i am 22 i have had 3 boyfriends since the age of 19 although my latest one i have been with for well over a year and i heard someone talking about smear tests and im worried now!
2006-09-11 00:27:44 · 13 answers · asked by kimmy 2 in Health ➔ Women's Health
In the UK (England) you will not be invited for your first smear until you are 25 yrs old. The reasons behind this are:-
"Cervical cancer is rare in women under 20. Teenagers' bodies, particularly the cervix, are still developing, which means young women may get an abnormal smear result when there is nothing wrong. This could lead to unnecessary treatment so screening young women might do more harm than good.
Under the age of 25 years, invasive cancer is extremely rare, but changes in the cervix are common. Although lesions treated in very young women may prevent cancers from developing many years later, the evidence1 suggests that screening could start at age 25. Lesions that are destined to progress will still be screen-detectable and those that would regress will no longer be a source of anxiety. Younger women will not have to undergo unnecessary investigations and treatments.
Any woman under 25 who is concerned about her risk of developing cervical cancer or her sexual health generally, should contact her GP or Genito-Urinary Medicine (GUM) clinic."
Please use the link below for the best source of information about smears in the UK.
2006-09-11 00:40:08 · answer #1 · answered by andyp2904 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There are many kinds of "smear" tests. If you mean those for certain sexually transmitted diseases, that depends on whether you have symptoms or what your level of risk is. For example, do you ever have unprotected sex?
If you mean the "Pap smear" which is the cervical cancer screening test, normally that's done about once a year if the previous test was normal. If it was mildly abnormal, it is repeated sooner or other tests like a colposcopy is done. If you have two or three normal Pap smears, some doctors will only do them every two or three years, but if you are not completely monogamous (and so is your partner!) annually is better.
If you have never had a Pap smear, part of the "well woman" annual exam, you are several years overdue, especially since you are sexually active. You also want to find out if you have already contracted HPV because if you have not, there is a vaccine you need to take to prevent many kinds of cervical cancer.
Pap smears are very helpful in detecting cervical cancer, often in the precancerous stage, when it is highly curable and the ability to have future pregnancies can be protected. Early cerical cancer can be 95% or higher curable but advanced the cure rate drops to 30% or less and may involve drastic surgery.
Don't just worry, take care of yourself. Male an appointment and discuss all of this with an OB/Gyn specialist or nurse .practicioner.
2006-09-11 00:39:38 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
In the uk all women between the ages of 20 and 65 are invited for a test every 3 years, some suggest annual tests are better.
The risk of cervical cancer is cut by 84% if you have a smear test every 5 years, and 91% every 3 years. Having an annual smear test reduces the risk an extra 1-2%. It's a simple test and nothing to worry about.
2006-09-11 00:37:36 · answer #3 · answered by solstice 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm giving you my own personal experience I started on birth control pills at an early age 16. They gave them to me to regulate my periods. I was not sexually active till 18, but I used to go every six mts after I got married at 23 because my Dr. would only give me 6mts supply. this was quite some time ago. but ironicially I used to be a histologist and I would stain these pap smears.At age 31 left my husband,had a 3yr old went home to mom and dad. Went to my old gyn who did a pap, gave me my 6 mts supply of bc pills and I was off. Three days later his office called for a repeat smear, when I saw Dr. he informed me I had an abnormal smear, did a cervical bx, came back cancer, and was well into my uterus-result partial hysterectomy at 31. So yes I thionk a woman who is sexually active, or on bc pills go at least once a year. I was lucky but cancer showed up in me within 6 mts. P.S. this was a while ago and I never had HPV in my history. At least go and get checked for any STD or better yet use thos condoms their not only for birth control, they can save your life....Literally
2006-09-11 01:14:06 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
In Australia it is recommended you have a Pap Smear test done every 2 years. By the sounds of it you havent had one done at all. Better go and see your Doctor and have one done.
cheers...
2006-09-11 00:38:45 · answer #5 · answered by wickedly_funny66 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You need a smear test every 3 years, this is to make sure your cervix is cancer free.
2006-09-11 00:50:43 · answer #6 · answered by ***Missy*** 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You need them to check for abnormal cells in the cervix that can signal cervical cancer. If they're caught early enough and removed then there's normally no problem.
I believe you have your first one at 25 - the hospital will be in contact with you. If you're really worried, go talk to your GP, they'll be able to tell you more than I have.
2006-09-11 00:31:14 · answer #7 · answered by Tallia 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It detects cervical cancer. You should have one every 3 years (or 5 years in some parts of the country) Go along to your local family planning or your GP cos you need to have one.
2006-09-11 00:30:23 · answer #8 · answered by Emma W 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You should start having smear tests annually once you're sexually active. Make a "long" appointment at your GP.
2006-09-11 00:30:14 · answer #9 · answered by Rue 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You need to have a pap smear done every year once you become sexually active.
2006-09-11 00:32:01 · answer #10 · answered by **KELLEY** 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