Age Discrimination for smear testing

LegacyUser

Ladies,
I just want to share with you my experience today when i attended my Coloscopy app.
Im 22 and went to see a GP, Dr X (not my usual GP Dr Y) for a 2nd opinion. I was bleeding after sex and in quiet a bit of pain for few days after. Straight away DR X said do a smear test but you will have to pay, I said fine just to get myself sorted so paid my €40 smear fee and €60 doctors fee. 3 weeks later i get the call i need referral for further testing. I was scared to say the least as I am only 22. Off I went today worried about it trying to calm down. So I arrived at reception only to be treated like crap!! Oh your only 22 why are you in, I was thinking non of your business you do your job and the doc will look after me, but politely said doctor referral! I went into the doctor and she was like why did you get a smear your only 22 your very young dont think anything be wrong but we will check. After all was said and done I have to return again in 2months for further testing.
Now what annoys me is certain doctors attitudes towards smears to under 25s? Tell me what have they got to lose if a patient comes to them with certain sympthoms only to be refused point blank because of age? Is this not discrimination by both the doctors and HSE?? Oh and I changed from Dr Y to Dr X cos Dr Y flipped when they found out i went to Dr X! Sorry about the long rant..
Opinions on the matter please?

tan11ie

Just had a conversation about this last night!

A friends Daughter (21) went to see the local GP to get a smear done and she was turned away.She was told that she was to young!!!! I actually couldn't believe this, i always thought that smears should be carried out once you are sexually active and on the pill..

I checked it out here and it seems 25 is the screening age in Ireland..personally i think it should be lowered to 21...

Cupcake_Crisis

Thats a ridiculous way to be treated! I always thought you had to get smear test's if you were on the pill no matter how old you were!

Acoshla

When I was 24 I had similar symptoms to you, not as much pain but still enough to worry me. I was not on the pill but had previously been for 6 years and was sexually active since I was 16. I was also sick with a severe kidney infection and panic attacks at the same time (turns out they were ALL stress related actually) so when I was in a particularly bad state one day (shaking, pale, on the verge of tears) I walked into my GP's which is next door to my house and asked the receptionist if I could possibly book a smear test for the same day, I would happily pay for it because I wasn't 25, I was in bits worrying what might be wrong with me and as the GP had told me I was "fine, just needed to relax" it hadn't helped, I thought I was losing it.

Anyways the receptionist actually scoffed at me, this kind of snigger, and said "Do you have any idea how busy the nurses here are? You can't just come in and make an appointment!". Now, this is a GP practice in a town of 6,000 people and 3 other medical centres, how feckin busy can they be? She said she'd get the nurse to phone me later. The nurse did phone me, told me to register with cervical check, wait for the letter from them, then call them for an appointment. When I pointed out I was 24 she basically said I shouldn't be getting a smear and to wait until the next year to get the free one, she actually said I couldn't get one without registering.

I went to my real GP in my home county and the nurse couldn't believe what they'd said, told me to call the Family Planning Clinic and I had an appointment for a smear test 3 days later, which I paid hardly anything for and had the results the next week.

I understand where they're coming from if someone is totally healthy and they don't feel they need a smear. But if a girl is having pain, irregular bleeding, bleeding after sex etc, clearly there is *something* wrong with them, even if minor, surely better to check it out than chastise the girl for (shock horror) worrying about their health??

metrovelvet

Irish medicine strikes again.

Dont listen to them. Get your smears done and tell them you didnt ask for their opinion just their services.

In the US you generally start when you are 16. They dont go by the 'sexually active' question in case you are lying, they just check you out anyway.

paperclip2

A friend of mine was recently told by the Rotunda that up to the age of about 25 there is a high chance that abnormal test results will occur due to the production of some hormone or other. The levels drop after 25 so thats why many docs don't see the value in referring younger women for smears.

