Age Discrimination for smear testing

boomkatalog

I'm gonna be honest, I don't pay attention to irregularities and had no idea that bleeding after sex was such a big deal. You've all scared the bejesus out of me a little bit and I'm gonna monitor the area a little more! Especially as I'm another 4 years off getting the smear test

ENMcD

Im the OP (annoyed@hse) of this thread and only now im catching up with it all. When I started this thread I didnt think it would be such a touchy subject! Basically what I meant was, I went to my doctor told him my symptoms he asked if I ever had a smear I said no I didnt he said I can do one for you but its private so you have to pay I said ok sure if you think I need it why not, so i paid my €40 euro fee and few weeks later got my results had to go 4 a coloscopy. I went in felt the doc and receptionist were off with me cos of my age as if to say why are u here ur too young, got swabs and biopsy done (even tho the doc was like i see nothing wrong) of i went home. Two weeks later i got results for my swabs and had some bacterial infection so i got antibiotics. 2 weeks after that my biopsy results came back.. CIN3 so now as i wait another 4 weeks for my LLetz treatment im sitting here freaking out and wondering if I had a smear sooner it prob would of been seen without all this hassle. I just hate the prejudice of it all just because im only 22 why would I need a smear even tho I would be very willing to pay.

Xiney

I just registered with a family doctor here on Friday (in Canada)

She was horrified when I told her I hadn't had a smear since I was 21, and even more so when I told her the reason was because they are not available in Ireland (for all intents and purposes) until one is 25, and only once every 3 years.



To be honest, the only real reason I'm not more nervous about this is that I know there's basically zero chance that I have contracted HPV or cervical cancer - but that's down to my sexual history. If I had a more "normal" sexual history of a few different partners who'd had partners before me, I'd be freaking out. And I probably would have made a fuss to be seen in Ireland, 25 or not.

My own personal theory? I think the current system is geared towards punishing women whom the state/church (how different are they really?) sees as "promiscuous" since they are more likely to develop cervical cancers early in life.

Gyalist

As I see it is is not discrimination but rather health-care rationing based on age. In a country with finite resources there has to be a way of maximising these resources. If we want the healthcare standards of France or Sweden, we must also expect to pay their level of taxes.

Rachiee

the issue is its extrememly stressful to be continually getting abnormal results and having to check and double check again the test is simply unreliable under the age of twenty five and so getting tested would just cause un due stress,
if there is a problem why would you want to do a test thats unreliable anyway. Doctors have training and reasons behind the decision they make

that said patients should be treated with respect and given information.

Xiney

Gyalist wrote: »

As I see it is is not discrimination but rather health-care rationing based on age. In a country with finite resources there has to be a way of maximising these resources. If we want the healthcare standards of France or Sweden, we must also expect to pay their level of taxes.

So then how about just the health care levels of Canada then? 'Cause our taxes are lower than yours.

LegacyUser

This issue was discussed on Ireland am this morning. This idea was brought up as being one of the myths around cervical cancer and was proved not true. The doctor stated that the simple truth is that anyone who has had sex once is at as much risk as people who have sex often with different people.

Xiney wrote: »

I just registered with a family doctor here on Friday (in Canada)

She was horrified when I told her I hadn't had a smear since I was 21, and even more so when I told her the reason was because they are not available in Ireland (for all intents and purposes) until one is 25, and only once every 3 years.



To be honest, the only real reason I'm not more nervous about this is that I know there's basically zero chance that I have contracted HPV or cervical cancer - but that's down to my sexual history. If I had a more "normal" sexual history of a few different partners who'd had partners before me, I'd be freaking out. And I probably would have made a fuss to be seen in Ireland, 25 or not.

My own personal theory? I think the current system is geared towards punishing women whom the state/church (how different are they really?) sees as "promiscuous" since they are more likely to develop cervical cancers early in life.

LeeHoffmann

Do you think i should just pay for the smear or leave it or try and fight having to pay it? Its only 40euro but i feel sickened that im being forced to pay it.

the way you've been treated is shameful. It isn't fair and I understand that you feel sickened by it...but pay the €40 and get well! Your health and wellbeing is worth more than proving a point or protesting. Maybe you can lodge a complaint (after treatment) or try to get a refund then, though it may not be taken seriously. Really hope you feel better soon. All the best xx

shelly1988

LeeHoffmann wrote: »

the way you've been treated is shameful. It isn't fair and I understand that you feel sickened by it...but pay the €40 and get well! Your health and wellbeing is worth more than proving a point or protesting. Maybe you can lodge a complaint (after treatment) or try to get a refund then, though it may not be taken seriously. Really hope you feel better soon. All the best xx

