cervical smears only from 25 - Cancer: Cervical & Ovarian Message Board

gemini123 · 03-18-2009, 01:05 AM

In the UK smear tests are only done for women over the age of 25 even if they have been sexually active since 16, [url]http://www.cancerscreening.nhs.uk/cervical/[/url]

personally i find this outrageous

Is this the same in other countries?

what do others think?

luvbug412 · 03-18-2009, 05:47 AM

In US I think the recommendation is appx. 3 yrs after first sexual intercourse or by age 21 w/ women under 30 getting screened annually due to high risk age group because of the prevalence of HPV.

gemini123 · 03-18-2009, 06:26 AM

I think that sounds much better LuvBug

This issue is fairly high profile at the moment in UK, i learnt this morning that there are a few areas in England that will test earlier than 25 years of age but people are pushing for this to be the case accross the whole of the country.

luvbug412 · 03-18-2009, 06:50 AM

It's to bad though that a woman (who was lucky enough to be in the national spotlight when it happened) has to go through what she is going through just to get people to pay attention.

I keep following Jade's story - things could have been done different but the fact of the matter is despite her reality show stardom, she will pay the dearest price so other women will not have to go through what she is.

I just hope it is enough to get the laws changed... 25 is way to late especially with more and more evidence showing that not only are girls having sex at a younger age, but the mean age of finding abnormalities is dropping.

LilyL21 · 03-18-2009, 06:58 AM

I wrote on this same subject and someone pointed out to me that 25 is the recommended age, but they will pay for pap smears any time the GP orders one.

I think 25 is RIDICULOUS to be the recommended age, and hopefully after Jade women will start asking for them earlier!