Smear Tests

witchity

Does anybody have any idea how long it takes to get the results of a smear? I've just had my first one and after 12 weeks there are still no results - is this the norm??

r3nu4l

It does depend on the lab they go to but I don't think it should take much longer than 12 weeks, contact your GP or clinic and ask.

Faith

Yeah, I think it usually takes a fairly long time. 12 weeks is pretty standard, I think, but it shouldn't be much longer.

Also, unless there's something wrong, your GP is unlikely to ring you with the results. You should ring them if you want to know, but assume no news is good news. My GP has certainly never called me about my results.

DrIndy

Don't be too concerned about getting smear test results early, the results of a smear test show dysplastic or abnormal, precancerous cells - these take up to 10 years for 30% of them to turn into cancer. Hence the importance of smear tests as cervical cancer has a 100% cure rate if detected on a smear test as treatment is very straightforward and easy.

Call your GP for results.

hunnymonster

Is the delay something to do with the test itself or under-resourcing of the labs? After a couple of abnormal tests and some not-too-plesant surgery, I had my 6 month check-up done in september. There are still no results back (I checked today). I'm not really worried but until I heard for sure it crops up at the back of my mind every so often.

r3nu4l

It's a combincation of being under-resourced and the way the tests are done.

As far as I am aware the nature of the testing means that a lot of the (regular) screening is done by microscopy and takes time. Screening staff can only do a certain number of screens a day to keep them fresh and avoid making mistakes.

If there aren't enough screeners then results will take time. I'm not sure but I thought that if results were abnormal, then re-tests were pushed to the top of the queue? As this is a follow-up on surgery you may be back in the regular queue.

As DrIndy said, call your GP for advice and an update! Explain that you are waiting since September and are concerned since this is your first test since your surgery.

hunnymonster

I did call the GP and the receptionist was quite rude. She must of been having a bad day because they are usually very professional in the place I use. I did explain that I was told it would take about 10 weeks. She said it is currently 12 weeks for the RCSI and the results would be back in the new year. I did try to expalin that the middle of september +12 weeks is now but she wasn't having any of my mathematics.

Tree

some places have backlogs running into months, most cytology departments are understaffed and underfunded and can't afford to replace the microscopy methods in use. Some labs are trying to get flow cytometry online but these machines are very expensive to get and run

hunnymonster

So to update, the september results are back today and they're abnormal, as usual, so it's back to the consultant for coloscopy/leetz again.

<rant>I wish someone could give me more concerte information though. All I get told is "this happens lots of women".... "lots" of people get really ill every year and lots of people don't. It doens't really tell me anything. <rant over>

r3nu4l

Sorry to hear it's abnormal again, my gf had two 'unclear' results in a row and thankfully the third was normal but she was getting very fed up with repeated visits for a test that isn't exactly pleasent!

The only way to really understand what's going on is to ask persistent questions. If you have an abnormal result and have to go for another test always ask the doctor/nurse performing the test. Ask them to explain exactly how 'abnormal' the results were. Were they borderline abnormal or the far side of whacky?

Ask what the percentages are, and don't allow yourself to be fobbed off by the usual 'lots of...'. A lot of GP's and even surgical consultants are reluctant to go into too much detail with patients for a number of reasons but if you want answers then just pin them down.

Kkeep niggling and asking questions...but be pleasant and patient, remember that they are trying to explain complex information in a simple way without over-simplifying the case. Best of luck with your next visit.

hunnymonster

thanks. I do try to pin them down but there is a general reluctance to give concrete information. I have no idea if this has to do with
the inexactness of the tests/precedures,
the lack of statistics out there or known by the doctors or
them trying to keep it simple.

It's unlikely to be the third as I take my medic partner with me (and I have a fair bit of knowledge myself)

r3nu4l

Well, having a medic with you and having good knowledge yourself should make the doctor very happy to deal with you.

I recently accompanied my father-in-law to hospital when his mother had a tumor removed. At first the surgeon was giving the run-around but when I started asking about the tumor size and signs of angiogenesis or distant metastases he quickly changed his tune and was very happy to provide me with masses of information:)

It may be that they are still unsure themselves and don't want to commit to anything. Statistics are available but again not every GP is going to know these off the top of their heads and it would probably take a database search to bring them up.

As for having another coloscopy and LEETZ done, well remember that sometimes LEETZ is performed as a precautionary measure even if there is no concrete diagnosis of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. It might be an idea to ask for a breakdown of the results from the last coloscopy and LEETZ you had done? I'd better be careful about posting anything else in case I stray across the thin lines of the charter Good luck!

chuci

in cork im still waitin gfor my results and its six months done the line and mine is marked urgent as it has affected two relatives in my family. its a total joke.

r3nu4l

Chuci, have you contacted your GP, six months is a very, very long time to be waiting, especially if it was supposed to be urgent?

I wouldn't necessarily worry about it yet but I would contact your GP/clinic and tell them how long you have been waiting. Ask when you can expect them back. Be polite but firm in your request.

Tree

6 weeks is the current backlog on urgents in cork. over sixmonths for the standard ones, they're training ppll as fast as they can but it takes up to two years to properly train a screener.

by the by, the policy on abnormals in cork is mild, call back in six months, if still abnormal three times send for colposcopy. moderate or severe send straight for colposcopy. there's a few reasons to flag a smear. they would have been noted on the report

chuci

thanks for the info tree never knew it took that long to train someone to check out smears

Schlemm

Just wondering...do they re-use the equipment from a smear test eg speculums etc?

Tree

i know they reuse teh microscopes

speculums and spatulas are all disposable these days. not too sure about how much of the colposcopy equipment is disposable but you can be sure anything taht must be reused would be appropriately treated