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NHS England: A Call to Action

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'Do you have a letter to be swobbed for Cervical Cancer?'

daffyduck92 profile image
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Called the Dr's this morning in regards to my first 'Cervical Cancer' screen. Explained it is my first one & I was advised to have one earlier if possible as I have Endometriosis (upcoming 3rd laparoscopy since I was 19 & im now 24) and Polycystic ovaries. Advised to have the screen & again go to the 'GUM' clinic. The receptionist asked if I recieved a letter or I wouldnt be allowed one.. Wouldnt be allowed to have a Cervical Cancer screen when advised by a Doctor?! Luckily I did have a letter and she apologised. When making the appointment she said '20th July'.. I asked if there was anything sooner as I'd much rather get it over and done with, alas no.

I pondered on this conversation and couldnt help but ask why?

- Amber Cliff sadly passed away January 2017 aged 25 after a diagnosis of Cervical Cancer at 21, despite numerous pleads of having one to NHS doctors. *Please follow Amber's Law for the petition to sign and have the smear test age lowered.

- Sorcha Glenn sadly passed away 17 days after finding out her cancer was terminal in October 2014. She received a diagnosis of Cervical cancer in September 2013, she was 22 years old.

- Jess Evans

- Sophie Jones sadly passed aged 19!

NHS changed the smears to age 25 in 2003 and I have enlisted few cases. I have been told to wait 17 days for a smear test which is to identify whether there are cancer cells then a further 2 weeks for results; in total 4 weeks and 3 days on the provision the results are on time. Is this a serious matter?

HPV vaccine is for young girls aged 12/13 prior engaging in sex, unfortunately; they start younger and there will be individuals who were 'too old' for the vaccine.

I think as a community we need to come together to look 'age' restrictions and being too old or too young in regards our health! However I do understand there will be restrictions but not on Cancer!

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Why not just try to follow the procedure, instead of fighting it. You are no likelier to die of cervical cancer by waiting until the date of your smear test, than by making a fuss about wanting it right now and and worrying about things that are highly unlikely to happen. The case you mention is a very rare instance.

The majority of women go through the procedure upon receiving a reminder from their GP practice, and I'd say that, in the majority of cases, get the test via the practice nurse, often waiting several weeks before receiving an appointment to do so.

You will make your life less chaotic and easier to cope with, if you work with people, not against them. Although you are the number one priority to you, you are not necessarily to everyone else, simply because the whole of the NHS is extremely busy and you have to take your turn in the queue.

With regard to age restrictions on tests, those who are outside the age limits are always considered for testing if their symptoms require it, and, when you reach the upper age limit you can 'opt in' for further routine testing, if you wish.

This may not be your ideal, but I doubt that the NHS will never be able to tailor make its services unless, (to use some words from Theresa May), it can grow its own money tree.

daffyduck92 profile image
daffyduck92 in reply to

Thankyou for your reply!

I'm not fighting it at all, and I'm not making a fuss of wanting it right now. My post was merely a discussion as I was shocked after the amount of cases and the procedure as its relating to Cancer; perhaps that is me being unaware as I havent been in the situation before. I admit I want it over and done with due to it apparently causing discomfort.

Looking at the cases, they had been to the Drs and the Drs had said they were too young?

skybluepink profile image
skybluepink in reply to

You sound as if you are the unthinking person who designed this torture as you appear not to have reason or ability to understand need for urgent assistance .You just insult rubbing salt into the wound .Is this intimidation a gender bias it is certainly not appropriate, as there is a NHS Constitution.

My late Father a pharmacist ,over 40 yrs ago, had to go private to access urgent assistance re: prostrate cancer then referred back into system extending his life 30 yrs + into his 90s .Now no longer .

I too have been spending a fortune to access diagnosis & treatment to no avail here as it appears the NHS is the enemy as most of us humans have multi chronic conditions which are acute if problems not flagged up early by testing from specialists.

I too have been refused regular smears despite genetic predisposition & history to point have had to access the Europeans & private sector who are same Drs not allowing second opinions or claims .Could it be they are not taking hippocratic oaths as would have to stand up to be counted as this is not ethical in fact downright negligent .Otherwise why ? And why do lawyers not want to give a fair hearing also.

I'm not going to engage in a tit-for-tat insults session, because this forum is supposed to be for helping people. Please accept my apology if I have caused you any offence. It was certainly not meant. It's not my style!

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