F62
*Pap Smear*
June 12 2018
Comments
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RHP User
8 years ago
Cervical cancer incidence and mortality rates have halved in Australia since the introduction of the National Cervical Screening Program in 1991. This program offered a free Pap test every two years to women between the ages of 18 and 70. A number of changes have now come into effect as of 1 December 2017. These changes recognise the introduction of a vaccine against specific strains of the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), which causes almost all cases of cervical cancer. The new screening program is designed to work together with the HPV vaccination program to help reduce the incidence of cervical cancer. HPV is a very common sexually transmitted infection which usually shows no symptoms and goes away by itself. Persistent HPV infection can cause abnormal cells to develop on the cervix. Over a long time, these abnormal cells may develop into cervical cancer if left untreated. The new Cervical Screening Test procedure is similar to a Pap smear test. For both tests a doctor or nurse takes a sample of cells from the cervix. However, the Pap smear test used to look for abnormal cells in the cervix, while the Cervical Screening Test looks for HPV infection. The new test for HPV can identify women who could be at risk of cervical cancer earlier than the Pap test could. Women aged 25 to 74 years of age should have a Cervical Screening Test two years after their last Pap test. Subsequently, you will only need to have the test every five years if your results are normal. The reason the age has change from 18 to 25 for your first screening is that most women under the age of 25 will have been vaccinated for HPV. In addition, cervical cancer in women under 25 is rare. Having a test for HPV every five years offers the best chance of preventing cervical cancer. It is a quick and simple test used to check for HPV infection. Why have a Cervical Screening test?The new Cervical Screening Test is more accurate than the Pap smear test and the best test available for the prevention of most cases of cervical cancer. All women between the ages of 25 and 74 should have a HPV test every five years. What about the vaccine for cervical cancer?Cervical cancer mostly occurs as a consequence of a human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. There are more than 200 different types of HPV, but only a few types that affect the cervix. Vaccines are now available that prevent the types of HPV infection that cause most cervical cancers but do not protect against all the types of HPV that can cause cervical cancers. All vaccinated and unvaccinated women still need to have a Cervical Screening Test every five years. What is an unsatisfactory Cervical Screening Test?An unsatisfactory Cervical Screening Test means that the laboratory staff could not detect any cells to give a report. In this case, you may be asked to have a repeat test. This is not a cause for alarm. What does a positive Cervical Screening Test result mean?If your results show that HPV infection was not detected you will be sent a reminder to have your next screening test in five years. It is natural to feel anxious or worried if you have just found out that your HPV test is positive. HPV is present in 99.7 per cent of cervical cancer cases. However, not all HPV infections lead to cervical cancer. Most women don’t know they have HPV until they receive positive HPV test result. For most women the virus clears naturally in one to two years. However, in some cases HPV may take longer to clear from the body, increasing the risk of developing cervical cancer. If HPV is found, additional tests will automatically be done on the same sample of cells in the laboratory. Your doctor will let you know what will happen next. Depending on the results of all of the tests, you might have a repeat Cervical Screening Test in 12 months, to see if the HPV infection has cleared, or might have a follow-up procedure called a colposcopy. It's important to remember that HPV infections usually clear on their own. Also keep in mind that most abnormal cells are not cervical cancer, and can usually be treated quickly and painlessly. What if I’ve had an abnormal Pap smear result before?If a past Pap smear test picked up an abnormality, you will continue to have personalised care from your specialist or doctor. This might include regular appointments and tests for a period of time. Cancer Council recommends that women of any age who have symptoms (including pain or abnormal vaginal bleeding or discharge) should see their doctor immediately.
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RHP User
8 years ago
for posting all that here as many people may not be aware of all that important info.Women must all have their smear test when necessary. It causes a small amount of discomfort - none of us enjoy having it done but we MUST do it.Your doctor will normally send you a reminder when it comes time to have it done again.Had mine done earlier this year so all good for now. My doctor explained the changes that took place in Dec 2017 that you referred to in your post.And I'm sure that for those who are partnered and whose test results are not clear and require further investigation, maybe even an operation, your partners will provide much needed loving support to you.
