Cervical Cancer Screening Age
Other
In the UK you currently have to be aged 25 and over to be invited for a Smear test. Do you think this an appropriate age or should it be lowered to say 21 or 18 or lower?
I was just thinking about all of this since yesterday after I was came across a news link post whilst scrolling through FB
It was about a young mother (Alexandra Hudson) who died just recently at the age of 26 .. She was diagnosed in June 2018 for Cervical cancer (I'm not sure what stage)
Initially, when Alexandra first went to the nurse about the symptoms she was experiencing (pain during and after intercourse and bleeding in between her periods) .. Alexandra was told that they were just the normal side effects of the routine contraceptive pills she was taking..
Eventually, Smear test confirmed she had a tumor in her cervix.. Alexandra then had chemotherapy and radiotherapy.. her family set up a Gofundme page to raise money for immunotherapy ..as she was not deemed exceptional enough to have it by the professionals.. unfortunately, the immunotherapy was not working on Alexandra and she died aged 26 ..leaving behind her daughter aged 9, whom she was a single mother too..
I find this very sad .. Alexandra may have been saved if the eligible age for Smear tests were lowered .. and also more awareness to nurses to recognize that young females on contraception may indeed have the symptoms of cancer within them
I know contraceptive pills do increase the risk of certain female cancers .. so all in all I feel the smear test age should be lowered to 18 atleast
What do you feel about this?
It does need to be lowered I had one at 20 due to bleeding and lucky I did as had abnormal cells whice they burnt out. Then had one every year for 10 years now back every 3
the only way girls today can get done is by saying they bleed when not on a period yes lying don’t help but they get one.
petion to lower smear test On google few were rejected. The new hpv vaccines apparently have caused a lot of youngsters today to get cervical cancer.
Ann1984 it's interesting as it mentions that the HPV vaccine covers full protection for 4 of the 11 cancer causing strains .. the rest of the 7 strains not covered in the vaccine shot contribute to around 20% of the cancer causes .. so although the vaccine provides some level of protection, it isn't perfect and so screening is still paramount x
I think you should be invited from the age of 16, if you aren't sexually active then you can at least talk to the nurse about the symptoms, how to spot them, what to expect when you get your smear test.
Before the age changed, it used to be 21 in Scotland as that was when I was first invited for mine. I've been to every single one of mine. My Granny never had a smear in her life, she died of cervical cancer when I was 10, my mum had to have suspicious cells removed when she was younger, before she had me, so I always go for mine! I agree it should be earlier than it is, same with breast cancer screening.
I personally think that the age for smeat tests should be lowered. I only had my first 1 done last year about a week after 25. My friend still hasnt had her first 1 done yet and she is almost 26. She complains that I nag too much its only becuase I care.
Nadiaparveen i try tell her this all the time but as per usual she went to uni and I didnt so she makes out its fine and dandy and she doesnt need to go, as she knows better.
chelseaturpin unless she went to uni to become a nurse or dr, she does not know better than you on something like this! And if she did go to become a nurse or dr, then she should know how important it is to get tested!
MrsCraig I agree with what you are saying but shes the type that it goes through 1 ear and out of the other.
they claim young ladys bodys go through many changes and this can effect the smear results
Please never feel embarrassed about smear tests it's just takes a few mins and could save lives and yes I agree 100%it should be lowered to an age of 18
I think if someone takes contraceptive pills they should have the test because the risk is higher and they take the pills for a reason.
Absolutely should be lowered. I would say to at least 18. My best friend is a gyno nurse. So she performs smears pretty much on a daily basis. She has mentioned frequently the raising number of ladies they are seeing with abnormal cells or cervical / ovarian cancer in their early twenties. My mother in law is a cancer survivor due to smears. She had no symptoms before her diagnosis. She had to have a hysterectomy & chemo. Nobody enjoys going for a smear but they are so important ladies.
I know you would not have got me to go at 16 for smere test I'm not happy going at 42. Just before anyone says I'm just immature I had treatment for low level problems (nurse said later unusual for some one my age at time to be given treatment for so small a promlem) then went to Ireland years ago and ended up losing lots of blood and in hospital
I think it should be lowered. I also feel it should be more often. I feel that it should yearly. At least for women with family history of cancers.
tracisinclair01 I agree so much! Cancer can come in-between the periods of the tests and depending on the form .. it can grow and spread rapidly
What gets me is with today's generation they think they know everything and nothing will attack them like with the coronavirus, but are willing to drop their draws but not have a quick examination. Nothing to be embarrassed about nurses see all sorts they just doing a job and protecting you.
I had pre-cancerous cells at 23. And I had to fight to get a smear test done. I think it should be lowered.
I heard that age is based at 25 due to legal age of consent and it taking 10 years to develop..
However this doesn't take into consideration those had sex before 16 or those who were sexually abuse.
Very interesting although I first had problems in early 20 and wasn't doing anything I should not have before age of consent
Imnotcheap to be honest I dont know how true it is. But thats what I was told when I kicked off about it x
Never had any problems but always had been attending on the appointments when I had been called. 6 months after you give a birth you attend again. After my second baby they noticed abnormalities and I had minor surgery a month ago.
Please take the things serious as it might become cancer in 10 to 15 years if not treated.
I just turned 32 years this month.
AnaMari ohh I'm glad you've had surgery done for it .. must have been worrying to hear xx
Yes it's stressful but if we go regularly for check ups for our health in general we can prevent serious issues to happen.
I need to go in 5 months for screening to see how it is. is it OK or no. fingers crossed.
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