Kooli

paperclip2 wrote: »

A friend of mine was recently told by the Rotunda that up to the age of about 25 there is a high chance that abnormal test results will occur due to the production of some hormone or other. The levels drop after 25 so thats why many docs don't see the value in referring younger women for smears.

From the cervical check website:

"In women under the age of 25, minor changes in the cells of the cervix are common but invasive cancer is extremely rare. Population based screening in women under the age of 25 may lead to many women receiving unnecessary treatment for lesions that would never have developed into invasive cancer."

That to me makes perfect sense, and to be honest I hate the indignant attitude some people have when a doctor won't do exactly what they want exactly when they want it. You do know they have a huge amount of training and expertise behind them, right? (yes, I know they sometimes get it wrong, but is that enough reason for them to take on a policy of doing everything test an anxious patient requests?)

Acoshla

paperclip2 wrote: »

A friend of mine was recently told by the Rotunda that up to the age of about 25 there is a high chance that abnormal test results will occur due to the production of some hormone or other. The levels drop after 25 so thats why many docs don't see the value in referring younger women for smears.

Yes but if a woman is having pain or bleeding that is abnormal for her surely it should be checked out? I couldn't even get an examination never mind a smear test.

paperclip2

Spadina wrote: »

Yes but if a woman is having pain or bleeding that is abnormal for her surely it should be checked out?

I'm simply saying what my friend was told but yes, if there are unusual symptoms then common sense would indicate further investigation one would think.

Kooli

Spadina wrote: »

Yes but if a woman is having pain or bleeding that is abnormal for her surely it should be checked out? I couldn't even get an examination never mind a smear test.

Yes definitely an exploration or examination of some sort, but I don't think it's up to the patient to decide what form that takes. You definitely should have got something.

But didn't it turn out your GP was actually right and it was about relaxation/stress, you didn't actually need a smear test?

witchgirl26

I had a 3 smears before the age of 25 & only just got called for my free one under cervical check. The main reason I went before for them was that my mam had had pre-cancerous cells a number of years back so I was advised by my GP to get them (same GP for whole family & known him all my life practically). It was one of the other GP's who did the smear (female doctor) and told me that it was responsible to get them done but that abnormal results are common in younger women due to hormone changes etc. On my last smear, bout 2 years ago, I was told that the doctors weren't allowed send in private smear tests themselves and was told that if I wanted it tested, I'd have to drop the sample into the Rotunda myself.

I don't think it's discrimination in relation to age. The most at risk age group is the 25-49 ages which is why the free smears start at 25. We based our screening process on the NHS which also starts at 25. Yes GP's should be willing to carry out smears for a fee for those who are under that & wish to get them but I don't necessarily agree that they should be free. You should though not be treated as an idiot for wanting one though.

Acoshla

Kooli wrote: »

Yes definitely an exploration or examination of some sort, but I don't think it's up to the patient to decide what form that takes. You definitely should have got something.

But didn't it turn out your GP was actually right and it was about relaxation/stress, you didn't actually need a smear test?

Actually no the stress was down to the kidney infection I had, they caused each other (vicious circle), it went undiagnosed for a while and the stress of that and an awful job were what were causing it, but as I had no diagnosis of a kidney infection I didn't know what was going on, my own GP said that until he tested for the kidney infection he too would have sent me for a smear test based on my symptoms.

baby and crumble

Friend of mine was just gone 25 when she had her first smear. They found cancerous cells, and she (thankfully) is now in remission. Still, just goes to show that while yes, Doctors do have the training, and yes, wrongful abnormal smears can happen in the case of the under-25s, it's not like your cervix knows when your birthday is ffs! Plus, a person knows their body, and knows what's normal and what's not, far moreso than any person outside of it.

I am now a firm believer in going with your instinct in matters like this. I think if more women (and people, nevermind just women!) did, and were firm about not giving in to the 'I studied this, I know what I'm talking about' attitude that some (not all!) doctors have, we'd be a healthier nation.

Just my 2c...

