When will I be allowed to refuse a smear test?

[nothankyou45]

I don’t want another smear test. I’ve said no. Lots. I’ve asked for it to be noted in the system.
And yet the reminders keep coming. In the post. To my phone in the form of text messages. I don’t know how else to say no. The surgery have recently created a form that I can fill out that will opt me out until the next recall. But not permanently. There is no way to say “no thank you” and just get on with my life.
Everyone seems to think if only I “truly” understood I’d say yes:

-Do I want to speak to a doctor about it?
I have. And I watched him note to not contact me further in my file.

-But it’s really important?
I get that. But unfortunately it’s not something I am able to do.

-But have you tried therapy?
Yes, CBT and EMDR

-Oh what about meds?
Tried to diazepam. Sorry that didn’t work either.

-Ok fine. Don’t do it but you’ll get cancer and end up needing treatment that’s worse than a simple test.
Right. Thanks

-If nothing else- think of your children! They need their mother!
As above, right. Thanks.

-Surely whatever has happened in your life can’t be that bad? I mean no one likes a smear but we just get on with it? … What happened?
What happened to being 45, reviewing the options, saying no and having it respected?

When do I get bodily autonomy? When will saying no be enough?
Or do I just need to continually fight the PTSD that each reminder brings? Will I one day be so worn down that I finally say yes? Is that how consent works now?

I just ignore the reminders.
Just delete and ignore.

I've refused since they have stopped looking at the cells, instead they just test for HPV.

My doctors now offer a self administration test (you swab yourself and they test it for HPV) this has stopped the letters.

You can. You can sign a disclaimer that will remove you from the NHS screening programme.
Have you done this ?.. ( NHS worker in screening )....

Just ignore the reminders, its really not difficult and it's not like you get hundreds.

I get that it's annoying that they keep sending them, despite you asking them not to, but you are within your rights to refuse to have one, just don;t make an appointment!

I just ignore them.

Wow I’m shocked that this would happen. Have you made a formal complaint?

Just ignore the reminders, its really not difficult and it's not like you get hundreds

I got hounded, texts, letters being told I have to speak to a doctor. So I did and the doctor wasn't aware that samples are no longer looked at, they only look if you have HPV.

As the chance of me having HPV is remote I refused to have the smear. Recently they have allowed self testing for HPV.

I just ignore the reminders but I agree with you, there should be an easier way to opt out and not the judgement laden ‘disclaimer’ option.

I never thought I’d write this here but is this really your biggest problem? That you keep getting reminders for something you don’t want?
If you feel traumatised even hearing from them then fair enough. But if you’re simply feeling disrespected then you might want to take a look at the current state of the NHS and why this might not be anyone’s top priority.
No one is on top of their admin and that includes doctors, unfortunately.

Just ignore / delete. The NHS cannot possibly tailor to ever individual. They are just trying to save lives at the end of the day

Been married 47 years never been unfaithful, haven't had sex for 17 years anyway after his prostate operation so I don't bother any more. My surgery never send reminders though. I get reminders for mammogram

@WittyMotherhoodRelatedPun just a guess, a random pluck in the air, but I'd suggest the reference to PTSD might just suggest that it is bit more than preference.

Anyway there is costs involved with sending reminders, what a waste if they aren't going to have a smear, it shouldn't be difficult to opt out.

I have to agree with this. They can't go on an individual basis for nationwide screening programmes. You're not being forced to have a smear, you're being invited to have one. Just ignore

Ignore the reminders.

I am in the same position, and my surgery actually indicated on the last letter that I would be removed from them if I did not go. Which enraged me, it should be optional and the constant letters are frustrating

I started binning the letters since (a) they started only testing for HPV and (b) a nurse showed me my full smear history, which showed I’d never had HPV. So she told me I wasn’t at risk of cervical cancer.

My history noted precisely nowhere, and so she didn’t know about, the CIN3 I had removed.

I see a female consultant at the hospital and they use a lifting chair and I have a nurse with me for moral support. It's totally different to the gps.

Sorry what to you mean your history wasn't noted?

When I got the letter inviting me to be screened I rang their number. They sent me a form, sent it back and received another letter in confirmation and acknowledgement of my wish. Never heard from them again.

I have a friend who’s a virgin and had a traumatic smear. Still won’t leave her alone. I think op is saying it’s the principle that her voice doesn’t matter, yes she can ignore them but it’s not the point.

What she was pointing at on her screen appeared to be just smear results, and nothing more. Which I guess I kind of get? Why include/give her access to my full history, when I’m just attending a smear. Probably a proportionate and appropriate data access. But we were chatting about it being HPV only, she showed me my history of negatives, she made an assumption. Which I guess is based on data. I assume I’m just a statistical minority.

I've ignored mine for years, and told GP in no uncertain terms I DON'T WANT A SMEAR. She still kept hounding at appointments I still kept saying no, eventually they sent a form to opt out, I signed it and haven't had a reminder since. It seems very inefficient that people keep getting sent paper and digital reminders when they don't want a smear, yet try and get a referral for something you do want like for Asd and you'll be actively discouraged/ ignored. I think maybe it's because there are financial incentives for the practice to perform smears. When the GP asks, by the way, do the broken record I .e .do you want to book a smear? No thank you I don't have them, repeat repeat repeat.

Funnily enough I had exactly the same experience. It’s extremely frustrating. But then I also have metastatic cancer (a different type) and was called in for a screening for that DURING my treatment after the cancer spread had been detected AT an earlier screening. If you follow me.

The system doesn’t work, everyone is stressed, overworked and underpaid, basically.

(edited to add: they booked me for a screening to detect cancer spread while I was being treated for cancer spread that they had, in fact, already detected)

Just because HPV has never been detected at a smear doesn't meant you've never had it. You could have had it and it be lying dormant at the time.
And not all cervical cancers are HPV related. Most are, but not at all.
The nurse sounds ill informed.
Practice nurse.

But don't you know women have silly lady brains sand can't be trusted to know their own bodies! Brrr silly you!