This is sickening. Could have been me

Loz · 10-06-2008, 13:02

I'm not one for sharing my personal problems at all, but s0d it, I have had to post this because it's really upset me. I just read this article on the Daily Mail site and I find it absolutely tragic

'I was told I was too young for a smear test but now I am dying of cervical cancer at just 24' | Mail Online

As it happens, I have just had to have Loop Diathermy, the treatment used to remove abnormal cells from the cervix. I had a 'Severe Abmormality' but being only 21 at the time I was "too young for a smear test" and the gynae told me this also, as I asked if I would get one to check it out. (I had a small lump on my cervix, but no other symptoms). They did a biopsy on it and when they got the result back they called me in for treatment. I guess I will be called for a follow up to check it's all ok again now.
So, if this had never been noticed I could have ended up another one on this list of young girls denied the chance to find out if there is anything wrong. It makes me sick. WTF do we pay national insurance for????

mattbeef · 10-06-2008, 13:08

Sadly its a common think that plenty of women are asking to be tested and are being refused

Least your one of the safe ones

Loz · 10-06-2008, 13:10

I feel so, so sorry for her

I still don't know if mine's ok yet, so still have that worry that I might end up with similar news. She is very brave

Johnny50 · 10-06-2008, 13:11

I think it's shocking. SWMBO had exactly the same a few years back.

Luckily she was of age to get a smear in the first place, but i really cant see where age comes into it.

You could say the same for breast checkups too...they only come in at a certain age do they not ?

Which again is shocking considering todays amount of problems that some women have.

skodagirl1985 · 10-06-2008, 13:13

That is really sad that. i thought they tested women from 20 up?

daiking · 10-06-2008, 13:18

I think this may be a British thing. I'll check with swmbo later but I'm pretty sure that in Greece they get regular ones from a much younger age than the UK. Certainly from when they become 'sexually active'. Suffice to say that having lived here a while now my wife is none too impressed with the availability of services on the NHS.

Fingers crossed

Loz · 10-06-2008, 13:18

You don't get called for a smear until you are 25 and they refuse to do it on anyone younger. Same for mammograms, I think thats about age 50, and a friend of mine has asked for one and has been refused.

Another thing is, the first two practitioners who saw my lump thing said it was a polyp and nothing to worry about. Wasn't until I got myself referred to gynae that they said it wasn't a polyp and sent me to colposcopy. A friend of mine had recently been there with the same sort of thing so let me know what to expect. Wasn't pleasant. the biopsy alone left me with stomach ache for the rest of the day.

Johnny50 · 10-06-2008, 13:21

Will they do a mammogram if they think there's a need ?
Or is it a typical nightmare of 2nd/3rd opinions before you may be reffered ?

skodagirl1985 · 10-06-2008, 13:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loz

You don't get called for a smear until you are 25 and they refuse to do it on anyone younger. Same for mammograms, I think thats about age 50, and a friend of mine has asked for one and has been refused.

Must be different in england to Scotland cos I been getting letters for past 2 years. think since I turned 20. But have to admit I have been bad and never gone yet. But reading this has made me maybe think twice now.

Loz · 10-06-2008, 13:27

Go for the test. Let the loss of this poor girls life be a lesson and smack in the face to those who can't be bothered to be checked. think of the people who need one and are not allowed. Absolute disgrace tbh. I think it used to be a younger age in England too, but they are determined to f*ck us up in any way possible in this country.

swedishskoda · 10-06-2008, 13:32

In Sweden, pap smear screening starts at 23 and mammogram screening at 40.

What's on its way here is to include HPV inoculation in the national inoculation programme so that all girls aged 10-12 will be offered inoculation for free (today moust county councils offer it, but parents have to pay even if the vaccine is subsidised). This will substantially reduce the risk for cervix cancer. But sadly it will increase the risk that women skip the screening... it happens already.

And sadly there will always be the odd case even with earlier screening.

I don't know about screening freqency in the UK, here it is every third year. So starting at 20 it basically means one extra test per woman at £25 or thereabouts... it ought to be affordable.

skodagirl1985 · 10-06-2008, 13:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loz

Go for the test. Let the loss of this poor girls life be a lesson and smack in the face to those who can't be bothered to be checked. think of the people who need one and are not allowed. Absolute disgrace tbh. I think it used to be a younger age in England too, but they are determined to f*ck us up in any way possible in this country.

I think its more fear thats stopping me going. I am too scared to go. I've never been for one. I know I should but then fear gets in the way and stops me from going.
This thread has opened my eyes to it now. to see how important the test is.