LegacyUser

I honestly dont mind the whole free screening at 25 thats fine but if like me at 22 I am very worried of this going on for a year already why would I and my sex life have to suffer for the next 3 years just to qualify because of my age? The doctor who done it for me said that there is alot of doctors protesting trying to bring down the screening age that it was ridiculous? He said once you become sexually active or start the pill or have a child you should get a smear test. I dont care if i had to pay or not im not one of those oh i should get it free cos of medical card, no all i care about is my health!
I just didnt appreciate the attitude I got for my follow up app just because im not 25.

Misticles

You should be able to get a smear regardless of the cervical check criteria!

I have had abnormalities for the past 3 years! which would have started at 21/22. Only minor abnormalities but I get a smear every 6 months to make sure there is no further changes!

Its better to catch them early and have the progress monitored as opposed to being refused a smear and finding out you have major changes in the tissue!

Its a disgrace, being discriminated against whilst trying to protect yourself in the long run!

Only in Ireland!

athtrasna

In the UK screening starts at 18...or is it 20? I studied over there and know I didn't have much choice in the matter, my doctor kept going on about it.

And I know now how important it is. My friend's sister was diagnosed at 18 with cervical cancer. She had a hysterectomy at 19. Sadly she passed away recently in her mid 30s when the cancer returned with a vengeance.

I'll never miss a smear test because I'll always think of her. I definitely agree that 25 is much too late to start the screening process.

witchgirl26

athtrasna wrote: »

In the UK screening starts at 18...or is it 20? I studied over there and know I didn't have much choice in the matter, my doctor kept going on about it.

Per the NHS's website, screening in the UK starts at 25. Sorry to hear about your friend's sister.

I do think that smears should be easier to get, compared to some of the stories here, for under 25's, however I do see why there isn't a screening program in place for this age category as all information shows that it is more unlikely to develop under the age of 25 & that is what it is based on.

Like I said before, I had my first smear at 19 and wholey recognise the importance of them and that if someone is asking for one, it should be done and they shouldn't be treated badly for wanting it.

ztoical

athtrasna wrote: »

In the UK screening starts at 18...or is it 20? I studied over there and know I didn't have much choice in the matter, my doctor kept going on about it.

The age in England is 25 just like it is here. In Scotland and Wales it's 20 and there was a recent discussion about lowering it in England to 20 as well but the figures show that the number of women who develop cervical cancer under the age of 25 is under 3% and women under 25 are likely to give a very high number of false positive tests results.

Morag

I had my first smear at 19, I was sexually active, on the pill and occasionally smoked.
My dr made the appointment with the local health clinic and it was free.
I there is a history of cancer in my family and that played a part of me getting test at that age. I think it is wrong that drs and non medical staff like receptionists are putting of young women from having smears, esp when it's a cancer which kills many women each year and is far too often not discovered soon enough.

southsiderosie

I think part of the problem with the smear tests is that doctors are still figuring out what exactly HPV is and how the body processes it, so there is a lot of disagreement about how often to test, etc. Many people will present with a various strain of HPV, but the body will "clear" it on its own within two years. The general rule of thumb in the US is to start screenings when you are 21, and the frequency depends on the results.

However, in the case where there is pain or bleeding, I don't understand why they would not do the screening, especially since it is quite straightforward. Plus most doctors would want to give you a full STD screening if there are any problems with bleeding, pain and the like. The failure to screen women with these kinds of symptoms is potentially putting her fertility at risk.

athtrasna

ztoical wrote: »

The age in England is 25 just like it is here. In Scotland and Wales it's 20 and there was a recent discussion about lowering it in England to 20 as well

That would be right - I studied in Wales

tatabubbly

I got mine done when i was in college at 21, both the doctor and the nurse were nagging me to get it done... but they said it was important because otherwise i wouldn't get it done to i was 25.

pow wow

It's 25 in England but doctors really encourage you to start having them once you're sexually active, which is often well before 25.

