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

I sympathise with your discomfort OP. I didn’t have them for years as I wasn’t sexually active until quite late and also had a condition called vaginismus which no one on here seems to have come across otherwise they’d understand that for some women, having anything inside you can be intolerable. In my case this was down to the psychological effects of a skin condition I had as a child which affected my genital area and had gone untreated. I sent a letter asking to be removed from their list as it was a waste getting the reminders.
As soon as I started to have sex with my now husband I realised I had to confront this and also start getting smear tests - they can be life saving as people have said. So I asked to be sent appointments again. I always tell the nurse about the vaginismus and they have always adapted their technique and used a smaller speculum and it’s been fine. I’m not suggesting you have vaginismus but I’m just saying you can overcome discomfort enough to have a test even if it’s not pleasant.
I also have a friend who has vaginismus who has had two kids and didn’t have a smear for years either before or after giving birth naturally as she couldn’t bear the idea. She then suspected a problem so also worked to overcome this and has had a smear - I think she went to a special clinic as she was told she was not alone in her avoidance of it.
Hope I’ve educated some folk on here - not every woman’s experience is the same! (And not all women get to go through pregnancy and birth even if they want to by the way).
Meanwhile at my last smear a few months ago the nurse said they have changed the instruments they use and are looking at further changes as they realise they need to make it easier for women and we’ve had a raw deal for years with a very invasive procedure.

How is OP at any more risk of cervical cancer by not having them if she does the HPV test at home? Do people think they look at the cells routinely, like they used to?

🙈 just read the rest of your posts. Lord. You’re a lost cause. Opted for an elective c section. You really are uneducated. Did you not educate yourself on those
risks? Csections are an incredible, often life saving, medical procedure but not one to be taken lightly. It’s certainly not the easy way. Wow. You do you, but stop spouting shite on the internet which could influence some one else. Also, prostate exams literally involve a finger up a man’s arse. Fortunately us women don’t have to have that done. Just different anatomy deary, why examinations can differ on men and women. Get a grip.

My mums 68 and never had one. I think lots of people dont.
It is your choice .
I dont like them at all and I am due to have another one. But it is quick and once done I do feel better for doing it

Not sure why you think anyone cares what you do with your cervix

To me? Nah. Her husband and son might be a bit upset though.

Ok, I’ll bite I suppose.

I personally couldn’t give a flying f**k about whether or not you have a smear test. I don’t care a jot if you discover cancer at a stupidly late stage, and there’s nothing anyone can do for you. It irritates me slightly that the NHS will potentially have to spend money on more invasive actions rather than you just having the original smear test. But not to any sort of point that I can get wound up about it.

I even thought to myself “ok. I don’t really care, but I guess OP is entitled to her choices” until I read the old war cry of the medically ignorant “IVE DONE MY RESEARCH”. There is nothing that makes you sound more like an alternative, ignorant, stubborn arse when it comes to OPINIONS on medical procedures when you don’t have a medical background. You definitely got an eye roll from me at that part

....does it matter?

Genuine question - if you do get cervical cancer will you refuse treatment as you don’t want anything inserting up there?

You always have a choice

(Also, I can help you find your soul)

My friends vulval cancer was observed during her smear. Don’t underestimate the value a visual inspection has - the HPV element isn’t everything.

Have it, don’t have it - your choice.

I went every 3 years for mine religiously, when on one they noticed a growth on my cervix. It wasn’t cancerous, but it needed rapid treatment to avoid growth or complications. That was just from the visual exam. I’ve never been positive for HPV.

Honestly, it’s a couple of minutes of discomfort for reassurance and prevention. Grow up.

I’m at an age when I don’t get called for smear tests automatically any more but I still request one every five years because I want to find out as early as possible if I’ve developed a problem that can be treated early. When I was in my early 50s, an internal examination showed that I had a large cervical cyst which was removed quickly and easily, but which wouldn’t have been found otherwise if I’d not had my smear test until it started to cause me problems. Similarly with mammograms, if I hadn’t had my second mammogram, the three tumours that were found in my breast wouldn’t have been detected until they were really well established - they were all very deep in my breast tissue and weren’t detectable through normal examination. I don’t enjoy the indignity of smear tests and mammograms any more than any other woman, but in my case they probably saved my life - my health is too important to me to refuse to have any screening that’s on offer.