Skodaboy1983 · 10-06-2008, 13:34

Skodagirl1985 - Think going for the test is the best idea, I know not a lot about these things but all I know is that if the doctor wants you to have it done it is out of precaution.

Johnny50 · 10-06-2008, 13:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by skodagirl1985

I think its more fear thats stopping me going. I am too scared to go. I've never been for one. I know I should but then fear gets in the way and stops me from going.
This thread has opened my eyes to it now. to see how important the test is.

I would rather be scared of going, than being scared of the chance of having a problem, and not knowing about it.

Definatley go.

Loz · 10-06-2008, 13:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by skodagirl1985

I think its more fear thats stopping me going. I am too scared to go. I've never been for one. I know I should but then fear gets in the way and stops me from going.
This thread has opened my eyes to it now. to see how important the test is.

Why be scared? Surely cervical cancer is scarier. It's over in minutes. I've still never had a smear, but I have now been examined 'down there' 7 times! Sometimes for quite a while for these treatments and biopsies. So I am well used to it now. It's not overly comfortable but it's not exactly scary.Just a smear swab wont be anywhere near and horrible as the treatments are. I had needles up there and alsorts. Not nice.

oh, there was one bonus though, I've seen my own cervix on a tv screen

albeit it had a charred hole in it where they had cut a piece out lol

skodagirl1985 · 10-06-2008, 13:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnny50

I would rather be scared of going, than being scared of the chance of having a problem, and not knowing about it.

Definatley go.

Its the way they discribe it. It freeks me out. It terrifes me. Sounds silly.

I maybe call the doctor one day for it.

Loz · 10-06-2008, 13:41

You are correct. It does sound silly. It is not terrifying. It's a swab - a cotton bud.

Skodaboy1983 · 10-06-2008, 13:41

Skodagirl1985- If your scared talk to the doctor ie a female one who can explain the procedure, ask your mum, my mum and try and not listen to people who make it sound worse than it really is.

Johnny50 · 10-06-2008, 13:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loz

oh, there was one bonus though, I've seen my own cervix on a tv screen

albeit it had a charred hole in it where they had cut a piece out lol

Still, think i'd rather have been watching Corrie

So are you now on 6 month smears then ?

skodagirl1985 · 10-06-2008, 13:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skodaboy1983

Skodagirl1985- If your scared talk to the doctor ie a female one who can explain the procedure, ask your mum, my mum and try and not listen to people who make it sound worse than it really is.

I shall do that then before I go.

daiking · 10-06-2008, 13:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loz

oh, there was one bonus though, I've seen my own cervix on a tv screen

...

Now that really is too much info!

As a bloke you don't know about this stuff until your wife/swmbo tells you the gory details. Its a lot tougher than the sort of "regular maintenance" that men need. My wife hates any 'work' doing 'down there' but she knows the risks of not having it down are worse.

Skodagirl - you maybe by yourself when its done but all women do it, take some comfort from that. And I'm sure you'll get the support you need from someone not a million miles away.

Loz · 10-06-2008, 13:49

No idea. Not heard anything back since I had the treatment yet. I guess they'll do a histology on what they removed. I think working for a life insurance co had made me paranoid. As soon as they told me it was there I wanted it removed and a histology run. If I'd applied for life cover (not that I have, I get it free through work anyway) and mentioned it then I would have been delayed Note No4 (until all investigations complete and results available) haha! Saddo.

But if a life co wouln't take the risk, then why would I want to?

Skodagirl - seriously, its just a (lubed) speculum to open you up a bit (not nice, but could be worse) then in a couple of seconds they'll have the sample and it will be over. I put myself forward for all I've been through, the docs all said it was 'probably nothing to worry about, but it was. Unpleasant and painful as the treatment was, I would do it again if I had to. Your life is worth more than that.

swedishskoda · 10-06-2008, 13:52

I just wonder whether Loz' horror tales of needles and charred holes are the right thing to calm down a nervous patient

Don't think anyone actually looks forward to a trip to the G.P. But as has been said over and over again, no need to fear this one. OK, waiting for the results can be stressful, but the earlier you go, the lesser the risk.

Finding a sympathetic doc is important, too. With a growing family (elder brothers and uncles

) maybe you can get recommendations? From your sore ear thread I understood that you do not particularly like visiting the doctor - maybe from previous unpleasant experience? Not all doctors are good at meeting their patients - but they are not all alike.

Loz · 10-06-2008, 13:54

A smear wouldn't have any needles or charred holes, thats what I had to go through as a treatment.