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MsJonesy
8 years ago
Received my reminder letter for the cervical scree last week, so will trotting off to the docs soon. Also worth reminding everyone about mammograms. I find them more uncomfortable than the other procedures, but still get them done; my aunt has had 2 bouts of breast cancer so I won't ignore the risk.
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RHP User
8 years ago
Good reminder. - Posted from rhpmobile
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RHP User
8 years ago
We all drive a car and we fill up the tank check the oil, water and tyres each week so, why do we neglect our health ladies. We all hate going for this but remember this it takes all of 10 minutes and it could save your life. Hey, it is less painful than when most of us gave birth and then we had more than one person having a look down there and in some cases bigger instruments being inserted. Yes, I am bit slack with some of those cancer check ups but when you have someone in the family that has got the Cancer news it soon changes your look on life. So do not use that old excuse of too busy, it will not happen to me or tomorrow I will, just pick up your phone and ring your health center and book a what we call a "full lady check up". Ladies look after number one YOU!!!
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RHP User
8 years ago
I'm very late with mine. Just don't find the time as my GP is an hour away. Easy.....change GP'S. Booked. I wouldn't mind, they've never bothered me either. - Posted from rhpmobile
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RHP User
8 years ago
Got the text yesterday, just in time for a prebooked gynae appointment for something else, kill two birds with one stone - Posted from rhpmobile
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RHP User
8 years ago
Ain’t nothin quite like a good cunt scrape 😂😂 - Posted from rhpmobile
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RHP User
8 years ago
I'm sure you'll have no trouble with updating your details, Google suggested it was pretty easy. The idea of having a set date makes sense to fit it into a routine, building good habits is the best. Long may your results be negative ones. You know what I mean... and... Thanks ladies... Don't forget to follow up on the 'reminder', Singlelady is right about looking after YOU! Peachy
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RHP User
7 years ago
Don't let them forget you! Just over a week ago, the woman I mentioned in my OP rang to remind them she was supposed to be in the system... They then noted the high risk attachment with the referral and rushed through the appointment, a full month after the referral had been sent. The visual diagnosis is high risk. 2 weeks till official results. In the meantime, I've managed to ignore my need for my delayed pap smear so far but having found a lump in my breast that is probably just a cyst, I'll be moving my pretty little arse along. Peachy
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RHP User
7 years ago
Mine is overdue by a few months.. I got the text notification from the Drs and then the letter in the mail and I still have not followed it up...
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RHP User
7 years ago
I mean it literally, Peachy
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Seachange73
7 years ago
Had mine last week after 5 years. I know, been slack. Awaiting results. I'm also getting the whole annual physical Next week, including Blood tests. Just need the time to fast for 12 hours before test.
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RHP User
7 years ago
Good luck with it all, I feel for you having to fast! Peachy, loves her food
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RHP User
7 years ago
I needed new scripts, so I have made the dreaded appointment, finally. God, I hate visiting the Drs, don't worry about the personal space invasion... sigh. Peachy
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RHP User
7 years ago
I had to return to the Dr because I 'forgot' the most urgent sounding part of my appointment. That was granted after I explained I had an actual lump. We left again, only to have to return to pick up the script I'd handed in, lol. Stress is a killer of focus. Peachy, be easy on yourself at times like these
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RHP User
7 years ago
First off, guys don't forget that men can get breast cancer too! Second up, well I decided to save y'all the details of the follow up as it went until now... A mammogram and ultrasound of both breasts discovered 2 more lumps in the left breast both bigger than the one on the right. Though they looked non-threatening I did a follow up FNA (fine needle aspiration) on the 3 lumps and received a call from the Dr's on Thursday to come in for my results, which I did yesterday. It was a restless night as I supposed things weren't as innocent as it had seemed they were going to be, which was confirmed by the Dr during the appointment. The lump I found seems to be the most threatening, though it is the smallest, lol. One of the lumps on the left breast is benign, the other indeterminate. The next step is a core biopsy on each of the 2 lumps to determine where we go from there. My follow up appointments are to be asap. It's a head spin and a half but bless the blissful run up. Get your checks people, just because you can't feel it doesn't mean it's not there, but don't panic if you find a lump because some are benign and that is the result to hope for. Positive thoughts... My pap was clear as I posted somewhere else and I won't need to worry about that for 5 years now because of my 'stage of life' lol. The pap for the other person I hold dear came up as cin 3 which is to be treated with an appointment still 2 months from now. Peachy, wondering what her future is to hold... not asking for details!
