 - I did do my first one though. I think it's really good that they do all these tests - mammograms included. I'm sure they must have saved more lives than not.

The number of women turning up for smear tests is falling. The blame is being squarely placed on lazy/busy women but there's are two sides to this. Here I'm seeing quite a few complaints about painful tests (it shouldn't be painful) and while my own GP is great, I have quite a few friends elsewhere who have been treated with less than good manners and inconsiderate roughness or thoughtless comments. Just imagine for a moment how frightening a smear test might be for a sixty year old single woman who has never been sexually active, and is expected to speedily throw her lower clothes off and spread her legs as if it's of no importance. I don't think enough thought goes into this in many surgeries.

Grandmattie, you are so right. My DH eventually went to see the GP because of too many trips to the loo in the night. He had a blood test and then a biopsy and was found to have early signs of Prostrate cancer. He is on a watch system and has regular check-ups and biopsies and is doing well. He is chairperson of the local Prostate Cancer Group and spends a lot of time trying to get the message over to others to have the blood test without delay if they have any worries. He has also warned the younger male members of the family to get themselves checked as it does affect younger men unfortunately and can be devastating as it can very aggressive in younger men. The survival rate if it is caught early is quite high. Pass on the message if you can - it saves lives and families!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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??

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.

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

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.

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.