Johnny50 · 10-06-2008, 13:54

When SWMBO had it done, she was every 6mnths for 2 years, then if all clear, back to normal, which she is now.

Although knowing English NHS...you'll never hear from them again until you ask them yourself !

10-06-2008, 13:02	#1
Loz Bad Loz!! Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: here..................... sometimes there........ Posts: 7,063 Members Car: LTD Edition Fabia VRS Thanks: 41 Thanked 221 Times in 73 Posts	This is sickening. Could have been me I'm not one for sharing my personal problems at all, but s0d it, I have had to post this because it's really upset me. I just read this article on the Daily Mail site and I find it absolutely tragic 'I was told I was too young for a smear test but now I am dying of cervical cancer at just 24' \| Mail Online As it happens, I have just had to have Loop Diathermy, the treatment used to remove abnormal cells from the cervix. I had a 'Severe Abmormality' but being only 21 at the time I was "too young for a smear test" and the gynae told me this also, as I asked if I would get one to check it out. (I had a small lump on my cervix, but no other symptoms). They did a biopsy on it and when they got the result back they called me in for treatment. I guess I will be called for a follow up to check it's all ok again now. So, if this had never been noticed I could have ended up another one on this list of young girls denied the chance to find out if there is anything wrong. It makes me sick. WTF do we pay national insurance for???? __________________ Lorraine- AKA Loz, Lozkins, Lozza, Lozzy, Lozlet, Lozzette, Lozzle, Lozley, Lozraine, Lozalot, Lozatron, Lozatronic, Lozatroonathoone, Lozlatina, Loztalot, Lozingtonrain, Lozinator, Lozenge, Lozenger, Lozmanaught, Lozzy Loo, Lozzybear, Lozzy-wozzy-dooh-dah-day, () CouLoz of the rainbow, Lozano, Lozvaldo, Lorraineo, Lorrainickle, Lorrainus, Lez, Lezkins, Randomer & Mizz LB Can't change the way I am, sexy, naughty, bitchy!

10-06-2008, 13:08	#2
mattbeef Briskodian Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Sheffield Posts: 3,362 Members Car: Red Octy vRS Thanks: 36 Thanked 116 Times in 115 Posts	Re: This is sickening. Could have been me Sadly its a common think that plenty of women are asking to be tested and are being refused Least your one of the safe ones __________________ I few bits here and there but im happy to Performance Torque Go on click me you know you want to

10-06-2008, 13:10	#3
Loz Bad Loz!! Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: here..................... sometimes there........ Posts: 7,063 Members Car: LTD Edition Fabia VRS Thanks: 41 Thanked 221 Times in 73 Posts	Re: This is sickening. Could have been me I feel so, so sorry for her I still don't know if mine's ok yet, so still have that worry that I might end up with similar news. She is very brave __________________ Lorraine- AKA Loz, Lozkins, Lozza, Lozzy, Lozlet, Lozzette, Lozzle, Lozley, Lozraine, Lozalot, Lozatron, Lozatronic, Lozatroonathoone, Lozlatina, Loztalot, Lozingtonrain, Lozinator, Lozenge, Lozenger, Lozmanaught, Lozzy Loo, Lozzybear, Lozzy-wozzy-dooh-dah-day, () CouLoz of the rainbow, Lozano, Lozvaldo, Lorraineo, Lorrainickle, Lorrainus, Lez, Lezkins, Randomer & Mizz LB Can't change the way I am, sexy, naughty, bitchy!

10-06-2008, 13:11	#4
Johnny50 Here's Johnny ! Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Edinburgh Posts: 5,472 Members Car: Fabia vRS Thanks: 262 Thanked 174 Times in 170 Posts	Re: This is sickening. Could have been me I think it's shocking. SWMBO had exactly the same a few years back. Luckily she was of age to get a smear in the first place, but i really cant see where age comes into it. You could say the same for breast checkups too...they only come in at a certain age do they not ? Which again is shocking considering todays amount of problems that some women have.

10-06-2008, 13:13	#5
skodagirl1985 Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: East Lothian Posts: 1,625 Members Car: Skoda Fabia Vrs 130 Thanks: 46 Thanked 21 Times in 21 Posts	Re: This is sickening. Could have been me That is really sad that. i thought they tested women from 20 up?

