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

I’d imagine cancer would be a sensory nightmare.

I’ve got an autistic child. If he needs a procedure, because an actual medical professional says he does, he’s getting that procedure. He needed 7 X-rays a few months back. Screamed the place down, but he had them.

Autism is not an excuse here. Adjustments could and should be made for it, but unless you’re a medical professional- you do not know better.

Tbh Australia and Canada (and some other countries) have procedures for women to self smear

No because the most accurate way is to take cells straight from your cervix. Your body your choice of course but saying "are they in commission" is unpleasant. My job as a nurse is to care for my patients health, not earn commission obviously 🙄

GPs are incentivised to promote participation in cervical screening because it is an effective and cost effective screening programme that saves lives. This does not affect your right to decline which you are most welcome to continue to exercise. Just tell them that you want to opt out and you want that recorded on your records as being your decision.

There isn’t a prostate cancer screening program because the tests available are too inaccurate to be used for screening and would not be cost effective. It is not a sex discrimination issue

I’m confused why people are berating the OP with tales of cancer death
she is testing for HPV, the same as a smear does
so effectively she is doing her own smear as they don’t test cells now
not seeing an issue with that, it’s a decent alternative

Wouldn’t be outside the realms of possibility.

I’m pretty sure they’ve moved away from the invasive testing for that now too - I don’t understand why they can’t do the same for smears. Oh yes, because we’re not men.

now you just sound like a petulant child.

In other pointless updates.. I was going to make a chicken pie for dinner tonight, but then couldn’t be arsed, so I made a chicken curry instead. Nobody gives a fuck.

Do what you want, OP. Nobody cares about your dramatic need for attention. 🙄

What do you mean with feel your cervix? How is that relevant to a paper smear?

edit: my cervix is fairly sensitive (I believe, I obviously can’t compare) so the thought of feeling it is somehow (surprisingly) horrifying to me.

This thread does highlight one very important thing: the utter failure by medical professionals to accommodate women who are adverse to certain procedures. ie how about offering sedation, counselling, or other medication to reduce panic/anxiety. We need to be our own advocates. Our lives depend on it. 🤔

Err, no, it’s not because they’re men.
In a few years time, if enough young people get vaccinated against HPV, there’d be no need for smears, and genital warts could be just about wiped out. The aim is to ultimately spare women smears, and spare GP staff having to call women to come in for one to try and save lives.

In the meantime, you do you. Nobody feels smug for getting a smear test and nobody thinks you’re a hero for refusing one.

You do make a reasonable point about less invasive tests. When I had my last one they told me they just tested for HPV and if that’s negative they don’t even check the smear for dodgy cells. But it is what it is. I’m not going to refuse a test which could save my life on the basis they should be giving me a less invasive test.

Your decision entirely.

The anxiety I would feel if I didn’t have them is too overwhelming. For the sake of a couple of minutes every 5 years, it is so worth it for peace of mind.

At the age of 22 a smear test saved my life. You have the right to make your own choices, but you don't have the right to pass judgement on those who decide to do it. Not once have I felt or acted morally superior because I attend smear tests. What I have felt gor the past nearly 39 years is alive.

Ok.. you do you.
My very first smear test saved my life.
You won’t like my opinion/stance to your attitude/post.

It's only you and your family you are impacting if you do have cervical cancer or do develop it.
I guess you can only hope you don't, for their sake and yours as by the time you have symptoms, treatment options will be limited.

No there's no hereditary link been found. The overwhelming amount of cervical cancers (99.7% of them) are caused by long term HPV infection

Do get a smear, both for the visual check of your cervix, vulval and vaginal health and the HPV test.

I'm sorry for your loss

last time I looked, we lived in a free country! Your body, your choice. Ask your surgery to stop contacting you if it’s bothering you.

By that point you would have later stage cancer. RIP.

Crack on then, no one cares really. It’s to save your own life, if you’re not bothered neither is anyone else.

No one likes the procedure but it’ll be a whole lot less invasive than cervical cancer treatment I guess. I take it you’ve never had a baby OP?

No one in my family has had cancer - until I got cervical cancer and luckily it was picked up early so I didn’t leave my kids without a mum. You aren’t just making this decision to put your head in the sand you’re also making the decision to potentially leave your children’s without a mum. It’s a 2 minute thing once a year and it isn’t traumatic. I’ve been the victim of rape and if anyone should have an issue with internal examinations it’s me but I managed to just get on with it.

Well yes, you have the right to reject any form of medical treatment. I just don't think the fact it's a bit unpleasant is a good reason - but that's only an opinion.

I find smears really difficult too - on one occasion two different nurses tried and failed, so I had to go back at a later date. But I wouldn't have just cancelled.

@WildLeader mammograms, like smears, aren't painful for everyone. We need to stop dismissing women's pain.

I don't have them either OP. Too painful and carrying certain risks. But the majority of women prefer to.

Idk. I could feel if it felt different. But I know it's no excuse.