Cervical check contacting women??

whodini

Hi, Does anyone know how Cervical Check go about contacting women who have had previously unreported abnormalities in past smears? Are they still contacting women? Thanks.

I'm not sure they do make contact if you have had no previous abnormalities. I rang them myself as I was worried and it was three weeks before a doctor rang me back. Perhaps give them a ring if you haven't already or arrange a smear.
Ah I see you have had abnormalities. Then ring them as soon as possible. Free smear testing is happening for all women regardless of whether or not they are due one. Male an appointment with your GP. Best of luck.

whodini

Thanks so much for your reply. I'm freaking out because I had a missed call from a major Dublin hospital's gynae cancer clinic yesterday. I've never been referred there and think they are connected to Cervical Check. I couldn't contact them today and my own gp assured me he hadn't referred me there and couldn't explain the call either. No message and no communication with gp but with recent events I can't be sure that means it's nothing. I've had normal smears but of course that is not totally reassuring! Had abdominal symptoms in recent months and a private (not in anyway connected to above hospital) ultrasound to investigate same. All looked okay. I can't believe a gynae cancer clinic randomly called me given everything that's happened recently both in my own healthcare and with Cervical Check scandal. Have called the helpline to find out how such information might be relayed but although they were really nice and sympathetic, they couldn't give me any answers. Please anybody, any ideas?

Aufbau

I'm so sorry you're worried like that OP.

There's an article on the RTE News website about this that I can't figure out how to link. It says that all but one person has already been contacted. It's been reported several times that they've been trying to find that last person for ages, with the implication that they've possibly moved abroad. I don't see how you could be that last person because from what you say it seems you're not hard to find.

It's possible that the person who rang you reversed two numbers when they tapped in the phone number, or hit the wrong key. Then when they rang back, they hit the right number and got the right person. Otherwise they surely would have rung you back again.

You sound stressed out so I hope you get some sleep. Try again tomorrow to put your mind at rest.

I can relate to your worry OP but like the poster above me says try not to worry yourself right now. It's late and there isn't a thing that can happen tonight. If I were you I would make an appointment with your GP on Monday and ring the hospital again.

whodini

Thanks a million for your replies. I did get some sleep and spoke to my gp yesterday so he's going to look into it on Monday as well. If it was any other department alarm bells wouldn't be ringing. I'm struggling to convince myself it was a wrong number although I seriously hope it was. I can't find anywhere a definitive answer as to who would contact a patient. Surely though, a message would be left, gp contacted etc?

Obviously I don't know what the outcome will be OP or anything at all about your health but something which helps me is to look at it rationally. I was at my GP a few weeks ago and afterwards I told myself that if she was worried I would be in hospital having tests right now.
So maybe tell yourself that they would have left a message if it was something urgent. Just to get you through the worry of the next few days because I know how easy it is to fall down that rabbit hole.