As September is Gynacological awareness month, I'm going to be writing about something a little off my usual topics. Smear tests!!
Oh my Lordy, my heart dropped when my smear letter came through just before my 25th birthday. Not the best of birthday presents I'll admit, but one that was very much welcomed.
There was no doubt in my mind that I wasn't going to have it, although I put it off for a while; we have this amazing opportunity to catch this life threatening illness before it has time to destroy lives...who wouldn't attend!? Apparently 1 in 4 women still choose not to get a smear when invited.
Here's some facts to get you thinking:
- Cervical cancer is the most common cancer in women under 35.
- An estimated 4,500 lives are saved each year due to having the ability to carry out smear tests.
- Since cervical screening has become available, the cervical cancer rates have halved.
I personally decided no matter how bad it was, I was willing to go through the 5 minutes of whatever it was going to feel like than go through the possibility of cancer. I had seen the above poster at my place of work and it gave me the drive I needed to stop putting it off.
The invitation letter basically asks you to make an appointment. There usually is a 2-3week waiting list due to the GP surgery only having a handful of nurses who perform the procedure, so ring up and make that appointment as soon as you feel ready.
Within the envelope of your invitation for your smear there is a handbook that tells you everything you need to know about having the smear. Give this a good read before you go, there's nothing worse than entering into the unknown when you have a choice to know what's coming.
So how bad was it? Nowhere near as bad as people say!!
I personally chose for my partner to come to the GP surgery with me as I needed somebody to keep me calm in a place I usually feel very anxious in (even when I'm not having a procedure). He didn't come into the room with me when it was taking place, however I felt better knowing he was supporting me through it.
The actual procedure was fine. I found that the speculum part wasn't painful at all and the scraping of cells was just a strange, inner vibration sort of feeling.
It's discomfort rather than pain. I found the worst part was how exposed I felt in front of a stranger!!
After the smear, I bled a little. Nothing major and nowhere near as heavy or as long as a normal period. This spotting lasted for the most of the day but I've heard you can have spotting for a few days afterwards.
Results take 2-3 weeks. You'll be written to and a copy will go to your GP.
Thankfully my test sample was clear meaning I'm at a low risk of having cervical cancer at this stage. I'll be invited back within 3-5 years for my next check.
I hope this post makes those in doubt think harder about their decision and those that have opted to have a smear to feel less afraid (we've all heard the same horror stories and found shocking results on Google).
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