There are not many things that bother me. I tend to keep out of politics, avoid confrontation at all costs and I never really get involved in campaigns or protests. However, there is one thing that is extremely important to me. If you live in England, you may have heard the recent news reports about smear tests for cervical cancer. I recently filled in a questionnaire which was aiming to find out how clued up young people are on these tests and how likely they are to take them in the future. It is clear that the need for these tests is very much in the forefront of peoples minds at the moment. The thing I have a problem with, however, is the fact that us girlies have to wait until we're 25 until we can take the test.
25 is far too old, in my opinion. In recent years there have been too many deaths of those under the age of 25, deaths that could have been prevented if those girls had been allowed to have the smear test at a younger age. In my group of 5 close female friends (from my hometown) two of them had already contracted HPV which was in the process of developing into cervical cancer. Both were told that they were in the beginning stages of cervical cancer and were promptly treated. Those two friends were lucky enough to have significant enough symptoms to warrant a test.
HPV stands for Human Papilloma Virus and is the most common sexually transmitted infection worldwide. It is more common than Chlamydia. In a large number of cases, it does get cleared by the body, naturally, within a couple of years, but it can also lead to cervical cancer. In 2008 a vaccination was introduced that prevents this virus. However, the vaccine can only be administered to girls between the ages of 9 and 25 who have not been exposed to HPV before - ie girls who have not yet had sexual intercourse. That leaves a gigantic gap for us girls who have not been able to get the vaccine, but still have years before we can get the smear test. That means if we have the virus, it has plenty of time to develop without our knowledge.
I understand that there are health risks when having the smear test underage. The results are not always reliable and of course it's expensive too. However, I firmly believe that those of us who are experiencing unusual symptoms, have been diagnosed with another sexually transmitted infection or who have not practiced safe sex and believe that we have been exposed to the infection have the right to be tested. After all, is it not better to be safe than sorry?
What are your views, my dears? Do you think the age should be lowered, or at least that allowances should be made for those of us who might be experiencing some of the symptoms of this terrible disease?
Also, please feel free to join in with my new Monday blog theme 'It Matters Monday'. It would be lovely to read about the things most important to you guys (and it's nice to get a little inspiration when we're stuck for post ideas, isn't it :) I'll put the button up in my sidebar shortly, in the meantime feel free to copy it from here.
inspire nordic
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I agree completely that it should be lowered.
ReplyDeleteTbh, I really think Jade Goody's death is what has resulted in this campaign to get the age limit lowered which is quite a shame to think that someone had to die before people took any notice!
I got the vaccine a few years ago so probably won't be getting the test for a while
I know, but it usually ends up that way, which is the saddest thing! I missed out on getting the vaccine, it was introduced a year after I left school!
DeleteI've been having pap smears since my late adolescent years, esp. after I became sexually active. That's the way it is in the USA, as far as I know. At least it used to be when I was growing up. Insurance companies may have increased the age so as to not have to cover the cost.
ReplyDeleteAs for the vaccine, Gardisil, I wouldn't recommend it. It's caused way, way too many other health problems in many girls who opted to get one. i saw a documentary the other night about vaccines, and one girl who got Gardisil is a very, very sick young lady now. She's had multiple seizures and strokes and is always sick now.
Apparently it used to be recommended here that we take the test between the ages of 20 - 30, but then was increased to 25 - 30.
DeleteI had no idea that the vaccine was dangerous! Actually, I'm not sure what I think with regards to the vaccine, it's mainly the fact that it's so hard to get tested that is the problem, I think. That poor girl, though :(
Holy Mackerel, 25?!! In the US I think it's age 20...but I think any female who's sexually active needs to have it every two years. I did a smear after waiting three years, at age 28, and it was almost too late because my cervical dysplasia was rated as severe, one step before cancer.
ReplyDeleteBut I agree with JoJo about the vaccine. It's too dangerous--better to stay healthy and vigilant...
I agree with you Colleen. I too had a positive test, it was one step before cancer. Luckily I had a hysterectomy and am fine. I don't know what would have happened if I would have had to wait until the age of 25! It scares me that the health of women is being so ignored across this world. And as for the Vaccine, there are better ways.
DeleteWow, you poor things! It's stories like this that make me feel that the age really needs to be lowered - it's so important. It's really ironic because we get all this information and surveys etc on how we really must take the test when our time comes and how dangerous it is to miss it, but they seem to skip over the part where girls are dying too young because they couldn't take the test soon enough. It's really scary.
DeleteWow, 25? That seems so strange. I've been having paps since I was a teenager. As someone said, that's how it's done in the US, but I was living in Belgium and I still had it done at 17. It's almost hard for me to believe they don't do it until 25 elsewhere.
ReplyDeleteAs far as the vaccine, I was too old when it came out. My sister got it though, and has had no problems. The vaccine scares me a little, just because it's so new, but it' hard to stay vigilant against HPV since there are no external indications whether you or a partner has it.
Yes, I've heard in other parts of Europe it's possible to have them done really young! I'm glad to hear that your sister hasn't had any problems, neither has mine, but it was scary to hear that the vaccine can be dangerous! I guess we should be wary of these new things that they bring out.
DeleteThat's the problem exactly - surely there should be more testing for viruses that show no indications of you having it. It worries me to think that there's so many young girls out there with no idea of how sick they could be!
That is so strange. Back here, everyone can take the exam, if they wish or someone thinks it is necessary. And the vaccine is given to every girl, too. This does not make any sense, I mean, every girl deserves to make the exam, no matter the age.
ReplyDeleteCan't you make a petition or something like that?
ps. - I adore the idea of the flowers. That one I some-what-knew, but I was always afraid it would turn out wrong. Next weekend... it will happen! Both :D
Have a nice day!
I'm wondering if there is a petition, but then again, if there's risks in doing the test early, then I guess we have to just trust their judgement with that.
DeleteI'm glad you like the idea! Promise me you'll take photos if you decide to do it!
I entirely agree. 25 is way too old. WAY too old. Especially if you're sexually active. Simply put that's just a way for the insurance companies to 'save money'. Which, in the long run doesn't work. If the woman contracts HPV due to lack of proper screening, the medical care needed is FAR more expensive then the simple pap smear twice a year. Sigh. Such ignorance is unacceptable. Makes me twitch.
ReplyDeleteIn the USA, it would be part of a regular exam. I do believe age eighteen is a good starting point.
ReplyDeleteAn even better way of not getting HPV, is not having sex before marriage!
Good point I guess, but then it's already too late for a lot of people. I think age 18 or 20 would be good too.
DeleteI definitely think the age should be lowered, like you said there have been so many stories over the last few years of women under 25 who have gotten cancer, when it could have been prevented by a smear test.
ReplyDeleteGreat post, a good topic for It Matters Monday! :)
Thank you :)
DeleteI know, it's really scary. I hope they do decide to change the age. Even by just a couple of years could make a huge difference!
I definitely think it should be lowered even though people are now getting jags against the HPV virus. People still die from his and the quicker it is diagnosed the better, so yes, I agree! x
ReplyDelete