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

Relatively easy for who? Because most women tend to find the process uncomfortable at best and agonising at worst. But as is always the case when it comes to women’s health, we are expected to grin and bear it as otherwise we are harassed for the rest of our lives.

According to this, they should be available to women and people with a cervix from this month.
https://eveappeal.org.uk/news/hpv-self-sampling-tests-will-now-be-available-for-those-who-havent-attended-cervical-screening/

I don’t find them that bad. I realise how fortunate I am that I don’t have any trauma or medical condition that would make a smear test (or any vaginal exam) traumatic or painful. I really feel for anyone who finds them difficult for whatever reason.

Chemo is more unpleasant, in my unfortunate experience.

I don’t think anyone’s said women are awful people for not getting screened. People are just surprised because it can help protect your health.

It’s your choice though and not a moral issue. They don’t get extra commission for smears they’re just told to encourage them.

Entirely up to you of course.
However if l hadn’t had a smear in 1995 l would be dead by now. That’s all l want to say.

Excellent post.

For obvious reasons, this is an emotive topic. I think this post raises some important points, namely that for many women this is not an easy or simple procedure. The OP has highlighted the challenges that some people with sensory disabilities face, which is something that should be taken seriously not ridiculed.

Additionally, (and this was actually the main point of the OP) it’s highlighted an important question about how the test might be made more accessible via self-sampling. It seems this IS on the horizon in 2026 for those who struggle to attend but want to. While apparently the in-person test is the ‘gold standard’, at least this will provide more opportunities for those who find tests painful or traumatic or struggle to attend for other reasons.

It’s also highlighted the unpleasant narrative that’s taken hold around smear tests where women who struggle with them are derided as “thick”, irresponsible and met with fear mongering around dying and leaving their children motherless. Plus questions around whether they are deserving of medical care in the event they develop cancer. None of this is helpful.

When someone reveals to us that they aren’t screening, there ARE things we can do to help, including listening without judgement if they want to talk about it, offering to accompany them if they wish, signposting them to relevant organisations that can help such as ‘My Body Back’ in the case of past sexual trauma. Approaching with tact and sensitivity, rather than judging them. And ultimately, respecting their bodily autonomy.

It’s understandable that people might feel strongly but no one was ever helped by being mocked.

I have gone for all of my scheduled smear tests.

I think all women have a strong dislike of having things inserted internally - it’s not nice.

I have been told by the clinician doing my smear test that I have a healthy looking cervix. My risk I believe is very low. I still go! In some ways I do it
in solidarity of the women that do get diagnosed and that do die from cervical cancer.

We have this service available to us, we
should use it. But like everything in rich countries, we have the choice.

Hopefully prostate cancer screening will be offered in the same way in the future.

But it is encouraging to read what @NewJobat50 writes about the HPV vaccine.

Thanks again. I don't understand why this isn't being factored into the clinical discussions around screening. Maybe it's just not happening often enough for people to care.

I don't think a reliable HPV test for men exists, does it?

Your body, your choice.

Well, if your view is that it's unclear then that would still be a reason for those people not to make assumptions.

And the point of my post was that some people very clearly do care, and are bothered enough to have been personally insulting. It simply won't do for anyone to pretend nobody gives one.

I have, at least a couple of times, including a suspicious mole a woman wasn’t aware of.

Reddit has a lot of threads with yiur views on paps. Highly reccomend going there for a discussion.

yabu hth

An at home test is an option from 2026 - states so on the NHS website

I have gone for all of my scheduled smear tests.

I think all women have a strong dislike of having things inserted internally - it’s not nice.

I have been told by the clinician doing my smear test that I have a healthy looking cervix. My risk I believe is very low. I still go! In some ways I do it
in solidarity of the women that do get diagnosed and that do die from cervical cancer.

We have this service available to us, we
should use it. But like everything in rich countries, we have the choice.

Hopefully prostate cancer screening will be offered in the same way in the future.

But it is encouraging to read what @NewJobat50 writes about the HPV vaccine.

If you are having sex you are at risk of developing cervical cancer. It is predominantly cause by a virus that is easily transferred from one body to another either by penatrive sex or oral sex. The virus can also cause oral cancer and the increase in cases in 20-30yr olds seen in the 90s and 2000s was a result of increased oral sexual activity. Thankfully the introduction of the HPV vaccination has saved a lot of young people from death or severe facial disfigurement, although men are still at a higher risk because they were not offered the vaccine.

There is little evidence that cervical cancer is one of the cancers more likely in families that carry certain gene mutations. It is almost always due to infection. As for virgin men, it was a trend a few years ago to maintain virginity by only having oral sex. It doesn’t prevent transmission of sexually transmitted diseases but may stop pregnancy.

If you have had more than 8 sexual partners, however you decided to swap bodily fluids you will have significantly increased your risk of being infection with HPV.

It’s a simple test which also includes a clinical examination of the gross anatomy and any pathology of your cervix. Something it is impossible to do yourself. A manual examination doesn’t replace a good look around.

We may not enjoy the examination but cancer diagnosis and treatment is an horrendous ordeal. Having been diagnosed with breast cancer and undergone treatment I fully support any screening programme that will save lives.

Probably.
Someone else has posted a similar story on page 14. They also wouldn’t be picked up now!

It's not at all clear from the OP's post that she doesn't have HPV. All she said is that she tested at home "in the past". She didn't say she tests regularly and seems to be confident enough that there is no need since she only sleeps with virgin men.
I don't think personal insults are necessary but I also don't think it is wise to assume that OP is absolutely confident she is not at risk and doesn't have active HPV as we speak.
I am also still not entirely certain what her motives were for posting.

It is up to you. I am married to the only man I have ever been with and we were both virgins when we we got together and to the best of my knowledge we have both always been faithful to each other. Now that they only test for HPV and not abnormal cells I've wondered if I am wasting my time myself. I've had two fairly bad experiences with smears over the years but my last one wasn't too bad so hopefully I will see the same nurse again next time.

I go because I suppose you never know. I'm sure there are lots of women like me to 100% trust their husbands fidelity and they are being cheated on, or a lifetime of being faithful could end. Its impossible to know what the men you've been with have done without your knowledge and so there is always a risk that you have been infected, you don't need to have sex to contract it. They say 80% or 4 in 5 women will contract HPV at some point in their life. Not great odds.

I suppose some people might suggest that if you have the option of a test you should take it and get early treatment which will be more cost effective as opposed to needing intensive treatment and costing the NHS a lot more more and risking your life. In that frame it could look selfish that you refuse a test especially if you would then avail yourself of NHS treatment if you did develop cancer from an HPV infection. Not my opinion as such but I think that is how some view it.

What part of her post do you agree with?

Thanks - did you ever refer someone as a result of spotting a visual abnormality?

I can't find any evidence this ever happens. The process seems to be just a sample collection to be examined later if there is a positive HPV test. Ive looked at quite a bit of literature discussing the change to HPV screen and nobody seems to be talking about this as a downside/ risk factor.

Your choice. Bloody stupid decision.

I don't feel morally superior having a smear. I also am not keen on having the procedure. You just must do what you are comfortable with it is up to you.
I think it would be great if they didn't fob younger people off with ibs diagnosis and checked for bowel cancer...have personal and professional experience of young women being fobbed off and finding out too late.