Cervical Screening Letters

  • 28 replies
  • 28 subscribers
  • 1970 views

I wondered if anyone else had the same issue as me.

Not long after being diagnosed with cervical cancer the first time, I received the cervical screening invitation letter. I asked my gp surgery to be taken off the “list” for this as I already had cancer and would be followed up with examinations following treatment. They agreed and I heard no more.

Suddenly 2 days ago I got another letter from the screening service inviting me for a smear! I phoned my gp surgery and asked them to stop giving my name to the screening service-they said they would try and see what they could do. I explained about my surgery, but they just don’t understand. 

As I don’t have a cervix and have had my vagina removed and sewn up from the inside, I wonder where they intend to put the speculum????

I found myself getting really annoyed that no-one listens, and I will probably start getting reminder letters now. All it does is remind me what I’ve lost. 

Sarah xx

  • Hi SarahH21 welcome to the forum and i am so sorry to hear what is happening for you. That is so frustrating, especially when you have already spoken to the GP practice. If I remember rightly they do a run of eligible patients and send this to the screening services. It may be that you have to go directly to the screening service themselves if you have got contact details for them and ask them to remove you from the screening programme and hopefully they may be a bit more sensible and helpful about this for you. Does that seem like a feasible option or not? 

    gail

     
    Community Champion Badge

  • Hi Gail  

    I’m not sure where my signature has disappeared to but I’m actually the champ for this group, so not new to the forum.

    The first thing I checked was for any contact details for the screening service, but the letter gives no details hence phoning the surgery since I presume they provide the patient details in the first place.

    Thanks anyway for trying to help.

    Sarah xx


    Community Champion Badge

    Cervical Cancer Forum

    Macmillan Support Line - 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week between 8am-8pm

  • Hi Sarah, apart from anything else don't they stop screening anyway after a certain age, not that I know your age but I do so empathise with you about this.  I also have received reminders and really don't understand as I have internal examinations every three months anyway!  I'm sure quite a while ago, long before this, I received a letter enabling me to opt out.  Could this be a possibility?  Do the screening service themselves have a number, oh somebody already said thatThinking.  I am pleased to hear that all is well after your recent medical experience.

    I really don't know what to suggest but I hope you find a solution xxx

  • Hi Sarah, just had a quick look online and from what I can see everyone is saying contact theJo's Cervical Cancer Trust helpline on 0808 802 8000.  Sorry if that's not very helpful.... xxx

  • Hi Julie  

    Thanks-I’ll just hope my gp surgery has listened. I’ve never had anything enabling me to opt out, but my surgery should have me on a list not to be contacted because my surgery makes it pointless-I cannot ever have a smear-but invites stop at 65 in the UK anyway. I’ll just bin any further ones if they continue to arrive, but I’ll be annoyed if they do after me advising the gp. 

    Hope you’re doing well Julie and all is good!

    Sarah xx


    Community Champion Badge

    Cervical Cancer Forum

    Macmillan Support Line - 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week between 8am-8pm

  • Hi  

    Excuse me for butting in but signatures never appear on a post anyone starts, they only appear in replies. I think it's a glitch.

    x

    Community Champion Badge

     "Never regret a day in your life, good days give you happiness, bad days give you experience"

  • Thanks for that explanation   

    I wasn’t aware of that-seems strange, and I suppose it’s just that I never noticed before. Glad you explained-I’ll be aware next time. I just went back and looked at a thread I started in the bladder group a while ago and you are quite right-no signature. However the champ there knew who I was from previous posts! 

    Thanks for dropping in to clear that up.

    Sarah xx


    Community Champion Badge

    Cervical Cancer Forum

    Macmillan Support Line - 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week between 8am-8pm

  • Hi Sarah, my daughter Sarah has had the same letters sent. Three times. She too got cross, as she is similar to you. She had to ring them. They were obviously sorry. Not enough communication.

    x

  • Hi  

    I’ve just noticed your post here. Normally, even after a hysterectomy you should still be recalled for what’s called a “vault smear” to check for abnormal cells which may have recurred as it is possible to still be at risk even if the cervix has been removed.

    Sarah xx


    Community Champion Badge

    Cervical Cancer Forum

    Macmillan Support Line - 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week between 8am-8pm

  • Hi Julie and Sarah.

    Hope you're both keeping well? I also had the dilemma about smear screening and rang my GP. Age informed me that I no longer need it done( even though I still have womb and cervix) But age said that my results would always come back abnormal due to treatment so there's no need. 

    Hope this helps.

    Angela xx