Thanks so much for your reply i phoned the hospital this morning and explained the letter to four women before being put through to the doctors secretary ( suppose this is the way it is in most places, being passed around) she was very surprised and said that getting the letter was unusual and is going to talk to the doctor and ring me back after lunch!! yay im not so angry now!!! just read over the thread after posting my comment god there is so mamny women going through the same problems its crazy. xx

Xiney

Emmersbaby wrote: »

This issue was discussed on Ireland am this morning. This idea was brought up as being one of the myths around cervical cancer and was proved not true. The doctor stated that the simple truth is that anyone who has had sex once is at as much risk as people who have sex often with different people.

The virus is an STD - if we've both only had one partner, there is 0 chance of transmission.

amdublin

Xiney wrote: »

The virus is an STD - if we've both only had one partner, there is 0 chance of transmission.

But the HPV virus is not the only risk factor.

Just by being sexually active (with one partner only, ever) is also a risk factor.

Xiney

amdublin wrote: »

But the HPV virus is not the only risk factor.

Just by being sexually active (with one partner only, ever) is also a risk factor.

risk factor, yes. major risk factor, no.

amdublin

Xiney wrote: »

risk factor, yes. major risk factor, no.

Risk factor yes

Xiney wrote: »

The virus is an STD - if we've both only had one partner, there is 0 chance of transmission.

Zero chance of transmission no

The Sweeper

amdublin wrote: »

Xiney wrote: »

The virus is an STD - if we've both only had one partner, there is 0 chance of transmission.

But the HPV virus is not the only risk factor.

Just by being sexually active (with one partner only, ever) is also a risk factor.

amdublin, sexual activity is listed as a risk because of the chance you'll contract a high-risk strain of HPV.

HPV causes over 95% of cervical cancers - some cancer research agencies claim 100%. The argument over the 5% is based on instances where, for instance, cervical cancer is a secondary after a primary cancer has metastasised. (secondary cancers are not counted statistically the way primaries are.)

katiebelle

I think there is major discrimination against younger people in general in the medical profession. My daughter had a miscarriage and in the follow ups it was felt she needed a smear. She has spent the last 4 years getting cells burnt off on a regular basis and she only turned 25 this year. It was only caught because of her miscarriage.

My 18 year old son had crippling pain in his testicles and was basically beating a path to our GP . Eventually the GP got very annoyed and told my son the pain was all in his head. He went to a different GP near his college who RAN him to the hospital. He had testicular cancer.

Both my 23 year old niece and I had the same problems with our breast at roughly the same time. We both were referred to the breast clinic. My appointment was 10 days after seeing the doctor , ( I am 45 ) . She had to wait over 3 months for hers. Same symptoms and same basic family history.

My friends daughter had bad headaches but at 19 her doctor did not take her seriously at all. It took 6 months of pleading before she got a referal. She did have a tumour , she has responded well to treatment but should have had treatment start 6 months earlier.

Just because some cancers are more likely in older age groups does not mean they don't happen in younger people. If a young person goes to a GP complaining of symptoms then it should be taken seriously and not automatically be dismissed because of age. Female or male.
I would still worry though as my daughter had no symptoms at all.
Our GP does do smears under 25 if you pay and we have done that with my younger daughter who is 20. 40 euro is not a lot to pay really if it means you stay healthy.

ENMcD

So I went back to the hospital yesterday thinking i was going to get LLETZ treatment only to be told im too young (22) so i have to wait.. so basically wait for my precancerous cells to turn cancerous before im looked at! i am fuming and dont know what to do now!

amdublin

The Sweeper wrote: »

amdublin, sexual activity is listed as a risk because of the chance you'll contract a high-risk strain of HPV.

HPV causes over 95% of cervical cancers - some cancer research agencies claim 100%. The argument over the 5% is based on instances where, for instance, cervical cancer is a secondary after a primary cancer has metastasised. (secondary cancers are not counted statistically the way primaries are.)

Thanks sweeper

I'm confused! Going to have a good old discussion with my dr next time I'm there.

LeeHoffmann

gosh. Katiebelle sorry to hear there's been so much illness in your family! and EnMcD, I can understand your frustration - shocking. Your stories make me feel ashamed that at age 27 I still haven't found the time or courage to go get a smear test. My doc is nagging me about it at this stage! You guys have legitimate concerns so I hope you push on and get the treatment you need. Thanks God the vaccine is available for the next generation - hopefully most of them can avoid these kind of worries