First cervical screening test?

[shyanon.livejournal.com]

I'm 26, a virgin, and have never had a cervical smear test. I live in the UK. My GP told me a few years ago that as I had not been sexually active I did not need one. Is this correct?

Thanks!

Comments

[mydreamscollide.livejournal.com]

It's good to get an periodical exams once you turn 21 or become sexually active, which ever comes first. Since you've already turned 21, I would recommend it. They check for changes in your cervical cells that could lead to cancer, which you can get despite never having sex. Good Luck!

[shyanon.livejournal.com]

Thank you.

[rockstarbob.livejournal.com]

This link from our side bar might help (it clarifies when you should go to the gynecologist and why):

http://www.firstvisit.org/

Good luck!

Thank you.

[shyanon.livejournal.com]

Hello. Sorry if I've posted inappropriately. It's just that I live in the UK so I can't "go to the gynecologist" and my GP says that I don't need one....

Re: Thank you.

[rockstarbob.livejournal.com]

You haven't posted inappropriately at all!

Some questions due to ignorance on my part: In the UK, is it not typical for women to see a gynecologist/gynaecologist? Are the usual gynecologist concerns usually handled by a GP? Would the GP be the one doing the cervical screening? And I wonder if a "cervical screening" is what we refer to in the U.S. as a "pap smear."

Re: Thank you.

[shyanon.livejournal.com]

Good, thank you! :o)

"In the UK, is it not typical for women to see a gynecologist/gynaecologist?"
No, we wouldn't usually ever see one. But the GP can refer us to one if there is a major problem that he/she can't deal with.

"Are the usual gynecologist concerns usually handled by a GP?"
Yes.

"Would the GP be the one doing the cervical screening?"
Yes.

"And I wonder if a "cervical screening" is what we refer to in the U.S. as a "pap smear.""
Yes, I think so.

Re: Thank you.

[rockstarbob.livejournal.com]

I bet you didn't expect to be answering someone else's questions when you posted! Thank you for taking the time to do that. That was quite informative. It's striking how different the two health care systems are with regard to what we're taught is important for our reproductive health.

Re: Thank you.

[tealight-rookie.livejournal.com]

Also, whereas in the US (as I understand) you would have a yearly exam, which includes a smear test and breast exam as well as the pelvic exam, here in the UK we are only advised to get a smear test once every three to five years (done at our GP surgery, often by the nurse), and it is generally just the smear test they do (unless there are other flagged problems). However, if the test comes back with abnormal cells of any description, they will then test you every six months to a year, as in the US. :)

Re: Thank you.

[kaelstra.livejournal.com]

Wow, that is really unusual!

Here in the States, it is strongly advised to start getting yearly pelvic exams once you are 21, because it's the fastest way to detect cervical cancer, among other things.

It's just a good women's health practice.

[chinchillama.livejournal.com]

The opinions in the UK are different than in the states, I grew up in the states and thus got my first pap when I turned 21, but then when I moved over the the UK my GP said I was fine for another 5 years, because I'd had a normal pap... I just think the health care systems are working under different assumptions.

So, basically, I guess if you feel you need one see if your GP will do it (though mine basically said she wouldn't since she felt I didnt "need" one).

[blusia.livejournal.com]

If you smoke you should definitely get one. That test is the only way to catch cervical cancer early enough to treat it for 100% cure.

[shyanon.livejournal.com]

Thank you. I don't smoke fortunately.

[lilagrubb.livejournal.com]

According to the current UK policy, (http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/en.aspx?articleId=95&sectionId=10610) you should have been called for your first smear test last year, when you were 25.

[tealight-rookie.livejournal.com]

That's a great site!

[lilagrubb.livejournal.com]

I always find it useful for medical queries, and it's handy if you want to know how healthcare works here in the UK, because it's different to the way it works in the US.

[tealight-rookie.livejournal.com]

Yeah... I'm in the UK too, and use NHS direct quite a bit. I just didn't realise they had a website... :)

[cyberpurple.livejournal.com]

I'm in the UK and was told no smears yet as I'm not sexually active. But part of me wonders whether that is due to the fact that I'm a wheelchair user and manuevering me into a position where they could do the smear would be a nightmare. It's reassuring to hear that someone else was told the same thing! (((hugs)))

[lost-almost.livejournal.com]

In India, I have been told the same thing. I had a breast exam though.

[shyanon.livejournal.com]

Thank you very much everyone for all your replies. Much appreciated.