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Upcoming smear test

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cabbage12
cabbage12

Hi there

I have my first smear test in the next few weeks and was wondering what to expect and if I'll be asked any questions whilst there.

Just so I can prepare and not panic on the day.

Thanks

0 likes, 5 replies

5 Replies

  • susan556
    susan556 cabbage12

    Posted

    HI there cabbage12

    Firstly how old are you? if you dont mind me asking presume your sexually active and have you had any babys at all, im asking these questions as i feel we can prepare you more. If you choose not to answer then all i can say for the first 40 years my experiences with having smear tests was pain free and minor discomort. All over in a few minutes. Just relax and let your self , your legs go floppy if you get my meaning.  Make sure your booked in with someone who has done this before for quite a while and knows what they are doing, you should be fine. If you have any more questions then please feel free to ask.

    Sue

  • cabbage12
    cabbage12

    Posted

    I am 20 years old ( the age for a first smear in scotland where I live). I am not sexually active but would like the smear anyway as a risk to me is still a risk no matter how big or small. 
    • eliz52
      eliz52 cabbage12

      Posted

      If you have never been sexually active, no genital contact, then you're exposing yourself to risk for no benefit.

      young women produce the most false positives of any age group, 1 in 3 WILL be "abnormal" in those under the age of 25, false positives caused by transient and harmless infections or the smear picking up normal changes in the maturing cervix. A false positive can mean referral for colposcopy and biopsy.

      scotland will stop screening women under the age of 25, think it's a couple of years away. 

      You should make enquiries before you test, why are they raising the screening age? Because screening before that age is pointless and exposes young women to risk.

      Actually the evidence does not support screening before 30, but some countries choose to start at 25. The evidence has moved on and now the best program in the world, in my opinion, is the new Dutch program, 5 HPV primary tests or HPV self testing at ages 30,35,40,50 and 60 and a 5 yearly smear will only be offered to the roughly 5% who are HPV+

      Most women are HPV- and cannot benenfit from smear testing.

      So if you're worried about risk, at 20 and never been sexually active, having a smear test carries a LOT more risk to your health.

  • Informed
    Informed cabbage12

    Posted

    I think it is appalling that women as young as yourself are getting invitations at age 20. You will have probably had the vaccine and if you have never been sexually active your risk of having acquired this disease is absolute total zero. As the above article says, Scotland will be raising the age to start screening to 25 on 1.4.2016. The reason for this is that research has proved that screening young women under 25 causes them harm, yet Scotland will continue to convince young women under 25 that they need this innaccurate harmful test for many more years to come. 

    Scottish women should be asking why these procedures are still being carried out on them, when the evidence has proved it is harmful at such a young age.

     

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