Women - Pap Smears What's the Deal?

[hatara]

I went for my annual ob-gyn exam today like I do every year. I have 2 friends online I talked to about this, both with children. One hasn't had a pap smear in 8 years and the other hasn't had one for 11 years. I try to talk to them about it and get no where with either one.

I got "I don't like them," from one. Well who does? You need it, you do it, it takes 10 minutes and it's done. If you won't go to ob-gyn then go to your regular md they can do it.

The other simply told me "I am not dying." Then when I pointed out she could by not getting checked said "Well we are all dying it's just a matter of time." That is a total cop out and I told her so.

Both women are mothers with daughters. What kind of example are they teaching them. They have the oil in their cars changed. They do what they need to for their families and yet ignore their own health and just say "I don't want to, I don't like it."

They say they put their families first. Ignoring their health isn't doing that. The arguments I am getting are just plain ridiculous and both are smart, intelligent women that know all the health risks associated.

WHY???????

 

[peachykeen]

Beats me! That is just plain foolishness.

 

[Tantanah]

It's not the most comfortable thing in the world to have to go through. But it's so necessary.

Usually when I go in for mine I make a day of it. I wear my prettiest dress, take the day off work, and after my appointment I go to the mall and treat myself to a special day out all by myself.

 

[hatara]

Thank you I have been arguing with one for the past couple of days to call and the other for a while tonight.

And I quote reason:

"feel too embarassed and uncomfortable"

How uncomfortable is it to die of cervical cancer?

 

[baby blue]

I am a good little girl...I go once a year.....but I have a history of bad things in my family...so I HAVE to...or my mom will kill me!

 

[hatara]

I don't have a history and I still go once a year.

 

[Vilac]

Usually when I go in for mine I make a day of it. I wear my prettiest dress, take the day off work, and after my appointment I go to the mall and treat myself to a special day out all by myself.

Funny, Tantanah....
That's what my grandmother does for any procedure. In fact....she has had breast cancer. (One breast removed) And..even now when she goes in for exams...she will take the day....get her hair and nails done, and then afterwards she schedules a hour long massage.

Not a bad incentive. I don't even have breasts...and I think I could go for that. lol
V~~~~~

 

[baby blue]

I like that idea...maybe I will have a new tradition!!!!!!

 

[morninggirl5]

I'm having my pap smear and mammogram in a couple of weeks. It's the absolute most uncomfortable thing i do each year, but i know i have to do it, so i make the appointment and go.

Women who don't tend to have the "bury your head in the sand and it'll go away" thing going on. At least those that i've met.

 

[katelync]

Every year

I thank God that I went every year. Yes it is uncomfortable but a total nessesity. How could you not? My life or embarrassment...hmmmm think I will take my life. My girls aren't old enough yet, but as soon as they are they will be there.

 

[Tantanah]

Funny, Tantanah....
That's what my grandmother does for any procedure. In fact....she has had breast cancer. (One breast removed) And..even now when she goes in for exams...she will take the day....get her hair and nails done, and then afterwards she schedules a hour long massage.

Not a bad incentive. I don't even have breasts...and I think I could go for that. lol
V~~~~~

I like that. It definitely works for me!

 

[hatara]

I'm having my pap smear and mammogram in a couple of weeks. It's the absolute most uncomfortable thing i do each year, but i know i have to do it, so i make the appointment and go.

Women who don't tend to have the "bury your head in the sand and it'll go away" thing going on. At least those that i've met.

They don't get to bury their head in the sands with me. They are my friends and this is their health so I can be a real pain. This will be brought up every single day till I hear they have woken up.

 

[Basia]

I go at least once a year, but I need someone to go with me. I was molested when I was younger, and the meer thought of going to get that done brings flash backs. My mother always goes with me, then afterwards, we go out with the guy as a driver, and just have a day out of it.

My guy is totally understanding about it too, knowing that afterwards, for about a week I don't feel like being touched by him.

It's a hard experence, but I would rather spend a week like that, then live my life blissfully unaware that there is something growing down there that could potentially kill me.

Speeking of which, I need to make an apoitment soon for a pap... Thanks for reminding me.

 

[Aphrodisiac]

Usually when I go in for mine I make a day of it. I wear my prettiest dress, take the day off work, and after my appointment I go to the mall and treat myself to a special day out all by myself.

For some reason I tend to do the opposite, I know I have to go so I will schedule it into my day. But I will go all comfy , in shorts , a tshirt and sandals. These clothes are way easier to take off when I have to disrobe .

I don't like going either but I know I have to go for my health and of course I need my birth control pills...

 

[SkyBluAngelEyes]

Being a nurse, I am definitely one of my own worst enemies. I hate going. I once went about 8 years between exams. Most just out of sheer laziness. I don't find it humiliating or degrading to do this. It takes 10 minutes out of my time. Ten minutes out of a year. Big deal huh?

