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First time nerves

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rachel052
rachel052

Hi all, I'm 26 (just about to turn 27) and living in Scotland and have been putting my first smear test off for 6/7 years. I've never been worried about it before but recently it has been playing on my mind and the risk I'm taking. But my nerves always get the better of me.

I'm going to bite the bullet and book in with the nurse this week but I just want to know about the correct etiquette. I tend to have extremely long periods, currently I'm on the 9th week of light bleeding but don't feel I can put off my smear any longer as I'm quite worried. I know it can't be pleasant for the nurse but will they be able to do the test? Also what is best to wear? Jeans/dress? How long should it take and is it as embarrassing as I'm imagining? I just don't know what to expect.

thanks ladies!

0 likes, 7 replies

7 Replies

  • eliz52
    eliz52 rachel052

    Posted

    I wouldn't panic Rachel, under an evidence based program screening is not even recommended before age 30. 

    In my opinion, the best program in the world for those women who wish to screen is found in The Netherlands, they've followed the evidence and put women first.

    Their new program will scrap population pap testing, which harms and worries so many women (and is a cruel burden for the 95% of women with no chance of benefiting) they'll offer 5 HPV primary tests or self-testing with the Delphi Screener at ages 30,35,40,50 and 60 and ONLY the roughly 5% who are HPV+ and at risk will be offered a 5 yearly pap test.

    This will save more lives and takes most women out of pap testing and harms way, false positives, colposcopy, excess biopsies and over-treatment are fairly common with population pap testing.

    If you decide to have a pap test, having one when you're menstruating is likely to lead to a re-test or false positive, not a good idea.

    • phoebewhite
      phoebewhite eliz52

      Posted

      I was always led to believe that if you are sexually active then you SHOULD be tested, I was tested long before I was 30.
    • eliz52
      eliz52 phoebewhite

      Posted

      That doesn't surprise me, many women are tested before age 30, do these countries have better results, less cervical cancer? No

      The country with the lowest rates of cc in the world is Finland, since the 1960s they've offered 5 pap tests, 5 yearly from 30 to 60.

      Not one country in the world has shown a benefit in terms of incidence or mortality from cc in women under 30, despite cervical screening, BUT young women produce the most false positives which can lead to potentially harmful over-treatment. Women under 25 produce the most false positives, 1 in 3 will be "abnormal"...false positives.

      Women should be asking why they're not being offered evidence based screening.

  • phoebewhite
    phoebewhite rachel052

    Posted

    This can't be done while you are bleeding, if I were you I would make an appointment to see your GP and talk to her/him as you shouldn't be bleeding for this long no matter how light it is, please get checked soon.
  • dollyhorse
    dollyhorse rachel052

    Posted

    Smears can be done during a period. It's true that was not possible a few years ago, but the equipment and testing has changed.

    It's now merely a preference for the patient, that's what my nurse tells me anyway.

    Wear whatever you feel comfortable in and what can be removed without fuss. If you are wearing a skirt, it's better to take it off as the fabric bunched up under your back or bottom may put you at an odd angle and therefore make it diffucult for nurse to find your cervix.

    You will have a paper sheet over your hips so you won't be completely exposed.

    Some areas now do a screening for HPV virus first. If you have HPV they look at your cells.

    If you don't have HPV they don't look at your cells. I am in an area where this is being done.

    You may bleed a little afterwards, this is normal and may last a couple of days and maybe require a panty liner.

    Your nurse will explain everything and answer any questions you have.

    Your results will take a couple of weeks, if this is any different the nurse will tell you.

    Good luck.

    • phoebewhite
      phoebewhite dollyhorse

      Posted

      You learn something new each day, I was always told not while you are bleeding though I haven't had it done anyway for about 7 years so things must have changed in that time.
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