I’ve never had a smear test and I don’t want one either

20 years ago they still used a metal speculum, and (as far as I know) and from this year, some GPs are offering home tests I hear, so those are 2 good changes.
The only thing with that is that maybe the nurse could pick up on any other issues if you go in for one, but I'm not sure if they do that here. Some countries do a yearly gynae check so when you're having a smear, they might advise you about other issues.
Doubt anyone will criticise you too much OP, not seen anyone doing much about people who refuse vaccines, which could have a direct effect on someone else's health, so why would they come for you for this?

Absolutely! I will go for mammograms as an example because that is an actual cancer screening whereas a smear test isn’t, and harassing women via letters, texts and phone calls is absurd. I have been very clear with my GP that I will not be having another smear test and the letters, texts and messages on my NHS app keep coming. Because I’m a silly little girl who doesn’t understand of course.

Yes, I had two births without internal examinations. In fact, if membranes are ruptured then it can be preferable to avoid them as they're an infection risk.
In my case there was no benefit to having them and I didn't want them.

I think people have responded to you in a negative way because you started a thread with an inflammatory post on a subject that is sensitive for many, many women.

I don't know what you hoped to achieve by saying that you don't want a smear test because most people either don't care or are cross with you because either they or someone they know has had cervical cancer. It was thoughtless and tactless, and your inability to read the room is very obvious on this thread.

How can you say for certain that these men were Virgins? They might have rogered half the county for all you know 😉😆

Yeah! Go Schiller!

What are you on about? This is such an unhelpful comment. Of course you have a choice! Nobody has the right to perform unwanted internal exams without your consent. You also have the right to an elective c section, which is what I had, for a variety of reasons.

OP, you know you can opt out of reminders for smear tests? Just ask for a form to fill in.

No, I should have been clearer that I was referring to the PP’s focus on the unpleasant narrative that exists around smear tests, not the tests themselves.

It’s a very good point. They have the sample right there! Why not test it wholly?!
I will continue to have them when I am called but that’s my choice and I support your right to your choice.
I know my mum keeps getting letters to get my sister to go for a smear but she has Downs’ Syndrome and has never been with a man. For her, the stress of the procedure isn’t worth it. We all get to make our own choices but they need to be informed ones and letting people know about that change in policy forms part of that

Only about 90% of cervical cancers are connected to HPV.

The screening takes seconds, you're being unreasonable.

then there should be options surely I am fine with smear tests and this time she also found a fibroid that was followed up. I prefer a medical professional doing it and will continue to get them down - for me the minor discomfort is worth it and would not want to do it myself

i can see why others would find it more awkward though

...you think that cervical screening was introduced and is promoted "as a stick with which to beat women"?

As nobody here knows you, no-one cares if you have a smear test or not. I think the sometimes hostile reaction was because you were a little aggressive in your tone about how other women would react, and what the motivation for trying to encourage women to have smears is. I imagine the reality is that most of us understand that it's not pleasant, can be very painful (it is for me), and for some women, including you it seems, difficult for all sorts of other reasons. We also probably generally trust the general good faith of our doctors in why they want us to have them, and doubt it's profit oriented.

99.7 % of cervical cancers are caused by HPV
Don't be too unhappy about the test. It's the NHS making a reasonable cost based decision on risk v reward, freeing up the money from pathology labs, equipment and staff to be used elsewhere in the system.

If they continued spending millions every year to look at cell changes under microscopes in order to catch 0.3% of cervical cancers we'd all be rightfully up in arms at the waste when waiting times for everything are getting longer, we see PAs instead of GPs, and new cancer drugs are more expensive than ever

Also agree with this. As in, I wouldn’t say I find it painful- rather uncomfortable but I imagine it can be painful for some women and may feel extremely invasive.
Just because I don’t mind them doesn’t mean that everyone should feel how I do about it. I am terrified of the dentist and find lying on my back with someone’s hands in my mouth far more invasive than a smear but that’s just me.
Sorry for the ramble, I’m drinking wine on a school night.

I think it’s a disgusting change in policy to be honest. What other form of “cancer screening” makes patients undergo such an invasive test and then not even bother to take a proper look at the sample? Low risk is not no risk. I have had one smear test in my life and will not be having another one as it is not a cancer screening, and my personal risk of HPV is zero.

My aunt died of cervical cancer because she didn't attend her screening appts. She was 38. Her kids were 7 and 8 when she died. Yes of course it's your choice. But when assessing risk you should take into account both likelihood (which you have with your risk factors) AND severity (in this case death - very high!).

It’s a fact I’m aware of. It screens for HPV as HPV can cause the cell changes that lead to cancer.

If HPV is present, the cells are then tested for abnormal changes.

I do not believe that I can do as effective a test in my bathroom as a professional can do in a medical setting. I cannot see my own cervix and observe any changes.

I am a big fan in trusting the experts. I don’t question a garage when they tell me my car has failed its MOT, I’m not a mechanic. I don’t question why a doctor or nurse needs to check my cervix themselves rather than me doing it.

I would prefer to take the most accurate test available, administered by the most suitable person.

I cannot understand why any woman would gamble with their health, and the accuracy of checking it, because a procedure is uncomfortable.

I agree, also the fact that they make you wait 5 years I think it is? For another one if you’re HPV negative. Seeing as I had abnormal cells I’m planning on being extra vigilant going forward for any changes!

Yes it does. Do not dismiss the pain and discomfort many women feel during smear tests.

A repost. It sounds like anyone six months overdue will automatically receive an HPV test through the post at some point from this month.

eveappeal.org.uk/news/hpv-self-sampling-tests-will-now-be-available-for-those-who-havent-attended-cervical-screening/

It’s crazy isn’t it? I can’t speak for all but in my trust if your HPV test is negative they send you a letter that literally says due to testing negative for HPV the sample has not been tested for cancer as the likelihood of cancer if you are HPV negative is so low.

There's no reliable screen for prostate cancer at the moment. So thats why. It's not just because they want to mess with women. I thought they had changed it to an HPV screening anyway, which you can self test for. So what's the difference between what you did and what the NHS are offering?

You are perfectly entitled to make all decisions about your own body especially regarding invasive tests. Equally the NHS has a duty to invite you for tests for a cancer which is curable especially if caught early. It's an invitation - no obligation to attend. Just decline every time if it suits. It's your body and life after all.