(Untitled)

[solodanceparty]

On the radio, I heard, since Jade Goody found out about having cancer, she's been trying to get pap smears for women under 25. But someone in the NHS said there is no need, because cancer that young is so rare. When I was living at home in the US, I started getting them when I turned 18. When I moved over 3 years ago, it was the first thing I asked

Comments

[razorblade_eyes]

you should start getting them yearly the moment you become sexually active. At least, that's what I've always been told.
I live in the US.

[gethenian]

This is also what I've been told, but I get told something different every time I go in for a physical, it seems like. First it was 18, then when I turned 18 they told me they changed it to 21, then when I was 21 they told me they changed it to 25. I turned 25 yesterday and still haven't had sex so I have no idea what they'll tell me this time. XD

[mallyns]

From what I have been told and I could be wrong is that cervical cancer is only from HPV. If that is true then if you haven't had sex (of any type) then you don't need to worry about it. If you are worried about it, then ask your doctor for the pap. If they say no ask them to explain why not.

[thekumquat]

Cervical cancer is not only from HPV (about 70% of cases are HPV-related), so lesbians and others not at risk of HPV should still have smears, although they are at lower risk.

[mallyns]

Thanks for clearing that up.

[demurelibertine]

Smoking increases risk for cervical cancer, for example.

[rosathome]

I think this is basically true (and is the reason why I have never had a test, though I have to explain this to my doctor every single time). Though I do have a friend who has also never been sexually active who gets the smear and did once turn up some abnormal cells (turned out to be non-cancerous and no problem). I think once you get to a certain age (not sure what) they recommend you get the test anyway.