No they don’t get commission. But you could argue it’s cheaper to do a smear and treat early than finding a cancer late. Up to you but don’t act so high and mighty and educated as your not. How horrendous the nhs are offering screening for something that could save your life. I had cin 3 and no hpv. Thank god I went for my smear.

Well, OP, a friend of mine nearly died from
cervical cancer last year aged 31. She can’t ever have children.

So your life is your own, but what a needless waste when the tests are readily available for a reason.

I think this is absolutely fine. No one has to have checks for anything if they don't want. I'd assume they won't accept treatment for cancer if they get it as well though? Like if you're avoiding catching these things early so treatment is much easier and more reliable surely not wanting the tests you only have to have ever few years means you're ok with the consequences should they happen.

I love how you're research and justification are just anecdotes though. Why are we paying scientists and drs so much to create these measures when all we needed was to consult you.
And I'm sure your partner can go ask for a test, he's a big boy. Where I am no one offers tests for anything to anyone the responsibility to seek one is on the adult. Imagine if we all threw a tantrum because they didn't come looking for us to be tested for these things...

Only you are affected by this. Only you will suffer not us so it’s your choice!
Prostate cancer usually affects older men. Cervical cancer is the fourth most common and can affect younger women.
Why do you think women are offered smears? Just to piss them off?!

It’s your choice. Nobody can force you.

One of my childhood friends felt the same. She was only ever with one man, her childhood sweetheart, husband and father of her children.

She was around your age when she became ill with a ‘UTI she couldn’t get rid of’ and was admitted to hospital for tests. They found advanced cervical cancer that had spread to other organs, and she died 8-months later, leaving three children behind.

There isn’t a chance I would miss a smear test. Just not worth it.

Fine then don’t have one. It’s your own health at risk for cancer so feel free to take that chance.
I never thought I would have precancerous cells ever but yet still happened to me and thankful the smear test picked it up to be treated in time

There are forms you can sign to be removed from the cervical screening programme. Ask the surgery for one and sign it.
Yes surgeries get paid for doing them, they also get paid for calling you. It pays my wages and allows me to run clinics to vaccinate babies, treat asthmatics etc.
The self swab HPV test should be rolled out this year to certain groups, but of course no one is then visualising your cervix. I have referred many asymptomatic women for polyps which can become cancerous.
It’s not uncommon to decline smears. It’s not controversial. Sign the form and forget about it if you feel that strongly.

The PSA blood test for prostate cancer is on its own unreliable, but if he is deemed high risk they’ll probably agree he can have one.
Practice nurse.

A smear test saved my life. Without a subsequent loop diathermy, my high grade abnormal cells would've progressed to cancer eventually. There's no symptoms. I felt healthy as a horse.

I would imagine the home test aren’t promoted more because there is more of a risk of them being done incorrectly and also the risk of people not actually doing them once they receive them.

I do think if people opt or refuse a smear they should automatically be offered a home hpv test though.

Maybe GPs do get bonuses but I think the overwhelming benefit is early detection and lives saved. I mean, they might be keen to get people getting tests anyway?

If the home hpv test is new but as effective as a smear then chances are it will get rolled out and replace smear tests, or there will be an option, in time. In the meanwhile lots of us are happy to be both offered and regularly reminded to book.

And what if your husband cheats? However much you kid yourself it’s not possible, you can’t be 100% sure. Family history does not factor in with cervical cancer, it’s caused by HPV.

You sound naive believing all previous partners were virgins.

I caught HPV while married. I’m 28 and have Cin1. I’ve only had the HPV positive smears for the past 3 years (lived in a country where you get annual smears from 21. Within the last year, it’s progressed to CIN1. I don’t drink or smoke and have had no symptoms.

Had I not been having annual smears, I dare to thing what it may have developed into.