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

The HPV vaccine now being given to teenagers is a massive advance in medicine which based on the stunning results to date will in due course make smear tests redundant. Except for those who choose not to have it of course.

I’m sure you’d certainly have to have much more invasive procedures up there, if you had cervical cancer and it wasn’t diagnosed in good time.

Although, like many pps, I think OP should grit her teeth and get her smear for her own sake and that of her loved ones, it does irk me a little when the feeling of getting a smear is described as 'discomfort' as it has been by some. I mean, hopefully it is just discomfort for most women (mine tend to be painful for various reasons, and this has had to be worked around in various ways over the years), but it's not the case for everyone. I'm just mentioning this, not to put anyone off having a smear but because pain during smears can be remedied, and doesn't need to be a reason people avoid going. Just saying.

(OP, I do realise you have other reasons for your decision - apologies for the slight derail but I felt it needed saying to the room in general, so to speak.)

The HPV vaccine has all-but-wiped out Cervical cancer in a couple of countries now. HPV tests are what's needed for most people clearly, and would have much greater uptake.

I honestly don't understand the insistence on the expense of smear tests, the vast majority of which won't even be looked at. What's going on with that?

Your body, your choice!

Nobody thinks that you’re awful, it’s only your own health and your own life that you’re playing with. It doesn’t affect the wider population.
My only opinion is that you sound a little thick but I totally agree you have the right to refuse.
Im just glad that the option is there for those who do want to be tested. And yes it’s not pleasant but I’ve experienced far worse.

From someone that had abnormal cells, and CIN 3 at their first smear....you are being ridiculous!
Your choice, your health!

I do remember that, in the later stages of the cancer, the disease ate away at her vagina and she ended up shitting from both orifices. I say not to shock but if it helps only one woman get a test that might not, it's worth it.

The flipside to that is that if OP has a smear test, she may be advised to have further investigations or treatment for something that would never have progressed to cancer anyway. Some people who opt out of cervical smears will be saving the NHS money, some who participate will cost it more than they would if they'd opted out.

I personally wouldn't make the cost argument, but if you're going to do so then there's more than one permutation.

I've had smear tests up until now (50) but I'm stopping OP. I haven't had sex in 4 years and won't be again. Before that had sex with the same person for 25 years. It's so difficult to get an appointment now, they only have appointments several weeks ahead and my periods are all over the place so it's a nigtmare.

I'm not going to go for mammograms either, the risk of being wrongly diagnosed when you don't have a cancer that would develop into anything puts me off:

Estimates suggest that between 15% and 30% of breast cancers detected by mammography screening are cases of overdiagnosis, meaning they would not have developed into a problem during a woman's lifetime. The specific percentage can vary widely depending on the study, the methods used, and the age of the women screened.

In the UK, it is estimated that around 4,000 women each year are overdiagnosed with breast cancer through mammogram screening, meaning they receive treatment for a cancer that would never have become life-threatening.

Cervical cancers are also over diagnosed so I'll take my chances now there's no chance of me getting newly infected with HPV.

You don’t really know your risk factors though do you ?
could be genetic.
They are unpleasant but for me I’d rather have reassurance and if anything is there caught early.

I am now thinking this is a pisstake because the reality is women's health issues have for years been brushed over.

If it isn't then I am unsure why we need an announcement about some random choosing not to have one.

I do go for mine however think it's not great. It's a snapshot of point in time.
I've heard HPV can clear itself up, so what if you didn't have HPV at that point of time but did already have the cancer from it

This is what so many people are ignoring, no matter how many posters point it out! They are NOT routinely looking at cells anymore. Home HPV tests are available.

Your cervical screening results - NHS

So don't have one then. It's your body so do what you want.

@Seventeenstars https://csas.nhs.uk/forms/screening-cease-opt-out-patient/

If you want to roll that dice then you do you.

I do agree in a way.

I just went for a smear test after about 15 years (I've got really heavy periods, and it was one of the hurdles to jump to get treatment)

But the lady doing it explained that they'll first test for HPV, and if I'm negative, then they won't even look at the smear test itself.

At which point, I'm wondering why they aren't saving the hassle and sending out home HPV tests - of the kind I did with my eldest when i was pregnant with him in Canada 16 years ago.

Why did I have to go through the indignity (thank god, not pain these days, although my first couple were when I was younger), when they're not even actually going to look at it (I know I'm HPV negative because I've independently had tests when pregnant, and when cheating ex was discovered)

You body your choice but I have absolutely no idea why you would refuse a test that could save your life.

if you did get it, treatment would be more complex and at risk of getting flamed more costly for the NHS. Yet this could have been avoid by you getting tested

Your body your choice.
However when you shun away preventative medicine that’s designed to save lives before it’s too late you should be denied NHS treatment. People in poor countries would do anything to have access to preventative medicine. The irony.

Im so sorry. Ive also heard some really scary stories. I struggled with them so much I would be a sobbing mess. But now Ive got children I cant miss them. I cant do that to them. My biggest fear is dying and leaving them behind. :(

I wasn't claiming it was controversial; op was.

Oh, there's been some absolute corker threads on the issue over the years!

So you've made an informed choice and don't want it? You are an adult with capacity and you are entitled to do so. Not sure why you've made a post about it. Lots of women don't go for smear tests for lots of reasons. Irl, I've never heard anyone judge anyone for that, outside of 'oh you really should go, it's better than cancer' or whatever.

Personally, unless you have a history of trauma/or if you have a physical condition or mental illness/learning disability, etc, that makes it intolerable, I don't see why you wouldn't attend. But everyone is different, and whilst I may disagree, you are entitled to your view.

Of course not 'secret knowledge', but not quite commission.