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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To Feel Outraged.

276 replies

IgamOgamJones · 07/07/2018 15:17

I received a letter from my doctor's surgery about cervical smears. I don't want one. I'm 50 and don't want any more, I've done what they said for my entire adult life re getting a cervical smear and I've had enough thank you NHS, no need to spend precious funds on that ok? NO, not ok. The letter says that if I do not wish to have these tests I am required to ring my doctor and then after that if I STILL don't want the bloody thing shoved up me and my cervix scraped then I am required to ring another bloody number! FFS! I don't want my cervix scraped any more and I don't want to listen to a well meaning doctor explain to me that I have no idea about my health so isn't it better to be safe rather than sorry...now, knickers off and open your legs so I can shove this thing up you AGAIN. Am I overreacting, I don't bloody think so!

OP posts:
Phosphorus · 07/07/2018 15:19

They just want you to actively confirm your opt-out.

It's perfectly standard.

Racecardriver · 07/07/2018 15:20

YABU. If you end up with cancer you are going to run straight back to the NHS for treatment. You really can't blame them for wanting to catch it early given that they will inevitably be blamed if you die because you caught it too late. I'd you don't want the smears just don't have them, no need to be outraged over the NHS trying to help you. It's not like they are charging you for these phone calls.

madcatladyforever · 07/07/2018 15:20

I hate them too and never have them as I'm late 50's and celibate but they are just trying to do theri job so just shove the letter in the bin, job done Smile

NotAsGreenAsCabbageLooking · 07/07/2018 15:21

You’re outraged that you have to make two phone calls to stop people caring about your wellbeing..?

Bit strange.

BertrandRussell · 07/07/2018 15:21

So you want to risk having undetected cervical cancer. Riiight.......

llangennith · 07/07/2018 15:22

I told my surgery I wasn’t having any more and that was that. No further letters or reminders.

Original poster
IgamOgamJones · 07/07/2018 15:22

The phone call I made when they sent me a reminder ages ago to tell them no thanks should've been enough.

OP posts:
Rulerruler · 07/07/2018 15:22

Just ignore the letters. You're making this a huge deal when it's really not. The letters are automatically generated and you'll have a very hard time stopping them - I say this as someone who used to work in cervical cancer screening. Even the doctors at our hospital used to say ignore them if you didn't need one (no cervix for example) as they are so difficult to stop.

FoodGloriousFud · 07/07/2018 15:22

You seem very passionately against something that saves lives. They're obviously trying to encourage more women to have smears. It's not exactly difficult or taxing to have done, couple of mins of discomfort to potential save a life.

Original poster
IgamOgamJones · 07/07/2018 15:24

I'm not passionately against them, I just don't want any more and have informed them of this already, months ago.

OP posts:
Awrite · 07/07/2018 15:24

Can't you just bin the letter?

They will do precisely nothing if you do that.

ChipsAndKetchup · 07/07/2018 15:24

If you opt out of smears then opt out of cancer treatment if you end up with it. Don't expect the NHS to suddenly save your life if it could have been prevented.

YABU. As are the posters encouraging you.

ohdearnotmyproblem · 07/07/2018 15:25

wow.

Cervical screening caught my early cell changes. And stopped me getting full blown cancer. Why would you opt out of that?

Oysterbabe · 07/07/2018 15:25

Yeah yabu to be outraged. Just throw the letter in the bin.

Original poster
IgamOgamJones · 07/07/2018 15:25

Rulerruler Thanks for that, I'll bin them from now on.

OP posts:
ConstantlyCold · 07/07/2018 15:26

totally unreasonable.

Pengggwn · 07/07/2018 15:26

You shouldn't have to say no more than once, I agree. Just ignore them.

MsHomeSlice · 07/07/2018 15:29

Simply from an admin pov I'd expect it to take a while for any cancellation request to take effect tbh...depending how often they print reminders and send them out so maybe that last one crossed with your request of no more?

BackToTheFuschia7 · 07/07/2018 15:29

YANBU. You’ve said no, you shouldn’t keep being pestered. It stinks of women not knowing their own minds and what’s good for them.

HollowTalk · 07/07/2018 15:30

But what would you do if you had cervical cancer, OP? Would you want treatment?

Plantlover · 07/07/2018 15:31

Mad cat lady

You don't need smears if you are celibate?

HollyBollyBooBoo · 07/07/2018 15:33

That's fine so long as you make it clear you won't require the NHS for treatment if you end up with cervical cancer.

Have a rethink eh?

Pengggwn · 07/07/2018 15:34

No, treatment for an illness is not contingent on consent to invasive testing, people. Get a grip.

mrsb06 · 07/07/2018 15:37

Out of interest, who do you expect to care for you if you end up with cancer?

I'm assuming you have he funds to go private?

Floralnomad · 07/07/2018 15:38

For all the people saying don’t expect treatment if you get cervical cancer , stop talking bollocks . All they test for now on the smear is the HPV virus , so if you are celibate or in a monogamous relationship there is very little point in having a smear anymore as if you are negative for the virus they don’t actually look for abnormal cells you have to wait until you get other symptoms before they will check you properly . Just ignore the letter / call OP and eventually they will leave you alone .