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

WOULD have resolved on their own, or COULD have resolved on their own?

That's a fairly big difference and one that can't actually be answered for each individual without actually leaving the condition to see if it does resolve.

As someone who has been on the rough end of a cervical cancer diagnosis, not an experiment I would suggest

Very possibly. But post screening, many people are treated for presentations that would have resolved on their own. They are treated unnecessarily and this can have negative health consequences too.

There are harms associated with screening as well as benefits. Trying to get the balance right (at a population level) is one reason the medical profession are constantly making adjustments to the programme.

You, you do. But it's a stupid decision.
I know a young woman someone who's live was saved because of a smear test. Without it her child would have lost his mother

It's an option - with some GPs. It is far from standard.

Congratulations. Would you like a hat and balloon? 🎈

You can opt out here OP: https://csas.nhs.uk/forms/screening-cease-opt-out-patient/

The form to attach is this:
https://csas.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Informed-Consent-for-withdrawal-from-the-Cervical-Screening-Programme-1.docx

Email the form to your GP too or they'll keep ringing you, it's two different recall systems.

“they’re really not that bad to have done”

In your experience.

For some women, including myself and other women I know, they don’t just involve ‘mild discomfort’ but pain. To the extent mine have had to be done in hospital where the specialist team has access to techniques and ‘chairs’ which can put the patient in a position making their cervix more accessible.

The statistics on the prevalence and risks of getting breast cancer vs the (much lower) risk of cervical cancer always made sense to prioritise breast screening

There are lots of suggestions here for women who struggle with smear tests. These will all take extra time and it even suggests extra appointments. Asking for this sort of support where there's a necessity is very different to a routine test when there is an alternative to just manage your own HPV test.

www.gov.uk/government/publications/cervical-screening-support-for-people-who-find-it-hard-to-attend/cervical-screening-support-for-people-who-feel-anxious-about-attending

Personally I think not taking up the offer of a health screening is the wrong decision. I'm also autistic, but personally I have no problem with getting a smear test done. I'm in Scotland where they're done every five years, but it used to be every three years and I think changing it was a mistake, frankly I think the more screening the better. I haven't had the HPV jab as I left school a few years before it was rolled out, but I should probably look into getting it.

No one is saying that a smear is a fun experience, but it only takes a few minutes. I do recognise there are people who struggle with them for various reasons, but if they can get through it, a few minutes of discomfort is surely better than treatment for advanced cancer.

Yep, this. We are behind the curve in a number of respects

Why would you risk doing a test that could show you need intervention?

You believe her, I don't.

Interesting — that article says cervical cancer screening take-up rates stand at 68.8%. It appears OP is far from alone.

I don't understand what you mean by why risk getting to that stage? What stage?

There's a big difference between going for an unnecessary procedure (smear vs swab test) vs one that is necessary (smear if HPV found).
If the op says she has carried out a home test, I believe her. Nothing about this approach has been negligent.

It is being offered as an option:

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/home-testing-kits-for-lifesaving-checks-against-cervical-cancer

It is a secondary option aimed at those that don't usually attend clinical appointments because it isn't the gold standard.

Still missing my point.

Why would you want to risk even getting to that stage. I'll be surprised if the OP has even done a test and has relied on her sexual past to guide her.

She posted for a reason and has been very firm about her convictions.

I just had to post, after a chuckle…serious subject but a little light heartedness is allowed “up her hooter”!

I am going to be laughing all day!

There's no point crossing that bridge before you come to it.
Avoiding an unnecessary procedure makes sense where there is a less intrusive alternative.

That's my point. If the test came back positive then it's absolutely into the stirrups. Why would you want to risk that if you had such an aversion to internals by medical professionals to the point you have a section to avoid them?

Like those being breathalysed and trying not to breathe too hard into the thing.

But like I said, I'm not arsed if someone wants to take that gamble. It's their life.

There is no such thing as an at home smear test. There is an HPV test which according to the op's first post she has used.

"There are home tests for HPV available, which I have done myself in the past - all clear."

Yes its in her original post she's done an at home HPV test and it was clear. So if she does these say every 3 years and its negative, its the same thing.

If a self HPV test comes back positive then there are of course decisions to make about whether to go for further screening. I would imagine someone who has chosen to do the self test knows this and would expect to follow it up, otherwise why pay for the test?

Has she though?

I totally get that about funds being finite and totally respect that and I don't disagree. But one of my points is that woman going for smears are under the impression that a smear test is 'looking for abnormal cell changes' when for the vast majority it is simply an HPV screen and nothing more. If the OP is testing for HPV herself, she is doing exactly what the NHS do, so she doesn't need to go for smears

But that still doesn't answer the question of how she would get checked - she's already done an at home smear test.

What I want to know, if nobody is allowed up her hooter for medical checks full stop. Would she even go and get seen to if she did show signs of a problem? Leaving a kid motherless to make a point type of thing.

She didn't just touch on smears. It was childbirth related checks and mammograms as well. Which says it's a thinking of I'll not have any medical checks full stop because I don't think it's necessary.

This strong way of thinking goes far beyond smear tests.