It's a life saver (NHS Cervical Screening Programme)

Member Name: Squiddly450

Product:	NHS Cervical Screening Programme
Date:	10/02/09 (91 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: It's a life saver

Disadvantages: None

Cervical Screening seems to be one of the taboo medical subjects and I'd like to share my experiences in the hope of getting more ladies to make appointments.

I work in a medical centre and our nurse had been badgering me for about six months to make an appointment for a smear (I was 26 and had one previously at the age of 20, before they upped the age in England). Us girlies go to a different med centre about 10 miles away for girly stuff, so eventually I made my appointment and off I trundled. It's a bit embarrassing when the receptionist asks you in front of a waiting room of soldiers, "what are you here for?" but I got over that and waited to be called in.

There was a trainee nurse and I was asked if I minded her doing the test-not at all, we all have to start somewhere. It's not painful at all, possibly a bit embarrassing but they have seen it ALL before and for them it's just another day at work.

So I leg it as soon as possible and the test results didn't even cross my mind. Imagine my shock when the nurse called and said that my test was "abnormal" and I'd need another one in 6months.

November came and I duly made my repeat smear appointment (having googled it in the mean time, about 70% return to "normal in 6months), not overly concerned about the results, just not looking forward to getting my lady garden out again!

Test done, off I go without a care in the world.

Skip to the day before xmas eve, my hubby and I are driving to his sister's house and stop for a coffee. I looked at my phone and see 3 missed calls and an answer phone message from the "duty doctor" at the medical centre.

I called him back and he said "we've got your results, they show severe dyskaryosis and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia class 3, we need to refer you to the hospital ASAP". GULP.

So I chatted to him, no children, hubby has had a vasectomy, Im fit and well, no medication family history blah blah blah....... and he refers me by fax.

Needles to say, I was a bit concerned over Xmas and as soon as I got back to work, there was an appointment waiting for me to see the Gynae consultant for "colposcopy". Yikes, this is where they ispect your bits and pieces using a microscope, and they put different dyes onto your cervix to visualise the abnormal areas. Despite being a warry type ruffty tuffty soldier (not) I cried the whole way through this appointment. Hubby was amazing and held my hand throughout.

I got dressed again and waited to speak to the consultant about what he saw- " there is a large area of abnormality that we will need to remove under GA" "If we don't take it away, there is a high probability it will turn into cancer" "once we have removed it, it will be examined under a microscope to ensure that we got it all, you will need 6monthly check ups and you won't be able to have sex for 4-6weeks".

So two weeks ago I was admitted to hospital for my biopsy and now I am awaiting my results, praying that it was early and (unlike Jade Goody) I won't need any further treatment.

What if I'd waited another 6months to go for a smear?

Ladies, swallow your pride and get yourself to the Drs, it's not worth losing your life over the embarrassment of getting your bits out in front of a nurse.

www.jotrust.co.uk is the most amazing website.

It's three weeks now and still no results. :o(
OK, three weeks and 2 days, got my results. They got it all :o) and I have to go back in 6months for another horrid appointment. SOoooooooooooooo happy, celebrating with wine :o).

Summary: Don't be a prude, get your bits out