10-06-2008, 13:18	#7
Loz Bad Loz!! Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: here..................... sometimes there........ Posts: 7,063 Members Car: LTD Edition Fabia VRS Thanks: 41 Thanked 221 Times in 73 Posts	Re: This is sickening. Could have been me You don't get called for a smear until you are 25 and they refuse to do it on anyone younger. Same for mammograms, I think thats about age 50, and a friend of mine has asked for one and has been refused. Another thing is, the first two practitioners who saw my lump thing said it was a polyp and nothing to worry about. Wasn't until I got myself referred to gynae that they said it wasn't a polyp and sent me to colposcopy. A friend of mine had recently been there with the same sort of thing so let me know what to expect. Wasn't pleasant. the biopsy alone left me with stomach ache for the rest of the day. __________________ Lorraine- AKA Loz, Lozkins, Lozza, Lozzy, Lozlet, Lozzette, Lozzle, Lozley, Lozraine, Lozalot, Lozatron, Lozatronic, Lozatroonathoone, Lozlatina, Loztalot, Lozingtonrain, Lozinator, Lozenge, Lozenger, Lozmanaught, Lozzy Loo, Lozzybear, Lozzy-wozzy-dooh-dah-day, () CouLoz of the rainbow, Lozano, Lozvaldo, Lorraineo, Lorrainickle, Lorrainus, Lez, Lezkins, Randomer & Mizz LB Can't change the way I am, sexy, naughty, bitchy!

10-06-2008, 13:21	#8
Johnny50 Here's Johnny ! Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Edinburgh Posts: 5,472 Members Car: Fabia vRS Thanks: 262 Thanked 174 Times in 170 Posts	Re: This is sickening. Could have been me Will they do a mammogram if they think there's a need ? Or is it a typical nightmare of 2nd/3rd opinions before you may be reffered ?

10-06-2008, 13:27	#10
Loz Bad Loz!! Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: here..................... sometimes there........ Posts: 7,063 Members Car: LTD Edition Fabia VRS Thanks: 41 Thanked 221 Times in 73 Posts	Re: This is sickening. Could have been me Go for the test. Let the loss of this poor girls life be a lesson and smack in the face to those who can't be bothered to be checked. think of the people who need one and are not allowed. Absolute disgrace tbh. I think it used to be a younger age in England too, but they are determined to f*ck us up in any way possible in this country. __________________ Lorraine- AKA Loz, Lozkins, Lozza, Lozzy, Lozlet, Lozzette, Lozzle, Lozley, Lozraine, Lozalot, Lozatron, Lozatronic, Lozatroonathoone, Lozlatina, Loztalot, Lozingtonrain, Lozinator, Lozenge, Lozenger, Lozmanaught, Lozzy Loo, Lozzybear, Lozzy-wozzy-dooh-dah-day, () CouLoz of the rainbow, Lozano, Lozvaldo, Lorraineo, Lorrainickle, Lorrainus, Lez, Lezkins, Randomer & Mizz LB Can't change the way I am, sexy, naughty, bitchy!

10-06-2008, 13:32	#11
swedishskoda Briskadoodian Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Sweden Posts: 3,094 Members Car: Felly Estate 1.6 LXi 1998 Thanks: 57 Thanked 165 Times in 151 Posts	Re: This is sickening. Could have been me In Sweden, pap smear screening starts at 23 and mammogram screening at 40. What's on its way here is to include HPV inoculation in the national inoculation programme so that all girls aged 10-12 will be offered inoculation for free (today moust county councils offer it, but parents have to pay even if the vaccine is subsidised). This will substantially reduce the risk for cervix cancer. But sadly it will increase the risk that women skip the screening... it happens already. And sadly there will always be the odd case even with earlier screening. I don't know about screening freqency in the UK, here it is every third year. So starting at 20 it basically means one extra test per woman at £25 or thereabouts... it ought to be affordable. __________________ It's feral ! It's fervid! It's a Felicia!

10-06-2008, 13:34	#13
Skodaboy1983 Skoda Junkie! Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: East Lothian Posts: 9,811 Members Car: Skoda Fabia VRS 130 Thanks: 387 Thanked 274 Times in 266 Posts	Re: This is sickening. Could have been me Skodagirl1985 - Think going for the test is the best idea, I know not a lot about these things but all I know is that if the doctor wants you to have it done it is out of precaution. __________________ 05 Lemon Yellow Fabia vRS, PD160, Green cotton filter, Stripes and B pilar Graphics, Cupra Splitter, Aero Wipers, Rear Number plate surround, silvertec indicators, and led side lights, Forge Strut Brace, Black vRS Alloys, Whiteline ARB!! Soon to come: A wee nip and tuck, fresh look