If I didn't work with my OB/GYN, I probably wouldn't be all that regular in my exams. He remembers when each of our appointments are due, and he hounds the hell out of us until we make our appointments. He is looking after our welfare, and I appreciate that. I'd probably now go over a few months, but nowhere near the 8 years I lapsed before.

 

[Naughty n Nice]

Shoot, I had 2 pap smears within the last year. I had my regular yearly pap and then I had another one at a clinic when my former boyfriend and I went to get tested for everything under the sun. It's one of the most important things a woman can do. And she's not doing it for herself. She's doing it for her loved ones!! Hat, don't make yourself crazy over this. You've put in your 2 cents, let it sink in for a while. Maybe they'll think about it and realize that you're right. I fear that if you pester them it'll backfire and they'll rebel...so to speak.

 

[ksmybuttons]

Pap smears and mammograms. I do them on or around my birthday. That way I don't forget. I have had an abnormal of each, didn't amount to anything but I wouldn't miss either because of those experiences. I just schedule them and go do it. I also only have women doctors. It makes me feel more comfortable - I know they have to go through it, too.

 

[SkyBluAngelEyes]

I also only have women doctors. It makes me feel more comfortable - I know they have to go through it, too.

My sisters go to a woman physician also. They love their doctor.

I don't know if I'd go to one if there were one available. I've grown so accustomed to having my physician be a male.

 

[TN_Vixen]

My aunt is 61 and she hasn't had a pap smear in over 20 years and has yet to have a mammogram. I don't understand why she has such an aversion to going to the Gyn either.

I dreaded having to have a mammogram and put off having one until just last month. Not really such a bad thing seeing as how it's not really recommended until you reach the age of 35 and I'm still a little over a month away from being 36. Turns out that the mammogram wasn't nearly as horrid as I expected! I'd rather have 10 of them than a root canal, that's for sure.

 

[TN_Vixen]

My sisters go to a woman physician also. They love their doctor.

I don't know if I'd go to one if there were one available. I've grown so accustomed to having my physician be a male.

I prefer my OB/Gyn to be male, but the odd thing is, when I scheduled my mammogram, I really wanted a woman to perform the procedure.

 

[SkyBluAngelEyes]

I prefer my OB/Gyn to be male, but the odd thing is, when I scheduled my mammogram, I really wanted a woman to perform the procedure.

Not odd, unless we both are. I think I would want a woman to perform a mammogram on me also. This is one area that I haven't dived into yet. I am WAY past the age of getting the primary mammogram done. I KNOW I need to get it done. There is nothing appetizing about having my breast squished between two cold plexi-glass plates.

 

[Nomadic Lady]

Hatara, you already mentioned this but it can not be stressed enough, how could any woman set such a horrible, horrible, horrible example for their daughters. Do these women not think of that aspect of it!

It is a shame that many cases of cervical and breast cancer deaths could have been prevented with early detection. Do any of you women that keep delaying this , or never bothering to get checked, not think it could happen to you. Do you realize that you could be sitting there right now with a malignant growth in you and you will not give yourself enough respect to get a simple pap smear done that could prolong your life through detection. Do you see your life as that worthless. Do you see you childrens lives as being that worthless. What about your S/O. There are no excuses for not getting checked least of all because you hate the exam itself, don't most women. Take it from someone that belongs to the colposcopy clinic, take the time FOR YOUR LIFE. And I HATE getting pap tests and biopsies done, but hey, I want to be around to see my son grow up. Don't you want to see your kids grow up or even your grandkids.

Only my worthless two cents worth. Sorry if I was a little harsh, okay alot harsh, but sometimes you need to be harsh in order to open someone's eye's.

 

[TN_Vixen]

Not odd, unless we both are. I think I would want a woman to perform a mammogram on me also. This is one area that I haven't dived into yet. I am WAY past the age of getting the primary mammogram done. I KNOW I need to get it done. There is nothing appetizing about having my breast squished between two cold plexi-glass plates.

Honestly, it really isn't as bad as what you hear. Of course, it's unpleasant just like a pap isn't a day at the fair, but it wasn't painful - just uncomfortable, and the ease of mind after getting clean results is worth 10 mins. of discomfort. Go! If you have health insurance, you have NO excuse whatsoever. 99.9% of all insurance companies pay 100% for this procedure.

Oh, and for all you men out there 40+ who haven't had a prostate check, same goes for you. If you're covered, the procedure is free. Think of it this way, early detection leads to many more years of joyous fucking!! Late detection could mean you may never get it up again.

 

[Laurel]

Great thread. Those uncomfortable visits can save your life. Don't put it off, women.

 

[hatara]

Oh I know with the one if I nag it will not help. But if I just keep asking the other one "Make the appointment yet?", she eventually will. She asks me if I remembered to eat, I am going to ask her if she remembered to get it done. I want her to be around a good long time for her family and I haven't gotten to meet her yet!!