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GP is trying pressure me into smear test. Is this acceptable?

420 replies

Enfys1982 · 04/01/2023 14:51

A fortnight ago I had a UTI which was treated with a short course of antibiotics. It cleared up but then came back again so I was prescribed more AB’s and did a sample, they couldn’t grow a culture from the sample but I did have raised white blood cells. When the GP rang me to discuss it she initially asked if I could repeat the test and we’d take it from there she noticed on my notes that I was a due a smear and said she wanted to check my cervix as well. For reasons I don’t want to go into I don’t want a smear test, but she went on and on me and basically pushed me into making an appointment with a nurse rather than rechecking my wee sample. I didn’t feel I could say no or explain my reasons why, she didn’t ask me why I felt the way I did either.

Honestly I feel much better now. The unpleasant symptoms have gone so I cancelled the appointment and she’s now phoned me up and asked why I cancelled. I said I felt better and I was busy when my appointment was booked for (both true) but she continued to push and implied that she wouldn’t run any further tests until I’d had my cervix examined. Just thinking about it is making me have a tight chest and panicky I really don’t think I could face it unless I was knocked out. I don’t have any gynae symptoms, my periods are normal etc. I had a fucking UTI! Why is she pushing me to have an invasive test I don’t want or need abs which isn’t relevant to what was wrong with me? She’d already asked if I was currently sexually active and I said no.

The more I think about it the more feel angry. I’ve had similar before from other staff at the practice when I’ve gone in for other things not relevant. Do they get commission for every smear they do or something?

OP posts:
rosemarycait96 · 06/01/2023 20:45

Gwenhwyfar · 05/01/2023 23:36

"Just a side note here - I (sexually active and very pregnant etc) have never been able to use a tampon in my life, no matter what I've tried."

May I ask why? If it's not to do with pain on inserting things?

No idea to be honest! I've just never been able to insert it properly/keep one in. It's never been painful to try, just feels like my body just won't let it in. Never had any issues with sex or smear tests, it's literally just tampons. Odd.

LadyOfTheFliessssss · 06/01/2023 23:57

RosesAndHellebores · 06/01/2023 20:45

I also recall getting a letter from NHS England in about 2014 telling me that if I didn't engage with the screening programme I risked being struck off my MP wrote in stern terms.

I was having smear tests but privately. Not my fault that the gynaecologist hadn't written to the GP. Neither did I care.

I saw a private gynaecologist because I went to church with the practice nurse. I wasn't comfortable with taking communion at one end as she was a server and giving with the other.

Oh my god!! That's horrendous.

I'm yet again questioning if a man would be threatened with that over a missed prostate exam

Buzzinwithbez · 07/01/2023 09:53

LadyOfTheFliessssss · 06/01/2023 23:57

Oh my god!! That's horrendous.

I'm yet again questioning if a man would be threatened with that over a missed prostate exam

That's an interesting question.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

LovedFedAndNoonesDead · 07/01/2023 14:08

I opted out of cervical screening many years ago by completing the form and had no issues at the time; stopped receiving reminder letters and it was never mentioned by my GP surgery. Then we moved to another area and I started getting hassled to have them by the new surgery. Completed the form and was told by a receptionist that it would have to be agreed to by a Dr to forward it to the screening service - so I went back another time and enquired as to the contact address for the screening service for GDPR purposes, was given it and sent a paper copy of the form to them!!

Since I did that, the only contact I’ve had was after registering with the NHS app a couple of months ago, when I received a letter saying according to their records I’d opted out; if this was correct, I need do nothing; if incorrect, I could inform my GP surgery and ask them to put me back on the screening list.

lieselotte · 07/01/2023 14:26

PoseyFlump · 06/01/2023 17:15

Woah @throwawayusername2 what a strange call. So you're not allowed to come off the register until you've had a verbal telling off?! Do let us know how the second phone call goes!

We're far too feather-headed to know what is best for our own bodies...

It's amazing that they are apparently so overworked but have time to chase people about routine stuff.

Sounds like they need lessons in time management and prioritisation. I bet if the OP phoned to speak to her GP about something else she'd be told she had to wait 11 days or something similar.

XenoBitch · 07/01/2023 20:31

LadyOfTheFliessssss · 06/01/2023 23:57

Oh my god!! That's horrendous.

I'm yet again questioning if a man would be threatened with that over a missed prostate exam

I have heard of women being denied birth control pills unless they have a smear.

Thankfully I have had no issues with my current GP, but my old one sent me a letter summarising a mental health assessment I had, and mentioned I needed a smear.