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RHP User
7 years ago
But good on you all for taking the time for something so very important. it can be life saving
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RHP User
7 years ago
Men can get breast cancer too... Peachy, and here I am wondering if life is a bitch...
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RHP User
7 years ago
.
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RHP User
7 years ago
Well, the central referral site is running many days behind and I still haven't hit the system 7 days later. The breast clinic people are not impressed that potential cancer cases are run through the system which just adds another step to the process of getting medical support, it's ridiculous. They were great with me as a slightly hysterical customer who went through follow a follow up FNA (fine needle aspiration) as a just in case measure because everything seemed ok, till the results came back and it wasn't. Test results will be back on Tuesday with any luck, after the failed core sample attempt because the trigger on the gun wouldn't work, and when it did it work, it turned out that the needle wasn't taking the biopsy like it is supposed to. An apparently bad batch of needles. They did another FNA on the most threatening looking lump while I was there anyway and some cell blocks too. That ended up bulk billed under the circumstances. It's lucky I don't panic over nothing because, just wow... My beautiful Dr who had to be away last week rang and checked on me when she got back! Life is a funny bitch, and that is where I got the idea for my sins being genders thread rather than the idea taken that I was trying to lump sins on a whole gender, lol. That would be sexist, Peachy, peaceful on a Sundee...
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RHP User
7 years ago
And had the dubious pleasure of multiple holes in my breasts to achieve the core biopsies. Got my results this Tuesday. Benign, oh yay! So, I'll be around some time yet, lol. Because they are growing though, the 2 main lumps will have to be removed in the next few weeks. Yeek! The right side, directly under the nipple, is a rare lump that the Dr had to look up because she'd never seen it before. Moment of pride for our ability to do things differently and laugh at life. For the left breast, after having a CISM this week which is a cross between a mammogram with the imaging of an MRI after using 'contrast', I have a baseline to keep an eye on the other lumps I couldn't even feel so they don't have to biopsy every one individually and make me into a pin cushion. I do have the proper names for the 2 types but didn't think we needed to go so deeply into it unless someone actually wants to know more, lol. God bless my booful boobs in the weeks ahead, I don't know how they will look after removal of lumps. Right now, they're scarred up and that was just from wide bore needles and the dressings. It has given me a sense beyond myself of how other women can feel, specially having met and chatted with them in the clinic for the hours it can take for an appointment overall. Maybe the best part of the emotional therapy? I did see a guy there other day men, so keep an eye on yourselves in the breast cancer category too. Peachy, still loving that my Dr called me delightful in her letter to my GP. PS: I spent a hour plus some for the biopsies and despite the moment took the piss out of it with the staff and hubby. Life is a funny bitch, gotta laugh at her.
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RHP User
7 years ago
Good luck, hope everything will be ok.Best wishes.
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RHP User
7 years ago
Thank you for the wishes. Funny, as in ironic, they'd like to see me tomorrow after the CISM on my left breast last week that was supposed to be a baseline of slow growing lumps to be referred back to next year. The beginning of today really was shitty. Right from him being called into work unexpectedly, to my getting to be awake for the National Apology, to learning of the Breast Clinic wanting to see me tomorrow, to the power steering of our beloved car dying on the way home. Lucky blessings have worked that we have transportation lol. And I got to meet some real RHPers... Hehehe
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RHP User
7 years ago
So the CISM showed a Papiloma that looked a little different from the rest, so they have decided to get me in for another core biopsy next week before going ahead to set up an appointment for surgery to remove the lumps. Yay, Peachy
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