Slightly related I got a similar reaction when I went to the hospital on a referral for a lump in my breast. I know it's much less likely to get breast cancer in your early 20s but it does happen (my GP's face fell to the floor when he felt the lump) - and their attitude to me having the audacity to show up "at my age" was disgusting. I was in floods of tears by the time I left. I subsequently got it seen to on the NHS in NI and the treatment was worlds apart from what I was subjected to in the Republic.

I understand where they're coming from if someone is totally healthy and they don't feel they need a smear. But if a girl is having pain, irregular bleeding, bleeding after sex etc, clearly there is *something* wrong with them, even if minor, surely better to check it out than chastise the girl for (shock horror) worrying about their health??

Well, those things are often caused by very minor issues, but yeah, I agree that people with symptoms should be given smears. It might not be necessary for women under 25 to have them as a matter of course, but I agree that irregular bleeding is a good enough reason to be checked out. I do think it's a bit much to expect to get a smear done the same day in a busy GP practice (I'm sure the other patients all had good reasons to be there and had waited long enough) but they should have made you an appointment for a few weeks' time. I'm surprised that you were actually refused a test. I've been having abnormal smears since I was 21, and doctors have been happy to do smears and other tests when I explain my symptoms.

southsiderosie

pow wow wrote: »

It's 25 in England but doctors really encourage you to start having them once you're sexually active, which is often well before 25.

Slightly related I got a similar reaction when I went to the hospital on a referral for a lump in my breast. I know it's much less likely to get breast cancer in your early 20s but it does happen (my GP's face fell to the floor when he felt the lump) - and their attitude to me having the audacity to show up "at my age" was disgusting. I was in floods of tears by the time I left. I subsequently got it seen to on the NHS in NI and the treatment was worlds apart from what I was subjected to in the Republic.

Honestly, what is the deal with women's health services in the Republic? Is it just that we are more likely to discuss what went wrong than the good services we receive? Because I feel like many of the experiences I have read about on boards are negative, and my first and last experience with women's health services in Ireland was dreadful.

Storminateacup

When I lived in the US my auntie had pretty much made me go get a pap test. I remember the doctor who carried it out being HORRIFIED that at age 20, I had never had recieved one before.

pampootie

The % of abnormal results in the u25s is high though. I can't find the stats/links to back this up at the minute but I do remember being shocked at how high it was. That said, when there's some symptom indicating something else is wrong, it's criminal to not do a smear because someone is under 25. I had something equivalent to the OP when I was 21-my college Dr was in no way hesitant in doing a smear though, and informed me about the chance of abnormal results. (although she was also bizzarrely insistant that I had chlamydia and when I replied that there was no possible way I could have, she darkly informed me that my boyfriend was no doubt a clap-riddled liar) Was due my next one just after xmas but my current dr said i may as well hold off until i do turn 25 this summer, which I don't have a problem with. If it's all clear, I plan on getting the cervical cancer vaccine-something which i feel should be far, far more widely available and far cheaper than it is at present. I'm in the lucky position of being able to afford the €500 odd to put towards my health, but many aren't, and having watched a family member die from a HPV related cancer, I think we should be preventing it in as many women as possible.

The Sweeper

If your doctor is refusing you a pap smear, request a HPV test and state you want one because you're sexually active.

I'd like to see them poo-poo that request.

iguana

southsiderosie wrote: »

Honestly, what is the deal with women's health services in the Republic? Is it just that we are more likely to discuss what went wrong than the good services we receive? Because I feel like many of the experiences I have read about on boards are negative, and my first and last experience with women's health services in Ireland was dreadful.

OT, but it's not just women's health services. At the start of last year my husband was in an NHS hospital in London for liver and kidney failure. Although at the time a lot of things that were happening didn't really register, I do remember being impressed by the level of care he was getting. He had an ultrasound at 1.30am and his bloods were taken hourly and we had the results from the tests within each hour. In the ICU he had his own room and round the clock he had a nurse of his own, who's only job on each shift was to care for him. (He even had a dietician plan his meals.)

