Alright. Being a women is awesome and all but there are things that just suck about it too. Like having a period. It's no fun. Or getting Pap smears.
But! Pap smears are soooooo important!!!!!
I've heard recently that doctors are now saying if you have a clear pap when you're in your teens or twenties, it's okay to wait a few years in between getting them done. No longer do we all need to go annually.
Sounds awesome, right?! I mean, let's face it... Pap's are uncomfortable and embarrassing. No one wants someone they hardly know all up in their shit. I get it! Trust me! I hate them.
And I don't know who they think they are kidding by adding a stupid picture of a puppy or whatever on the ceiling. It is NOT calming. It's weird. And it doesn't make the situation any less awful.
However, they are sooooo important!!!! Get them EVERY SINGLE YEAR!!!! Do not wait 3 years because you had a good pap previously. Get them every year!! That is why they are called the annual well woman's exam. It takes a few minutes of being uncomfortable but could save your life!
I go every year. And I have gone every year since my very first one (back in my teens when I started having sex). Every one needs to go as soon as they become sexually active.
I have always had clear paps. ALWAYS!!! Every. Single. Year.
Until this year.
Do you know how scary it is to be told your pap came back with abnormal cells? I hope none of you do. But it's scary.
I had to go and have a colposcopy (a biopsy) and my biopsy sent off for further evaluation.
I went back to my doctor after my results came back and I have precancerous cells. They did cryosurgery to freeze the cells of my cervix off. I have to go back in a few weeks to make sure all the abnormal cells are gone. If not, I will need further treatment.
It's very scary. I am very scared. It's weird knowing I may or may not still have cells that are just waiting to turn into cancer in my body.
The one thing I immediately thought about when I was told I have precancerous cells is just how glad I am I go every year.
Precancerous cells are just that. Pre cancer. It's not cancer yet. But if left there, it WILL become cancer.
Even though I have had clear paps my whole life until now, I always went anyway. Could you imagine how bad this could have been if I skipped years because they WERE clear in the past?
I don't even want to think about it.
Stay on top of your health. Keep getting checked even when there doesn't seem to be a problem.
Pap smears are just that. They are for cancer SCREENING! Do not wait until you have symptoms. Do not wait because your last pap was clear. Do not play games with your health. I am only in my mid twenties. Cancer is not dependent on age.
GO EVERY YEAR!!!
I am so glad I do not have cancer. But I wouldn't have even known I was at risk if I didn't go regularly.
I hope you all take precaution with your health and get checked every year. If not, I hope my story will inspire you to start.
5 minutes of discomfort is worth knowing you're safe.
Do you all go every year? If not, will you start? Let me know in a comment below.
But! Pap smears are soooooo important!!!!!
I've heard recently that doctors are now saying if you have a clear pap when you're in your teens or twenties, it's okay to wait a few years in between getting them done. No longer do we all need to go annually.
Sounds awesome, right?! I mean, let's face it... Pap's are uncomfortable and embarrassing. No one wants someone they hardly know all up in their shit. I get it! Trust me! I hate them.
And I don't know who they think they are kidding by adding a stupid picture of a puppy or whatever on the ceiling. It is NOT calming. It's weird. And it doesn't make the situation any less awful.
However, they are sooooo important!!!! Get them EVERY SINGLE YEAR!!!! Do not wait 3 years because you had a good pap previously. Get them every year!! That is why they are called the annual well woman's exam. It takes a few minutes of being uncomfortable but could save your life!
I go every year. And I have gone every year since my very first one (back in my teens when I started having sex). Every one needs to go as soon as they become sexually active.
I have always had clear paps. ALWAYS!!! Every. Single. Year.
Until this year.
Do you know how scary it is to be told your pap came back with abnormal cells? I hope none of you do. But it's scary.
I had to go and have a colposcopy (a biopsy) and my biopsy sent off for further evaluation.
I went back to my doctor after my results came back and I have precancerous cells. They did cryosurgery to freeze the cells of my cervix off. I have to go back in a few weeks to make sure all the abnormal cells are gone. If not, I will need further treatment.
It's very scary. I am very scared. It's weird knowing I may or may not still have cells that are just waiting to turn into cancer in my body.
The one thing I immediately thought about when I was told I have precancerous cells is just how glad I am I go every year.
Precancerous cells are just that. Pre cancer. It's not cancer yet. But if left there, it WILL become cancer.
Even though I have had clear paps my whole life until now, I always went anyway. Could you imagine how bad this could have been if I skipped years because they WERE clear in the past?
I don't even want to think about it.
Stay on top of your health. Keep getting checked even when there doesn't seem to be a problem.
Pap smears are just that. They are for cancer SCREENING! Do not wait until you have symptoms. Do not wait because your last pap was clear. Do not play games with your health. I am only in my mid twenties. Cancer is not dependent on age.
GO EVERY YEAR!!!
I am so glad I do not have cancer. But I wouldn't have even known I was at risk if I didn't go regularly.
I hope you all take precaution with your health and get checked every year. If not, I hope my story will inspire you to start.
5 minutes of discomfort is worth knowing you're safe.
Do you all go every year? If not, will you start? Let me know in a comment below.
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