To Feel Outraged.

[IgamOgamJones]

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!

And by the way I still get smear reminders and I no longer have a cervix! I feed the recycling bin, put a reminder on Facebook to my friends to book theirs and count my blessings my amazing surgeon saved my life!

It’s strange, we don’t tell all of our friends to go and get brain scans for brain cancer. We don’t remind them about their blood pressure checks. Or regularly tell them to scrape their poop and send that off (even though there’s screening for that).

Why is that?

I don’t know @Writersblock2 why don’t you share your pearls of wisdom

I don’t have any, hence why I’m asking. I don’t do this, so I’m wondering why those more common health conditions and cancers aren’t worth reminding loved ones about.

My issues are that we as women are subjected to unnecessary and invasive testing/screening in a way which is completely different to the way men are. Why is this?

Is this a serious question?

Actually the NHS does remind people about blood pressure checks, men and women.

The NHS does, yes...

@Writersblock2 Good for you! 😒 However that doesn't mitigate that other people may want to get checked out. Is your solution that we scrap optional offers of certain cancer screening and more people die as a result of later diagnosis? Sounds like a crap plan to me.

Not at all. I’m merely suggesting a) women be given the proper stats to enable them to make informed personal decisions instead of being simply told they “must” do something with very little info, and b) women aren’t harassed and bullied by either doctors or other women (who are often well-intentioned but sometimes also ill-informed) when they make their own choices about their own bodies.

I’m failing to see why either of these things are bad.

Are smears that bad?? 😩 also does anyone know why they don't start them until 25?

Because cellular changes to the cervix are very common under that age, hence far more false positives will be found in women under that age (and on the flip, very few women under that age would get cervical cancer).

Bullied by doctors... yes those nasty bullies who save lives sorry I’m not on the same page as you on this at all..

Doctors never bully? Rightyo. They are just humans.

It’s okay that we aren’t on the same page.

@Writersblock2 The NHS-produced leaflets actually do offer a very nice explanation as to why cervical screening is advisable. Unlike a brain scan, there is no increased risk of other diseases associated with cervical screening and the disease it guards against is very insidious in the sense that, by the time symptoms present themselves, the required treatment is far more debilitating with a much lower survival rate.

There are plenty of issues in women's health where potentially detrimental choices are attempted to be made on the individual's behalf, this doesn't strike me as one of them.

@Writersblock2

you are a GP, yes? sorry my brain is confused by the replies you are getting!

The leaflets don’t give the full picture. They were actually forced to change a little some years back because they were even more biased.

There’s a massive risk of unnecessary treatment due to cervical screening. Including the potential loss of ability to carry an infant to term.

All of the stuff I’ve said is searchable. Dr Angela Raffle is a great starting point for anyone interested.

I do find it strange how utterly defensive some women get over this issue - why does another woman choosing not to screen impact your decision to the point you get angry about it and call her names?

Interesting psychology going on here.

Anyway, I’m off for the night. Goodnight, all.

I’m not a GP, no. Not sure where you got that from? I’ve just had a lot of medical treatment in my lifetime - I make it a point to research any of my potential treatment.

Regardless it's a standard optional testing within an average age range - 20yrs ago I had a smear (they asked), as part of a pregnancy examination when I was 18. I was underage to be eligible for testing in my county, 4 trainee nurses observed (with my full consent), the results came back as "abnormal", due to pregnancy hormones levels ( pre informed they would). I was still happy to go along with it. My body, my choice, nurses learning exercise, still get regular (uncomfortable) smears because I put my health above my irritation about owning a womb and looking after it.

@Writersblock2 - sorry I confused you with someone who sent me a PM on this subject ages ago.

yes, I find having a lot of medical treatments makes you find out a whole bunch of stuff - often once you are actually IN the hospital!

It’s strange, we don’t tell all of our friends to go and get brain scans for brain cancer.

Well if a friend of mine got a letter asking her to go for a brain scan, I'd certainly encourage them to go, because I'd assume that statistically, the NHS had worked out it might help them catch a problem early. A bit like the reasoning behind smear tests.

I’m not entirely sure why you are posting this. Cervical screening has saved 1000’s of lives.
If you really don’t want to be screened pop the letters in the bin and stop ranting about something that could potentially save your life.
Ever had a dear one die of cervical cancer ? I’m guessing no. You do what you want love but I think it’s inappropriate to bark on about rights and cervixes when you are talking out of your arse.

Yes, a GP ran after me through the waiting room.

Not sure why anyone would think I'd make that up? At the time I was sobbing as the repeated refusal to take no for an answer had triggered my PTSD. Had he bothered to read my notes he'd have known why a smear would be psychologically and perhaps even physiologically impossible for me. Ironically it was an appointment about my Mental health.

@Wrirersblock2 - so you have actually undertaken other medical treatments offered to you? That's great! You were offered treatment and declined or accepted it as you saw fit.... Exactly the same as a smear.

I have all my well woman visits and this year I was diagnosed with two different types of cancer - uterine and ovarian. I did have a Pap smear 3 months earlier with normal cells. However, I do believe it is important to have yearly screenings and to try to have a relationship with your gyn. Here is my PSA: any vaginal bleeding post menopausally MUST be checked. My bleeding was scant, the size of a nickel. Don’t put it on the back burner. 7/17/18 will be my one year cancerversary. I just had a Pap smear of the vagina since all the organs are gone. 18 sessions of chemo were no fun. Be smart. Base your decision on your history and genetics. I am very lucky. Many women aren’t.

Thoughts out to you marylou1977 stay well and strong