I've since spoken to numerous Irish doctors who have told me (off the record) that he wouldn't have gotten that type of care here. The likelihood of his blood tests having been carried out as routinely and speedily as they were in an NHS hospital was very low, especially as he initially responded very well to treatment. As it turned out at some point between 3 and 4am on his first night he stopped responding and his liver went into necrosis. By 4.45am I got a call telling me he had been moved from a normal ward to the ICU, his treatment was being changed and the liver specialists at Kings Hospital had been consulted. Luckily he responded and kept responding but only because of the speed with which they changed his treatment, as it was we had a couple of days where we weren't sure if he'd pull through. I'm very, very glad we weren't living here at the time.

John Mason

my BROTHER is being hounded by the free cervical check people to go for his smear test - they are refusing to accept that he doesnt have a cervix:rolleyes::rolleyes:

pow wow

southsiderosie wrote: »

Honestly, what is the deal with women's health services in the Republic? Is it just that we are more likely to discuss what went wrong than the good services we receive? Because I feel like many of the experiences I have read about on boards are negative, and my first and last experience with women's health services in Ireland was dreadful.

I really don't know but I can only say good things about the NHS in both England and NI. From my own experience the doctors were usually a lot younger, which isn't in itself any great shakes, but they seemed to be much more 'tuned-in' shall we say to patients and their care. Don't get me wrong, I have a great GP in ROI (he deserves a medal!) but anything hospital-based I've experienced down here has been negative.

goose2005

Spadina wrote: »

Yes but if a woman is having pain or bleeding that is abnormal for her surely it should be checked out? I couldn't even get an examination never mind a smear test.

But abnormalities in under 25s are common. Labs are overwhelmed with tests that are demanded by people even for a tiny risk.

athtrasna wrote: »

In the UK screening starts at 18...or is it 20? I studied over there and know I didn't have much choice in the matter, my doctor kept going on about it.

And I know now how important it is. My friend's sister was diagnosed at 18 with cervical cancer. She had a hysterectomy at 19. Sadly she passed away recently in her mid 30s when the cancer returned with a vengeance.

I'll never miss a smear test because I'll always think of her. I definitely agree that 25 is much too late to start the screening process.

I assume you have a Ph.D. and years of research experience, as well as one sad personal story, to back up your professional opinion?

athtrasna

goose2005 wrote: »

I assume you have a Ph.D. and years of research experience, as well as one sad personal story, to back up your professional opinion?

No PhD but I have a degree in Molecular Biology with Immunology so I know more than a little about the subject, worked on a potential treatment for cervical cancer as my dissertation working with cells for over 6 months - my research is probably in the attic somewhere if you feel you need a copy.

Count Duckula

goose2005 wrote: »

I assume you have a Ph.D. and years of research experience, as well as one sad personal story, to back up your professional opinion?

athtrasna wrote: »

No PhD but I have a degree in Molecular Biology with Immunology so I know more than a little about the subject, worked on a potential treatment for cervical cancer as my dissertation working with cells for over 6 months - my research is probably in the attic somewhere if you feel you need a copy.

Um... zing?

LeeHoffmann

I can't believe that some people on here are discouraging others from booking/requesting a smear test if they're under 25! Nuts! This is a service. Everyone should be able to check up on their health regardless of their age, without having to convince anyone that they have a good reason for requesting that check!!

January

irishbird wrote: »

my BROTHER is being hounded by the free cervical check people to go for his smear test - they are refusing to accept that he doesnt have a cervix:rolleyes::rolleyes:

My partners father got a letter from Breast Check to go for his screening a couple of months ago :eek:

I remember being in hospital both times after having my daughters (first at 21 and second at 22) and being told I needed a smear at 12 weeks post birth on both of them... also being told by the PHN when I got home from hospital... doctor wouldnt give me one though. When I mentioned it to the PHN she just shrugged and said I "should wait so"

QueenOfLeon

My university health clinic (in Ireland) gives free smear tests, even to those under 25, and recommend it to students who go in who have been on the pill for a while, or are sexually active. I think its brilliant...hopefully it will influence other GP practices. Also, students who graduate who are still under 25 would probably be more confident to demand one from their own GP after having them for years in college, rather than women going for the first time who are brushed away and basically laughed at by their doctors.

liah

That's mad. :eek: Back in Canada I got my first one at 17 simply because I wanted a checkup, nothing was bothering me at all, and no one batted an eyelid.

