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

Not now, but in a previous role.
When I go to the dentist, they not only look at my teeth, they look at the mouth more widely for signs of oral cancers.
Similar thing here. Not perusing in depth, but certainly a visual examination can help pick up things a patient may otherwise not be aware of.

Always best to speak to your nurse or GP if you want more information.

I’m unsure why you’re posting this on a public forum.
As someone who’s mum died from cervical cancer (no prior family history) and then years later I had cell changes and hpv detected, I had to have cells lasered to prevent it turning into something worse. I think you’re being very irresponsible and can’t fathom why you’d not book a test that you only have to have every few years that is merely checking you are ok.
i agree that it’s your body and your choice, i also agree that the procedure seems a bit barbaric. But honestly it’s over in less than a few minutes and saves lives (my mums would have potentially been one of them), so really it’s not a big deal getting it done.
Please actually consider all opinions and research related to smear tests and not just those that fit your narrative. The fact you didn’t actually know how HPV is transmitted is quite telling.

If I remember correctly from my nursing days, you can ask your GP to have your details removed from the database so that any future invites will stop.

NHS smear test first checks for HPV, then for abnormal cells if that is positive. If there is no way you could have HPV (and I’m not sure this is the case for OP) then there is no point in having a smear test.

I’ve only ever slept with a virgin too (well he’s not a virgin anymore, he’s my husband) but I still get my smear done. How bizarre

Yes, impressive even in the context of a subject that leads to a lot of open gates at the cunt farm. Fascinating, and not in a good way, how this issue leads some women to behave towards other women who they disagree with.

Well no, you wouldn't.

Evasive is what the OP is being (and is within her rights to be, regardless of whether it's ill-advised).

A smear test is invasive by definition: that's not a subjective assessment of the experience; it's just a fact.

I think your comparison to tests for men is ridiculous to be honest. Cervical cancer screening is for women. I feel it’s wrong that men are not screened earlier and more regularly to check their PSA levels. We have an advantage that we have these tests at our disposal.

From a personal viewpoint, seeing my 34 year old sister in law die a horrible death from metastatic cervical cancer, leaving behind a 10 year old son, having avoided smear tests, I think your stance is madness. I’ve also had breast cancer and I can tell you that screening saves many lives. You do you. I truly hope you avoid any of these horrors in the future.

"Of course I know I’ll be bombarded with replies saying I’m selfish, stupid and uneducated."

Yet, still, you posted. Why, exactly?

I'm 39. I've been having smears since I was 18 (don't ask me why but my GP at the time wanted me to have them done as I was sexually active) and in all those years I've tested positive for precancerous cells twice. I've had to go through loop excision therapy twice. Yes it's not nice and the second time I made them give me a general because the first time hurt so much - but my smear is due and I go on 2 weeks for my next one. I'd much rather go through all of that than deal with actual cancer which would be much more invasive and could leave my boys without a wife and mother.

But your body. You do you.

Of course there is. Or at least should be when done properly. I know this from my gynaecologist.

You do realise that GPs surgeries get paid for meeting smear test targets (it used to be a % of the patient list in zone but I don't know the current postion).

That is why they write repeatedly and if you feel pressure to attend, that's why. It's not because there is some overarching altruism insisting all women should be tested.

If you don't want to go, don't go. I think you are insanely naive though if you are basing it on an assumption all the men you have slept with are virgins. You can never "know" someone is a virgin unless you have been with them 24/7 since the day they were born. People who are sexually abused as a minor may not choose to reveal that to anyone. People who cheat may lie about it. Anyway it is not the case that there is no risk of HPV from a male virgin anyway.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5034958/

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/12/171213115820.htm

Yes, if someone is having a speculum exam then the professional does visual checks as they do it. Also they ask specific questions about any changes, unusual bleeding/pain.

Haven’t read the full thread so this may have come up already, but I’d be a little concerned that some people getting screened mightn’t fully realise the downsides as well as the benefits, eg the potential for over-treatment, which sometimes can result in negative consequences.
Consent needs to be informed and I’m really not sure it always is.

This is a fucking shameful comment.

Natural selection :)

So because you dont like the method of screening (does anybody?) and are aware of what you deem to be better options. And because you think men should be more routinely screened for male specific conditions - you are refusing to have a test done that literally takes a few minutes once every 3 years or so.
Bizarre logic.

Yes its invasive and not fun but so are A LOT of other medical procedures (some of which Ive also had - tube up the bum for example!) Presumably treatment for cervical cancer is even more invasive........plus the follow up tests if you survive it.

Its years away yet but when you get to 50 you'll be offered potentially life saving mammograms too (which can detect cancer thats almost as small as a fullstop.) Will you skip those as well?

And then others called her, as opposed to what she was saying, stupid. In at least one case whilst clearly either not understanding what is and isn't tested or having failed to read that OP knows she doesn't have HPV, embarrassingly enough for them. Also someone else felt moved to wonder how she'd had a child, which hopefully nobody is going to pretend amounts to challenging misinformation.

Thus far nobody has claimed OP has made them lose any sleep, small mercies, but it's very evident that a number of people give a number of shits. Not really any way round that one.

Are you someone who does smear tests? Genuinely asking.

I agree with you and havent had one either. I am about ten years older than you and even less risk.

It is your choice, your personal choice. I have them but I find them excruciating and I fucking hate people saying 'not as excruciating as cancer'. They're not actually concerned about me, they just want to feel superior.

However - your GP surgery IS trying to catch a devastating disease early.

It's still your choice though. In an ideal world we call have a non-invasive screening but in the absence of that, you have to make a choice and it's absolutely nobody's right to try to coerce or manipulate you.

Yeah I know really. I should just be more responsible.

What on earth in the internalised rape culture hellscape are you trying to say here? It sounds like you're implying that as OP isn't a virgin she shouldn't be so uppity about having whatever inserted into her! Don't you believe in bodily autonomy for women? Should they only have it if they agree with you? For god's sake think before you type!

Yes, a visual check is part of the test.

I’m stunned that you’re vehemently against having a smear, where a small dilator is inserted and a swab of your cervix done in about 30 seconds flat - not a single digit enters your vagina - but elected to have a c section where several hands were literally inside your abdomen for upwards of half an hour.