AfraidToRun · 20/06/2023 20:05

If it helps, I put mine off for four years and then eventually had one. It was fine but I still cried afterwards. The nurse was really nice and understood didnt seem shocked at all.@ It's a sensitive exam and those doing it are really good, even if the ones arranging it aren't.

Spittykityy · 27/10/2023 19:52

Actually, GP surgeries DO get financial incentives if they can browbeat enough of their women patients into getting a smear. Hence the constant badgering. I have been harassed about smears during a review of migraine meds and also when diagnosed with anaemia. I wasn't having any periods then either, so blood loss wasn't causing it. I opted out in 2015. Ditto, mammograms

Applebottomjeenz · 27/10/2023 21:30

Go for your smear. It really could save your life. It only takes a few mins and we all get checked down below at times.

Twentyfirstcenturymumma · 28/10/2023 12:35

https://www.jostrust.org.uk/professionals/cervical-screening/myths-facts

This has some useful information. It's in the public domain.

Some of the articles posted on here re payments to GP practices date back to 2012, there have been several reviews of financial incentives for GP practices since then. Public health and health promotion always seek to provide the maxinum benefit to the maxinum number of people given scarce NHS resources, still free at the point of delivery in the UK

AfraidToRun · 28/10/2023 13:32

OP, are you planning to never have a smear test? I don't mean that to wind you up, but if you plan on having them in the future (if not now) then you'll need to be honest and open with them so they can support you appropriately.

I finally went after being 4 years overdue. The nurses were lovely and said if it was overwhelming they could stop and I could rearrange but turning up was the hard bit.

LesSanges · 28/10/2023 13:40

A woman I’d known from school died earlier this year from cervical cancer. Late 30s. Two kids under five.

I absolutely could not give a microcosm of a tiny flying fuck if GPs get incentives or not for me having my smear test. All the better for them if they do.

Have your damn smear tests.

ILoveMyBedTooMuch · 28/10/2023 15:09
Costume Party Zombie GIF by Halloween Party

Old thread

Spittykityy · 28/10/2023 15:42

Applebottomjeanz..no thanks. I won't go for "my" smear. If I have a problem in my vaginal area I will go to the doctor, and probably consent to an examination. Since we have a less than 1% chance to develop this cancer over our lifetime, I'm happy to accept this risk and remain unsmeared. Since I've never had a vaginal problem in over 20 years, I'll keep opted out.

Spittykityy · 28/10/2023 15:45

Le Ssnges, that's you. You don't care about financial incentives, fine. Other women, myself included, find it abhorrent we are bullied into this test. We pay for the NHS through our tax and NI. You have your damn smear tests. I won't have "mine"

Blueink · 28/10/2023 16:13

Can you tell them you want to opt out of the screening programme so they don’t keep reminding you if you don’t want to do it OP?

If you are considering having one in future, can you get a note put on not to ask you about it as the reception?

”Financial incentive” is a bit of a misnomer as they aren’t paid per test. Targets are set as a high percentage uptake which is unachievable for most GP anyway so a bit of a red herring.

Cervical cancer is mostly easy to prevent but difficult to treat, any real financial incentives would be in preventing complex painful treatments with poor outcomes.

Spittykityy · 28/10/2023 16:27

Yes, it's entirely possible to opt out of cervical screening. I did so in 2015. You don't have to give a reason, or attend an appointment to discuss it, although some practices try to say you must.
I informed my GP In writing, and they said they would inform the screening people and my name would be removed from the list of "eligible women". Surprise surprise they didn't, so I wrote directly to the screening people myself and sent it recorded delivery.
You can request a smear even if you have opted out, but this might restore you to the register and you might start getting "invitations" again
It's also worth knowing that you may still be harassed about smears after you have opted out. This is illegal under GDPR laws, as I had to point out to my practice. Hope this helps

Spittykityy · 28/10/2023 16:34

I'm also curious as to why it is, that some women find it acceptable to post things like, go for your smear, or grow up and go, or snowflake, though I accept that hasn't been said here. A lot of us have done our own research and have decided the risks of this test outweigh the benefits, and decline the test. That is every much our rights as it is yours if you choose to attend. I don't dream of poking fun or belittling those who do go. That's your choice. Just saying

lieselotte · 30/10/2023 09:11

LesSanges · 28/10/2023 13:40

A woman I’d known from school died earlier this year from cervical cancer. Late 30s. Two kids under five.

I absolutely could not give a microcosm of a tiny flying fuck if GPs get incentives or not for me having my smear test. All the better for them if they do.

Have your damn smear tests.

Why do you care about what other people do? I go for my smears, but I don't care what other people do. Their choice.

It doesn't affect you.

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