This thread is a real eye-opener, had no idea it was so backwards in Ireland when it came to smears!

amdublin

Ladies,

You can get a smear test whenever you want it. If your dr queries why (as they should, to see if it is required) just say it is because you are sexually active - no need to get all defensive.

However the formal FREE screening process starts from when you are 25 - based on statistical information about the age of risk versus cost.

Of course we should all be screened earlier rather than later and regular rather that irregular but unfortunately the health budget does not cover that.

micayla

Have to say the experiences people have been having regarding smear tests are weird, I've been getting them every two years since I was 20. Whenever I go to my doctor for my pill prescription the first thing she does is check when my last smear test was.

If your doctor refuses you a smear test find a new one and report them. I think we, as a country, stand by and accept what doctors do simply because they are doctors. To hell with that!

I bloody hate the medical service in this country:mad:

amdublin

micayla wrote: »

Have to say the experiences people have been having regarding smear tests are weird, I've been getting them every two years since I was 20. Whenever I go to my doctor for my pill prescription the first thing she does is check when my last smear test was.

If your doctor refuses you a smear test find a new one and report them. I think we, as a country, stand by and accept what doctors do simply because they are doctors. To hell with that!

I bloody hate the medical service in this country:mad:

Tbh I'm intrigued as well Micayla

Flojo

I'm lucky that I have been getting smears since I was 21. The cells have now changed from mild precancerous to moderate. Going for the LLETZ procedure in two months. Extremely nervous but so glad at the same time that I know about it and it's being treated.

ztoical

amdublin wrote: »

Ladies,

You can get a smear test whenever you want it. If your dr queries why (as they should, to see if it is required) just say it is because you are sexually active - no need to get all defensive.

However the formal FREE screening process starts from when you are 25 - based on statistical information about the age of risk versus cost.

Of course we should all be screened earlier rather than later and regular rather that irregular but unfortunately the health budget does not cover that.

+ 1 People seem to be confusing the free screening program with any and all smears. If someone goes into their GP with bleeding or other issues that require a smear then they should get one....if they don't then they need to report said GP to the health board. However if someone goes asking for a smear under the age of 25 without any medical reason for needing it it's unlikely the GP will do one. This is assuming the person in question is looking to get the smear free via the HSE. If your going private then you can have one whenever you feel like paying for it - hence why so many americans start getting them from a much younger age.

In a perfect world we'd have screenings for a lot of more illness and they would throw a much wider net. There are alot of genetic conditions and illness we could be screening ever newborn for for example but the reality is the HSE has limited funds and must target the groups most at risk and simple satistics show those under 25 are at a lower risk then those over hence that age limit. Would it be better to screen all women once they are sexual active? Yes but the cost of offering free smears vs the number of cases of cancer that increased number of tests would find has to be looked at....it might sound a bit cold but thats the reality of a large health care system. There isn't any money to increase the free screening program without taking it from another program.

It's not discrimination, if you've a medical need for one you should get it and again if your refused report the GP but you won't get one as part of the national screening test until your 25.

BizzyLizzie

amdublin wrote: »

Ladies,

You can get a smear test whenever you want it. If your dr queries why (as they should, to see if it is required) just say it is because you are sexually active - no need to get all defensive.

However the formal FREE screening process starts from when you are 25 - based on statistical information about the age of risk versus cost.

Of course we should all be screened earlier rather than later and regular rather that irregular but unfortunately the health budget does not cover that.

