This is an article from England so some of the information does not apply to my United States readers. In England you have to be 25 in order to get a PAP. This young woman wanted to get a PAP at an earlier age. She didn't have any symptoms but wanted to do what I tell so many to, advocate for herself and try to get early prevention if necessary. She was refused and now at age 26 has been diagnosed with terminal cervical cancer. AND, she is only 26 years old.
I put up these videos and articles because I want to stress to all the women and mothers out there that cervical cancer can not only happen to old AND YOUNG but it can devastate your life and even kill you. Cervical Cancer is something we need to be talking about and fighting against.
READ THE ARTICLE "BRIDE WHO WAS REFUSED SMEAR TEST GIVEN TWO YEARS TO LIVE"
I shake my head at the "you're too young" stuff.
ReplyDeleteThis happened to me yesterday. Went in for the yearly exam (or as I call it...Show and Tell) and my dr. said, "Oh, you're 36, so you don't have to have a mammogram yet." I said, "I've been having mammograms since I was 33 after we found a lump, REMEMBER?" and she said, "OH. Well. If it was normal, you can skip a few years since you have no family history."
I politely said, "OK" and came back to my office and made my appointment anyway.
Such a shame. I don't feel there should be a set age for ANY type of test! The government shouldn't be involved in an individual persons health care.
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't matter how few people get it before a certain age...1 life lost needlessly is too many.
Oh how awful :(
ReplyDeleteI hate the too young comment as well. Maybe some things are MORE LIKELY at a later age, but that doesnt mean it cant happen at a younger age. No one should be refused a medical test they feel they need.
That is so sad! When I go to my Dr. I tell him I want everything no matter the cost, because you can't put a price on your life!
ReplyDeleteMy Dr. is very good and does everything -- He checks you from top to bottom and then send you in for lab work up, x-ray and a mammogram.
I dare someone to ever tell me my daughter is to young to get checked.
Hugs
Good grief. I can't believe there is an age limit for testing ANYWHERE. So irresponsible.
ReplyDeleteIt is so sad for this young woman that these things aren't given more attention.
I am so glad you wrote this post. The thing is cancer can happen to anyone no matter what age. I think that the care of patients rests in the hands of the doctor and patient. Not the goverment or big business. Just my thought.
ReplyDeleteI don't have a cancer that affects just women. But everyone even so doctors miss it and do nothing.
But your so right no one should have the right to say you can't have a test done. We know our bodies better then anyone else does. Had I not been adamant about pushing for the right care I would be dead.
So I hope some learn from your blog the importance of pushing for the right care.
The other thing is..I have a cancer of lymphoma that hits mainly men over 60.My doctor has seen no cases in woman let alone under the age of 60. So that said who knew I would start out with something at age 40. I think they can't put an age limit on screening tests for cancer. Thats just off the charts insane. The purpose of screening is to catch it early. If it is done just think of the lives saved.
I would tell anyone push for the help you need and if one doc doesn't help find one who will. That saved my life
It pains me to read stories like this. I am appalled at the fact that any doctor would have the audacity to tell a patient that they are "too young" for any type of test. The St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital exists because cancer can strike at ANY age. The fact that someone was attempting to be an advocate for her own health and denied speaks volumes about the state of healthcare. We all pay enough to the medical industry - we should never be denied services!
ReplyDeleteoh, this breaks my heart. i cannot believe you have to be 25 to get a pap in britain!
ReplyDeleteI am blessed at this time to be healthy. I want to do more to raise awareness on this horrible thief of life!
ReplyDeleteHey just wanted to let you know that the feature for Prof Aleong is up on my site. Thanks for letting me share it!
ReplyDelete((HUGS))
Angie
"Nanas Box"
Thank you for bringing this important issue to my attention. Since I started reading your blog I decided it was time for me to get a mammogram. I'd been putting it off but cancer, any kind, is nothing to mess with. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThank goodness that we do not currently have socialist medicine in the U.S. My cousin was diagnosed with cervical cancer at age 17. Luckily they caught it in time to treat. I hope our government stays out of our medical care.
ReplyDeleteThanks for alerting us to this practice...happens all too often. All the more reason to vote with our brains.
ReplyDeleteIT's been a while since I dropped by your blog. This story is very sad, and what makes it the most sad is that it could have been prevented with one simple test.
ReplyDeleteWhat is going on with health care these days?? I have had PAPS since I was 15. My mom took DES as she had had 3 miscarriages before me, so I had t be checked very regularly, starting at a young age.
ReplyDeleteThe lack of preventative health care is astounding.