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AIBU?

Smear Test Poster - Little Boy on stair - Mum didn't have test - now I have no Mum.

152 replies

Granitetopping · 20/02/2013 23:34

AIBU to think that this poster is in poor taste and uses unnecessary emotional blackmail?

OP posts:
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Picturesinthefirelight · 20/02/2013 23:36

That's the point isn't it. I've not had a smear for 10 years. But this ad has made me think.

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IneedAsockamnesty · 20/02/2013 23:36

That's the whole point of it

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ceeveebee · 20/02/2013 23:36

Yes you are BU. it's incredibly important to have smear tests and if it takes a shock tactic like that to wake people up to that fact, so be it
Do you know anyone who has been diagnosed with cancer?

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shesariver · 20/02/2013 23:37

Well then its done it job. What do you find in poor taste?

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SirBoobAlot · 20/02/2013 23:37

Yes, YABU. The point is to shock you. And if it shocks you enough to piss you off, but then makes you think ''When did I last have a smear..?'', then it's worked.

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PomBearWithAnOFRS · 20/02/2013 23:40

I expect it's made like that on purpose.
The idea is to guilt people into doing what "the nanny state" want us to - doctors get paid bonuses for how many patients they get to do certain things, and smear teat take up is one of them.
Yes, it can save lives (although data varies as to numbers and ages and suchlike) but the Practice also get paid for each woman they get to have one. They are incentivised to "make" or persuade women any way they can, and emotional blackmail is one of those ways.

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PomBearWithAnOFRS · 20/02/2013 23:40

test not teat Confused

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Granitetopping · 20/02/2013 23:40

No I don't know anyone who has had cervical cancer. I think it is in poor taste for anyone with children who is receiving treatment for cervical cancer. I don't think the guilt trip is necessary.

OP posts:
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ceeveebee · 20/02/2013 23:44

I know someone who has cervical cancer and she would disagree with you as it's always banging on about keeping up to date with smear tests

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ceeveebee · 20/02/2013 23:44

Oops not its - she's

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SirBoobAlot · 20/02/2013 23:45

Hardly think it's a ''nanny state'' issue, Pom. And if a doctor gets paid a bit more but more women are diagnosed with cancer earlier on, then that's fine by me.

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Northey · 20/02/2013 23:45

I wouldn't want to speak for people with children undergoing treatment for cervical cancer, but it' not impossible that they would support a campaign to encourage women to be screened and perhaps be saved from being in the same position that they are.

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Picturesinthefirelight · 20/02/2013 23:48

A friend of dh's died of cervical cancer in her early 20s leaving very young children. Her mum now consigns for younger women to be allowed smears. They would support anything that got women to their tests.

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Broodymomma · 20/02/2013 23:50

Have to say I did not like it either I think it says "mum missed her smear test, now I miss my mum" but I suppose it done its job and provoked a reaction.

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SchroSawMargeryDaw · 20/02/2013 23:52

No, I think it is a good idea.

It may piss some people off or seem poor taste but if it saves even 1 life through that then it is worth it.

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Booyhoo · 20/02/2013 23:54

well that is the reality for many children whose mothers have died due to cervical cancer that wasn't caught early enough. i'm not sure what the problem is really. it is entirely possible that if you dont have regular smears you could miss the window of opportunity to save your life and leave dcs behind.

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WorraLiberty · 20/02/2013 23:55

Yes it's a guilt trip and it's a good one.

My Aunt died of cervical cancer...hated medical check ups and didn't find out until it was too late.

My best friend discovered hers in the early stages through smear testing and I thank God every day that she did...as do her DH, DD and her grandson.

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Scuttlebutter · 21/02/2013 00:03

I write as someone who is a cervical cancer survivor, but will never have children because of it.

Cervical cancer does kill young mothers every year. I did not find the advert in poor taste - yes, I do affectionately nag my friends about smears, and I shared the poster on FB. At the time I was going through my treatment I got to know several other women through the Jo's Trust website - sadly, not all of them survived and some left behind very young children.

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Mabelface · 21/02/2013 00:31

I absolutely agree with the advert. Smear tests DO save lives. I'd be dead by now in all probability if I'd not had regular smears, as I had so rogue cells zapped off. My sister in law, same age as me ended up with a radical hysterectomy due to cervical cancer that was detected by a smear test. That was the smear test that she'd put off for a while. Nothing at all to do with the nanny state and I consider that a daft opinion.

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MrsTerryPratchett · 21/02/2013 00:40

I love that the NHS is given incentives to to have us give up smoking, have smears and all that. Would you rather live in the US where healthcare makes most money when people are, and stay, sick? No thanks. Pills for bloody everything and everyone is still sick.

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squeakytoy · 21/02/2013 00:43

My birth mother has just had the all clear, after a year of treatment including chemo. She didnt bother to have smear tests for many years. She is very lucky to be alive.

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hoobnoob · 21/02/2013 00:55

I knew a lady who died of cervical cancer, she was in her late 20's with two small kids.

Anything that will shock people into getting a smear test done is fine with me.

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EverythingInMjiniature · 21/02/2013 01:01

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

JakeBullet · 21/02/2013 01:04

Yeah Pombear because doctors and nurses really LOVE watching a woman doe from a preventable cancer Hmm.

So if they are given incentives to encourage folk in for the test and it prevents just ONE woman dying needlessly then it's worthwhile in my opinion and NOTHING to do with a "Nanny State".

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Morloth · 21/02/2013 01:06

Women are often givers and put themselves last, especially Mums.

When I think about dying, I am not afraid for myself, I am afraid that my children would be left without me and that would break their hearts and effect them for the rest of their lives.

I seriously doubt I am alone in this. So while I might put off a smear test because it is unpleasant and to be honest I don't fear death from a personal point of view. I will go through it, because it increases the chances that they will have their mum for longer.

Anything that gets women to take a bit of care for themselves is a positive in my book, even if they are doing it for other people.

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