I received a letter saying that I should book an appointment for a cervical cancer screening. This is the second time I have received the letter. I was wondering if it's painful and if it's worth it. I don't think I will have cervical cancer because it's not really a common cancer in my family. It's only suppose to be for ladies who are 25 so I'll make an appointment when I turn 25. Lol the NHS is more interested in my lady bits than concentrating on mental health issues

[*Laurie*]

Please get the screening. Every woman should have it, even if it doesn't run in your family. For me, a PAP smear is not painful and goes so quickly. And the peace of mind is fabulous.

In Canada we get them done every 3 years from when you are sexually active or a certain age (can't remember). It doesn't hurt or take much time and it could save your life. I know someone who had cervical cancer when she was much younger than 25. They caught it early and she was able to go on and have kids after. Its so important.

[Persephone518]

If I had waited until age 25 to get screened for cervical cancer, I might very well be dead. I was diagnosed at age 22 with pre-cancerous cells (this was long before HPV vaccines were available to teens) and had to undergo several procedures and get re-tested every three months until the PAP results were clear again. To add insult to injury, my lousy insurance refused to cover any of it and I almost had to declare bankruptcy from all the medical bills. At the time, the screening guideline here in the US was once a year beginning at age 21 or whenever you become sexually active. If I had to give a recommendation to others, I would strongly advise getting tested as soon as you become sexually active. I found out the hard way that all it takes is one infected partner--in my case, it was my first and only partner at the time, and he had been given a full STD screening (I made sure he showed me the results before we started having sex) and I still ended up contracting HPV from him. Like I said, if I waited another four years to get tested, my cervical cancer might have been too advanced to treat.

TL; DR: the age to start getting screened for cervical cancer is the age when you become sexually active. Never mind the government guidelines.

[harshtiwari]

I think you need to go for cervical cancer screening in every 3 years, because it doesn't matter your family member has cervical cancer or not

Originally Posted by harshtiwari

I think you need to go for cervical cancer screening in every 3 years, because it doesn't matter your family member has cervical cancer or not

The only thing that stops me is the pain.

[Shazerac]

It’s important to get screened. My sister never took care or herself and hated doctors. She ended up with advanced cervical cancer by the time they found out it was all over her body. She lingered for 10 years and died this past July. Please get screened. It’s not fun to get poked around in your lady parts in a medical setting, but it’s worth to save your life.

Originally Posted by Shazerac

It’s important to get screened. My sister never took care or herself and hated doctors. She ended up with advanced cervical cancer by the time they found out it was all over her body. She lingered for 10 years and died this past July. Please get screened. It’s not fun to get poked around in your lady parts in a medical setting, but it’s worth to save your life.

anyway I'd rather die younger. I'm not that important.

[*Laurie*]

Originally Posted by happycheeks

anyway I'd rather die younger. I'm not that important.

Sounds like you're very depressed and probably angry.

Dying is one thing...suffering for months or years with cancer before you die is quite another.

Originally Posted by *Laurie*

Sounds like you're very depressed and probably angry.

Dying is one thing...suffering for months or years with cancer before you die is quite another.

I just want to die seriously

[Artchic528]

Originally Posted by happycheeks

I just want to die seriously

You're clearly in need of help. Please call a hotline.