PAPSMEAR Reminder Thread

[sloane]

great thread

one of my friends had a work colleague who was way overdue, she went & found out she had (treatable) ovarian cancer. which then started all the girls in their workplace going. my friend found out she had a massive cyst that she had to have operated on. which in turn sent me (and have gone on time since). all happy endings, but it seems crazy that it takes so much to kick our bums into gear sometimes.

ETA - i didn't realise that mrsmac. i'm gonna have to do some proper research now.

[mrsmac]

Pap smears do not usually detect ovarian cancer so please be aware that its important to watch for signs of ovarian cancer. Your pap smear will not pick it up. I am very passionate on this subject as my mum died of ovarian cancer and I have done a lot of research into the subject. Mum had regular pap smears and still didn't find the ovarian cancer until it was very well established.


ETA just found this: Although the Pap doesn't detect ovarian cancer, it may detect cancer cells that have migrated to the uterine cervix from the ovaries or abnormal cells in the uterine cervix.

[CinderToriella]

Do you know the signs /what to look out for mrsmac?

And i am sorry about your mum x

[mrsmac]

Sadly they are very generic female symptoms- bloating, heavy feeling, spotting or break through bleeding, UTI like feelings, fatigue, indigestion, feeling full, unexplained weight loss or gain.
My friend died at 39 from ovarian cancer so its not necessarily an older women's problem.

[smiles4u]

Pap smears do not usually detect ovarian cancer so please be aware that its important to watch for signs of ovarian cancer. Your pap smear will not pick it up. I am very passionate on this subject as my mum died of ovarian cancer and I have done a lot of research into the subject. Mum had regular pap smears and still didn't find the ovarian cancer until it was very well established.


ETA just found this: Although the Pap doesn't detect ovarian cancer, it may detect cancer cells that have migrated to the uterine cervix from the ovaries or abnormal cells in the uterine cervix.

good point to bring up MrsMac so many here don't feel this is the answer to all finding on it's own in the tests, as my SIL at 27 had her routine mamogram (due to family BC history) and was given the all the clear only herself to find a lump a couple of months later and had advanced breast cancer and she passed away at 28 (last year).

(so sorry MrsMac to hear about her Mum )

... I look at any tests i have done whether it be papsmear, skinspot check or mamograms (& U/S) as an added bonus as to what i already do to keep a watchful eye on things regarding my health !