10-06-2008, 13:41	#17
Loz Bad Loz!! Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: here..................... sometimes there........ Posts: 7,063 Members Car: LTD Edition Fabia VRS Thanks: 41 Thanked 221 Times in 73 Posts	Re: This is sickening. Could have been me You are correct. It does sound silly. It is not terrifying. It's a swab - a cotton bud. __________________ Lorraine- AKA Loz, Lozkins, Lozza, Lozzy, Lozlet, Lozzette, Lozzle, Lozley, Lozraine, Lozalot, Lozatron, Lozatronic, Lozatroonathoone, Lozlatina, Loztalot, Lozingtonrain, Lozinator, Lozenge, Lozenger, Lozmanaught, Lozzy Loo, Lozzybear, Lozzy-wozzy-dooh-dah-day, () CouLoz of the rainbow, Lozano, Lozvaldo, Lorraineo, Lorrainickle, Lorrainus, Lez, Lezkins, Randomer & Mizz LB Can't change the way I am, sexy, naughty, bitchy!

10-06-2008, 13:49	#22
Loz Bad Loz!! Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: here..................... sometimes there........ Posts: 7,063 Members Car: LTD Edition Fabia VRS Thanks: 41 Thanked 221 Times in 73 Posts	Re: This is sickening. Could have been me No idea. Not heard anything back since I had the treatment yet. I guess they'll do a histology on what they removed. I think working for a life insurance co had made me paranoid. As soon as they told me it was there I wanted it removed and a histology run. If I'd applied for life cover (not that I have, I get it free through work anyway) and mentioned it then I would have been delayed Note No4 (until all investigations complete and results available) haha! Saddo. But if a life co wouln't take the risk, then why would I want to? Skodagirl - seriously, its just a (lubed) speculum to open you up a bit (not nice, but could be worse) then in a couple of seconds they'll have the sample and it will be over. I put myself forward for all I've been through, the docs all said it was 'probably nothing to worry about, but it was. Unpleasant and painful as the treatment was, I would do it again if I had to. Your life is worth more than that. __________________ Lorraine- AKA Loz, Lozkins, Lozza, Lozzy, Lozlet, Lozzette, Lozzle, Lozley, Lozraine, Lozalot, Lozatron, Lozatronic, Lozatroonathoone, Lozlatina, Loztalot, Lozingtonrain, Lozinator, Lozenge, Lozenger, Lozmanaught, Lozzy Loo, Lozzybear, Lozzy-wozzy-dooh-dah-day, () CouLoz of the rainbow, Lozano, Lozvaldo, Lorraineo, Lorrainickle, Lorrainus, Lez, Lezkins, Randomer & Mizz LB Can't change the way I am, sexy, naughty, bitchy!

10-06-2008, 13:52	#23
swedishskoda Briskadoodian Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Sweden Posts: 3,094 Members Car: Felly Estate 1.6 LXi 1998 Thanks: 57 Thanked 165 Times in 151 Posts	Re: This is sickening. Could have been me I just wonder whether Loz' horror tales of needles and charred holes are the right thing to calm down a nervous patient Don't think anyone actually looks forward to a trip to the G.P. But as has been said over and over again, no need to fear this one. OK, waiting for the results can be stressful, but the earlier you go, the lesser the risk. Finding a sympathetic doc is important, too. With a growing family (elder brothers and uncles ) maybe you can get recommendations? From your sore ear thread I understood that you do not particularly like visiting the doctor - maybe from previous unpleasant experience? Not all doctors are good at meeting their patients - but they are not all alike. __________________ It's feral ! It's fervid! It's a Felicia!

10-06-2008, 13:54	#24
Loz Bad Loz!! Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: here..................... sometimes there........ Posts: 7,063 Members Car: LTD Edition Fabia VRS Thanks: 41 Thanked 221 Times in 73 Posts	Re: This is sickening. Could have been me A smear wouldn't have any needles or charred holes, thats what I had to go through as a treatment. __________________ Lorraine- AKA Loz, Lozkins, Lozza, Lozzy, Lozlet, Lozzette, Lozzle, Lozley, Lozraine, Lozalot, Lozatron, Lozatronic, Lozatroonathoone, Lozlatina, Loztalot, Lozingtonrain, Lozinator, Lozenge, Lozenger, Lozmanaught, Lozzy Loo, Lozzybear, Lozzy-wozzy-dooh-dah-day, () CouLoz of the rainbow, Lozano, Lozvaldo, Lorraineo, Lorrainickle, Lorrainus, Lez, Lezkins, Randomer & Mizz LB Can't change the way I am, sexy, naughty, bitchy!