Women failing to attend smear tests

Maybe a personal text message rather than an official looking letter would be more effective? I think it would be appropriate to actually speak to a woman in those circumstances so that they can ask questions.

walking - Sorry, I should have been clearer. There is evidence that HPV can lie dormant, but a dormant HPV infection would not be pulled up by the screen and would not produce abnormalities. (The woman in question would screen HPV negative). Only an active HPV infection is picked up or causes cellular abnormalities.

Barracker's issue sounds as though she has had a recent infection, the "signs" of which were still there in the shape of cellular abnormalities when she went for screening, but has cleared the HPV. Therefore the good news is that she's not at risk.

BarrackerBarmer that is interesting, I hope it is good news and will you come back and tell us. I'm sure lots of people would like to know if that helps.

I haven’t seen anyone who is angry of this thread bar a couple of posts from people who can’t get their head around the idea one might choose not to do the smear test

Really? So No it fucking well isn't doesn't come across as angry? I've been called a liar and told I'm not entitled to say people on both sides are coming across as angry.

Lots of people on both sides aren't angry, some people don't understand why people would refuse a test and other people don't understand why people object. Perfectly reasonable on both sides. The fact that people feel the screening scheme is wrong or HCP are professional isn't the fault of anyone on here.

Why can't we all respect each others views?

Compassionate and gentle should be the standard from HCPs. Not a special effort if a woman is deemed damaged enough

My personal research uncovered a link between very low levels of B12 and cell changes. At that time I did have a b12 deficiency. My repeat test is in the autumn, and I will no longer have a B12 deficiency so it remains to be seen whether the cells have returned to normal.

NHS nurses would be compassionate in those circumstances

Oh yeah for sure. Especially because I introduce myself to HCPs with hi I’m batteries, let’s revisit my trauma before we proceed shall we?

Maybe a personal text message rather than an official looking letter would be more effective?

That isn't my understanding of hpv. Is it not true that hpv can lie dormant, much like the herpes virus and reappear even if cleared?

barracker - I agree, I think the letter could be better worded. I think part of the problem here is that there is a certain coyness amongst the screening community about telling women they have had HPV or have cleared HPV.

My understanding is as follows: HPV causes changes to the cells of the cervix, and these are picked up by screening. In most cases, women clear HPV by themselevs, without any issue, and everything goes back to normal. So if you have abnormal cells, but no HPV, you don't need to worry as your cells will be fine. However, in some rare cases, for reasons we don't really understand, a woman struggles to clear the HPV infection. It persists, and it causes more and more changes and these are the cases that can - if left untreated - turn cancerous over time.

In summary, you don't need to worry. You'd cleared the HPV infection, and you are fine!

My last smear test showed borderline results.
And the letter suggested the following points:

• the cell changes observed mostly do not lead to cancer. (But sometimes they do is the logical conclusion)
• the cell changes can indicate HPV. (But not in my case. No explanation offered for what it means to have cell changes without HPV)
• the word 'abnormal' was used to refer to the cell changes.
• it has been concluded my risk is low, and I can't have a repeat smear for three years.

So,to recap:
Your cervix has abnormal cells, we aren't offering an explanation of why or what this might mean, sometimes these abnormal cells lead to cancer, see you in 3 years.

I think that sending a letter like that is irresponsible.

If abnormal cells in the absence of HPV carry no additional risk to normal cells, then say that, explicitly. Otherwise letters like mine are tantamount to three years of worrying and hoping those abnormal cells don't lead to cancer whilst counting down the time until the next smear.

There is plenty of room for improvement in how the service communicates with and treats women and the respect for their ability to digest facts and make informed decisions.

So let's take this to some logical conclusions....some years from now, there MAY be a rise in deaths from cervical cancer......this MAY be as a result of lower take up rates among some women. Who will get the blame for this I wonder?? Well I'll certainly be in the frame 😉 but usually it will be the NHS I would imagine. So here we have a study which is seeking to highlight the issue and thereby might do some good, I say might as it isn't being well received by some. So do we simply ignore or address the issues highlighted. Perhaps this study is flawed and other studies arise as a consequence, I don't know. But would you not agree that SOMETHING should be done or do we wait and see, hope for the best. But someone will be blamed, that is a definite.

Not all abuse survivors will struggle, or are you saying that they will. I imagine that some would struggle and that NHS nurses would be compassionate in those circumstances? But that isn't what the study addressed and that is what is being discussed.

The discussion is about the uptake of smears. This has been reduced to fear and vanity in younger women - silly vain women.

Other people are suggesting there might be other factors. So it is a relevant point.

Many sexual abuse survivors would feel uncomfortable. I'd be more surprised if they weren't. They might also not feel comfortable revealing it in the first place.

guardianfree

Yes because I am the only one who has been aggressive🙄 and I am not the only one who thinks that the low take up rate by young women is worrying. Those of us who have expressed concern have been met with sarcasm, aggression and disregard. But yes, Continue to scapegoat me, and the NHS and Jo's Trust and every other organisation which is seeking to address the issues because clearly we don't have a clue what we are talking about.

You are telling me what I think is wrong, the very definition of telling me what to think?? I am as entitled to my opinion as are you.

No. Me telling you I think you are wrong is me telling you what I think.

I can and will discuss the issues of female bodies, there have been many debates on here about how damaging beauty standards are on women, it's a feminist issue. Now you can deny that as much as you wish but the research is showing that this pressure is affecting how young women are making health choices, this merits discussion.

I think you need to read posts more carefully so you are replying to what people have actually said. In my last post, far from deny the issue of beauty ideals, I absolutely agreed that they need to be challenged.

What I did request though was that you use the correct body part labels. If you are going to lecture people at least get the words right.

Xenophile

Not all abuse survivors will struggle, or are you saying that they will. I imagine that some would struggle and that NHS nurses would be compassionate in those circumstances? But that isn't what the study addressed and that is what is being discussed.

You have never once addressed the issue of abuse survivors Walking, not once. Oddly enough I was specifically looking out for you to do that while you were informing us all that we're too thick to understand.

You are telling me what I think is wrong, the very definition of telling me what to think?? I am as entitled to my opinion as are you.

I can and will discuss the issues of female bodies, there have been many debates on here about how damaging beauty standards are on women, it's a feminist issue. Now you can deny that as much as you wish but the research is showing that this pressure is affecting how young women are making health choices, this merits discussion.

If young women are not attending screening due to body image issues them it needs to be addressed

Ok. But then surely it is the body image issues in general and the way women are reduced to nothing more than attractive fuck holes for men would be a good place to start rather than berating those same women for feeling it.

Not all of them.

I'm 43 and I don't have them

I haven't told a single person here what to think. Your reply doesn't make any sense.

Also 40 something eomen ARE attending cervical screening so moot point.

PeacefulBlessing

If young women are not attending screening due to body image issues them it needs to be addressed, so why don't you stop telling other women like me what to do or what to think.......

I believe the study by Jo's cancer trust, because I work with young women and they tell me the same things daily.....designer pubic free vagina's are a very real issue for many young women and it is affecting the way they feel about their bodies which then potentially affects everything else.

Firstly, every single vagina is pubic hair free naturally and they cannot be seen however 'akimbo' your legs are. If you are going to try and come on here and lecture women about their bodies, you should at least have the the repect and take the time to ensure you're talking about the correct body part.

Secondly, what about the 40something women who aren't bothered about waxing and have no concerns with how they appear or smell. Stop trivialising women and their individual, personal reasons for doing things.