But people are saying that they have been refused them when they had a genuine need for one... they never said they asked for a free one. They're getting 'defensive' because they were refused proper medical care as they were not allowed a procedure that was warranted in their particular case.

On a similar note, my G.P. told me that if I wanted her to she'd do a smear test for me but she'd change my age to 25 on the form so that I wouldn't have to pay for it... :eek:

amdublin

As far as I can see everyone was "allowed" the procedure once they explained why.

That's the way a doctors appointment generally works you know:
You explain your symptoms and explain what you want and the person with 7 years of medical education decides if you need it or not.

BizzyLizzie

amdublin wrote: »

As far as I can see everyone was "allowed" the procedure once they explained why.

Right so...

tan11ie wrote: »

A friends Daughter (21) went to see the local GP to get a smear done and she was turned away.

Acoshla wrote: »

the receptionist actually scoffed at me, this kind of snigger, and said "Do you have any idea how busy the nurses here are? You can't just come in and make an appointment!". ... The nurse did phone me, told me to register with cervical check, wait for the letter from them, then call them for an appointment. When I pointed out I was 24 she basically said I shouldn't be getting a smear and to wait until the next year to get the free one, she actually said I couldn't get one without registering.

January wrote: »

doctor wouldnt give me one though

They all seem to have been not able to get a smear test.

amdublin wrote: »

That's the way a doctors appointment generally works you know:
You explain your symptoms and explain what you want and the person with 7 years of medical education decides if you need it or not.

And of course, doctors are infallible. That's the way a medical education generally works you know: study for your degree...never make a mistake again.

Nobody is saying that smear tests should be handed out when they're not warranted. But these people who have had issues because of their age were hardly going in saying ''I've a pain in my toe... I demand a smear test''.

The issue people are raising is that, despite having symptoms that would suggest they need a smear test as something abnormal is occuring, they are being refused it on the basis of age. We all understand that it's less likely in those under 25, but not unheard of. For example:

athtrasna wrote: »

My friend's sister was diagnosed at 18 with cervical cancer.

amdublin

BizzyLizzie wrote: »

Right so...








They all seem to have been not able to get a smear test.



And of course, doctors are infallible. That's the way a medical education generally works you know: study for your degree...never make a mistake again.

The issue people are raising is that, despite having symptoms that would suggest they need a smear test as something abnormal is occuring, they are being refused it on the basis of age. We all understand that it's less likely in those under 25, but not unheard of. For example:

I think everyone with symptoms were NOT turned away.

Just because you want one (with no symptoms) does not mean you can refer yourself for one unfortunately - again that is what your doctor is for, to decide whether you actually need one or not.

If we all could refer ourselves for every test under the sun the system would be clogged very quickly and it could potentially mean the real genuine cases of cancer would be missed.

One very sad story does not mean you have cancer just because you are 18 too.

Again, you can insist on a smear if you really feel you need it ie you have symptoms. But obviously it won't be free.

And yes you should be getting screened before 25 - you will have to pay for it and I would recommend you attend a well woman clinic.

amdublin

Ps. I know my last statement seems a bit contradictory.
What I am saying is you should not wait until 25 if you are sexually active since 16 for example.

But if if you were screened at 22 and were clear but go to your dr at 24 and ask for a smear (no symptoms) they are probably correct (from a risk analysis perspective) to say wait until next year.

So what I am saying is don't avoid getting tested but don't get all defensive and insist on it when you are Low Risk and don't need it.

BizzyLizzie

amdublin wrote: »

I think everyone with symptoms were NOT turned away.

I'm just going to quote one person because I'm not gonna go through the entire thread again...

