I'm a practice nurse and do between 1-5 smears daily.
It is absolutely a woman's choice as to whether or not she chooses to take part in the cervical screening programme. I would never persuade, bully, cajole or threaten a woman to have a smear.
However I do believe a woman should make the decision with as much information available to her as possible.
A smear test is NOT a test for cancer.
A smear test should not be done in a GP surgery if you have symptoms suggestive of cervical pathology such as bleeding between periods, bleeding after sex, unusual discharge, pain or pelvic discomfort - the woman should be referred to gynaecology where a smear may be done as part of a full assessment and investigations.
Using tampons and pads (or using a new type of tampon or pad) will not cause cervical changes. High-risk HPV is a significant factor in the development of abnormal cells. Not all smear samples are screened for HR-HPV, there are certain criteria that need to be met that would mean the lab test the cervical cells further for HPV.
A smear test only screens cells in and around the os of the cervix, it can't tell you anything about what is going on higher up in the cervix or inside the uterus, endometrium, ovaries or Fallopian tubes.
A woman who has never been sexually active is entitled to a smear should she wish, however her risk of cervical changes is considered low.
Some of the stories mentioned above horrify me, such as women being held down for a vaginal examination or smear, being threatened with removal from a GP list for choosing not to take part in cervical screening. They are utterly unacceptable.
If you choose not to take part in cervical screening you can ask your surgery for a form to sign asking to be removed from the call and recall list for screening, then they will stop inviting you and you won't receive repeated invitations. You can opt back in at any time.