On local radio this morning they were talking about the importance of smear tests, due to rising numbers of women dying from cervical cancer.
However as part of the discussion they featured a cancer survivor who said the smears were important (fine) and that women should just "close their eyes until it's over".
I understand that the speaker was talking about something very important to them and it's obviously a very important issue, but it struck me that the language used was not very sympathetic to the very valid feelings and emotions that can be involved with such an intimate exam.
Besides the obvious 'lie back and think of England' connoctation, it also reminded me of the way women have often been treated during pregnancy or birth, and the idea that we just have to put up with invasive treatments and get over it. Silly women that we are.
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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions
Minimising women's feelings re: smear tests
51 replies
Gisla · 25/01/2016 14:49
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