Ladies....please read.

[Paula-C]

I'm posting here to ask you all not to ignore the letter when it arrives for your smear test. Not to think.....I'm flaring and I'll have problems getting on and off the bed......I can't take anymore time off work....I'm to busy to go. I know it's not a pleasant thing to have done but it's so important.

My youngest daughter nearly didn't go for hers when the letter arrived, she told me she only went because she was off work with a broken shoulder. The result of the smear came back with abnormal cells. She had to have a biopsy done and she was told the following week she had cervical cancer. No symptoms at all, all of us devastated. She had to have a ct and mri scan to see if had spread. Thankfully it hadn't. She had a hysterectomy last month, they took away her womb, cervix, part of her vagina and her lymph nodes. She was given the good news last Thursday that apart from what they already knew about, everything else was healthy....the cancer was gone, no chemo or radiation needed. She's doing remarkably well at the moment, I've renamed her Wonder Woman.

So ladies....please...please...don't ignore your letter when it arrives, even if you think there's no need because I've not been sexually active since my last one, (I've found out that the hpv virus can lay dormant in your body for years). If my daughter hadn't if had hers done, well, I'm sure you all know what the outcome could of been.

[sjhewitt42]

A great message to send out. We are all busy and hard to fit everything in but we must find time for these tests. I also believe we should all be screened for breast cancer much younger. Glad your daughter is on the mend and she obviously has a lovely, caring mom too. xx

[Shalf]

Thanks for posting Paula. So sorry to read of your daughter , what a shock for you both! Glad things are better. I had a smear few months ago and the result is fine but yes, in the past it has crossed my mind ' to go later'. - ' too busy' etc. Thank you for highlighting the importance of it! Sending much love to you and family xxx

[Ruth12345]

So glad your daughter is doing well. Well done for sending the email.

[MissMinto]

A great post - I'm so sorry your daughter has had such a hideous time and such invasive surgery.

My best friend kept putting it off for about 2 years and when she finally had it, discovered that she had full blown cancer that then spread to her liver and lungs. She didn't make it, and in her memory I religiously kept all appointments.

I've just had what was my last smear test at 61, because I'd be due for a repeat in 5 years when I'll be 66 and the cut-off is 65...after that you don't get called back for any more.

This worries me, because as you say, the HP virus (which I carry) lies dormant without symptoms and lack of partner/sex life guarantees nothing.

[Shalf in reply to MissMinto]

So sorry to read this re your best friend. How devastating. Didn't know cut off was 65. My word, we learn something every day! Xx

[nomoreheels in reply to MissMinto]

I'm sorry to hear this MissM. It does prove that such a quick examination is worth the little time it takes. No, it's not particularly nice & it can pinch for some women but the alternative is very painful, not to say invasive, or worse as you are well aware. So sorry for your loss, you must miss her very much.

[Trulysad-76]

What a brave daughter you have. I hope she stays in good health now and a brilliant name, Wonder Woman!

Thank you for sharing this, so many including myself have ignored smears due to the indignity of it but will make sure I go to my next one.

Wishes to your daughter that she remains cancer free xx

[4seasons]

Pleased that your daughter is recovering from her operation .

It is good news ! Hope you are feeling better too Paula . x

[navitra]

Omg! I’m more than 27 years without have one. I couldn’t do. It’s so painful.

[nomoreheels]

What a good enough reason to remind those who have a tendency to be lax I'm such, thank you Paula. I'm so sorry your daughter has gone through all she has such radical surgery will take some recovering from yet I'm delighted that the news is positive. I am one of those who does respond to screening programmes... smears (literally 5 mins), mammograms (half an hour), bowel cancer screening (half an hour) but my sister in law doesn't & it does concern me. Her philosophy is if I've got it I don't want to know, we've all to die of something. I initially tried reasoning with her, giving the example of a friend who succumbed to breast cancer leaving two young boys & a husband all because of burying her head in the sand but there's no talking her round so I've given up. But then she thinks I'm on far too many meds for 'arthritis', she manages with Voltarol gel!

Once again I'm so pleased things are so positive, I totally understand why you call her Wonder Woman. I'm relieved for you too, you must have been to hell & back, such an important message though. x

[Paula-C]

Thank you all for your replies. I posted about it on another group I belong to and have prompted a few on there to make an appointment to have theirs done. I just want to stress the importance of having it done. We are very lucky in this country to be given the chance of screening for various things. My daughter told me she felt the fittest she been for years, yet all of that was going on inside her. If it's caught early enough it can be treated with a good outcome. She'll have checks every three months for the first two years and then every six months for the following three years. I'm pleased about this.

I still can't believe what's happened these past few months, I'm her mum and there was nothing I could do to help her. All I kept thinking about was what happened to Jade Goody, I'd be alright for a while then all of a sudden I'd been sobbing uncontrollably. My minds taken me to some very dark places. Heaven knows what's it's been like for her, shes had her moments understandably, but most of the time she's put on a brave face, truly amazing. She's divorced with two children so it's been incredibly hard for her.

I've witnessed the NHS at its finest. She went for her first appointment at the hospital on the 4th September, had the biposy done that day, nine days later she had an appointment where the dreadful news was given to her. Following week mri scan and ct scan, follow up appointment for results within a week and then hysterectomy on the 15th October. All of that done within six weeks!

She started working at home part time last week, driving short journeys this week (consultant said she could), she was even baking last weekend. Truly, wonderfully, amazing. xx