Another failed smear test attempt

that is awful! Did you know that many female medics decline smear testing due to its lack of benefit? might this be bleeding associated with ovulation?

For a start you need a new GP, symptomatic women do not need screening tests, they need diagnostic tests, so it's good you've been referred to a specialist.

There IS something better than pap tests, much better, that's HPV primary and HPV self-testing. Those women who prefer self-testing (no speculum exam) can simply test themselves reliably and easily. The new Dutch program will replace their 7 pap test program, 5 yearly from 30 to 60, now they'll offer 5 HPV primary tests or self-test with the Delphi Screener at ages 30,35,40,50 and 60 and ONLY the roughly 5% who are HPV+ will be offered a 5 yearly pap test. (until they clear the virus) MOST women are HPV- and having unnecessary pap testing and many end up having excess biopsies and being over-treated. It should be a scandal, so many women worried and harmed unnecessarily.

I've heard of women considering a GA to have a pap test, that's seems like madness to me when the risk of cc is remote, it's always been a rare cancer, lifetime risk is less than 1% (0.65%) There is probably greater risk with a GA.  

At the very least women considering a GA should self-test for HPV first, most will be HPV- and therefore cannot benefit from pap testing.

Many women could just self-test once and if HPV- and no longer sexually active or confidently monogamous, might choose to stop all further testing.

The new Dutch program will save more lives and takes most women out of pap testing and harms way.

I'm 56 and have never had a pap test, the numbers didn't work for me, near zero risk of cc or 77% lifetime risk of referral for colposcopy and at least a biopsy, I'm not prepared to accept much risk at all to screen for a rare event. Now I know I'm HPV- and cannot benefit from pap testing.

I'd urge every woman to get informed and understand what you're agreeing to, I doubt many women would then agree to a GA to have a pap test or put themselves through hell with this testing. Older/post-menopausal women often suffer with speculum exams, the pap test can be intolerable. It's cruel not to offer these women HPV self-testing, almost all will be HPV-...all women should be free to self-test, if that's their preference.

I think perspective has been lost with this testing, the risk of the cancer has been exaggerated and there is enormous pressure to test, it's rarely promoted as a choice, more an order. There are far better ways to deal with this remote risk for those who wish to screen, but politics, hype and vested interests will ensure this misery continues until enough women walk away and demand something better. The law and proper ethical standards says screening is our choice, informed consent is our legal right.

Good luck with the specialist.

Tampap is available in the UK, I understand that's a tampon-type HPV test.

Also, the Netherlands is not far from the UK, you might be able to source the Delphi Screener. I know some Aussie women who've ordered it by email and then posted their sample back to Singapore. The Screener is available in a few countries now.

We have a local distributor now, but it's been kept very quiet and you have to access the Screener through your GP, this makes some women nervous as some doctors would simply use this as an opportunity to pressure you into pap testing.

I know one of my colleagues plans to continue testing when she's working in Singapore so she's not pressured to join our program. 

Of course, if you have symptoms, you don't need a pap test, but need a proper assessment. 

If women are worried about this rare cancer, then they should find a way to test for HPV, then you know where you stand, HPV- or HPV+

HPV- women cannot benefit from pap testing and might simply re-test in 5 or 10 years time (depending on your age) to check for a new infection, unless they're confidently monogamous or no longer sexually active, in which case they might choose to forget all further testing.

What is PTSD please...the acronym...i may know the condition....but not necessarily of course!

oh ok post traumatis stress disorder. You have had an incident or some shock to the system?

congrats

love m xxxxxxxxxxx