Acoshla wrote: »

When I was 24 I had similar symptoms to you, not as much pain but still enough to worry me. I was not on the pill but had previously been for 6 years and was sexually active since I was 16. I was also sick with a severe kidney infection and panic attacks at the same time (turns out they were ALL stress related actually) so when I was in a particularly bad state one day (shaking, pale, on the verge of tears) I walked into my GP's which is next door to my house and asked the receptionist if I could possibly book a smear test for the same day, I would happily pay for it because I wasn't 25, I was in bits worrying what might be wrong with me and as the GP had told me I was "fine, just needed to relax" it hadn't helped, I thought I was losing it.

Anyways the receptionist actually scoffed at me, this kind of snigger, and said "Do you have any idea how busy the nurses here are? You can't just come in and make an appointment!". Now, this is a GP practice in a town of 6,000 people and 3 other medical centres, how feckin busy can they be? She said she'd get the nurse to phone me later. The nurse did phone me, told me to register with cervical check, wait for the letter from them, then call them for an appointment. When I pointed out I was 24 she basically said I shouldn't be getting a smear and to wait until the next year to get the free one, she actually said I couldn't get one without registering.

I went to my real GP in my home county and the nurse couldn't believe what they'd said, told me to call the Family Planning Clinic and I had an appointment for a smear test 3 days later, which I paid hardly anything for and had the results the next week.

I understand where they're coming from if someone is totally healthy and they don't feel they need a smear. But if a girl is having pain, irregular bleeding, bleeding after sex etc, clearly there is *something* wrong with them, even if minor, surely better to check it out than chastise the girl for (shock horror) worrying about their health??

This poster clearly stated she would pay if she had to. She still didn't get the smear test from the initial surgery she contacted. So even though she had symptoms, she was turned away. Upon making contact with a different health professional, a smear test was indeed carried out. If this person thought she needed the test, then why are you not considering the idea that the first person was wrong?

amdublin wrote: »

Just because you want one (with no symptoms) does not mean you can refer yourself for one unfortunately - again that is what your doctor is for, to decide whether you actually need one or not.

If we all could refer ourselves for every test under the sun the system would be clogged very quickly it would potentially mean the real genuine cases of cancer would be missed.

One very sad story does not mean you have cancer just because you are 18 too.

Again, you can insist on a smear if you really feel you need it ie you have symptoms. But obviously it won't be free.

And yes you should be getting screened before 25 - you will have to pay for it and I would recommend you attend a well woman clinic.

People aren't saying that they should be able to demand every test under the sun. They're saying that if they have symptoms that would warrant a smear test in someone as little as a few months older, why are they being refused the test, even when they have no issue paying for it.

I don't get why you're not able to see the difference between people demanding an unneeded test for free and people wanting a needed test and paying for it themselves

And for the record, I agree that people demanding unneeded tests is a bad thing, but that isn't the issue being raised by the OP.

On a personal note, a doctor sent me for a scan on my ovaries to test for PCOS. The doctor then told me that had i been older she would say I had PCOS, but as it stood, despite what the blood tests (the second lot, the first set were lost) and the scan said, she thought I was fine. So off I went and continued not to have a period for three years. Later tests showed several hormone imbalances that had been left untreated since that doctor fobbed me off because of my age and I spent about a year visiting numerous doctors, having more scans and blood tests. So just because a doctor says something, it isn't always right. You have ever right to question your diagnosis or lack thereof.

BizzyLizzie

amdublin wrote: »

Ps. I know my last statement seems a bit contradictory.
What I am saying is you should not wait until 25 if you are sexually active since 16 for example.

But if if you were screened at 22 and were clear but go to your dr at 24 and ask for a smear (no symptoms) they are probably correct (from a risk analysis perspective) to say wait until next year.

So what I am saying is don't avoid getting tested but don't get all defensive and insist on it when you are Low Risk and don't need it.

I agree with that word for word. The issue on this thread is people who did need them and couldn't have them

micayla

If a person is sexually active and/or on the pill then I don't think a smear test is unnescessary. I happily paid for the test twice because I would rather be safe than sorry. I get what people are saying about folks demanding unnecessary procedures but I don't see that there should be such a reaction to a girl walking in looking for a smear test from her doctor.