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!

Interesting take on smear tests, written by a GP who has opted out of them herself.

www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/features/why-im-saying-no-to-a-smear-7577967.html

@LighthouseSouth what's your actual point? Women get better treatment and reminders and men don't. And you are actually complaining?

I just really hate them, and take responsibility for my decision.

So you will be paying for all your treatment if, god forbid, the worst happens?

That's taking full responsibility

@squiggleirl and every woman in Ireland deserves no less, I applaud your battl?

I think it is fine for the NHS to offer smear tests but if the individual doesn't want one they should accept that and not harass the individual to get one done.
My old surgery really nagged me to get one done.

You don't have to have the smear tests if you don't want them - I didn't and opted out of having mine during my late 30's (now in my 50's).

The reason they want to push this and make it dififcult to opt out is NOT becuase they worry you'll have cancer but because each GP practice gets money for 100% attendance at routine things like smear tests, vaccinations etc. If people opt out, they have to record a less than 100% figure and so receive less money and a mark against them for not reaching set targets.
I was told this by a family friend who runs a GP practice.

I wrote a letter to my local practice stating I wanted it on record and in my notes that I did not want to have smear tests in future and that I fully understood the consequences of this and the health risks I might be running etc., etc. That did the trick.

Good luck!

@kayakingmum asking for two calls, nagging? Or ensuring informed choice or safeguarding their position?

This bastards in the NHS trying to saves lives!

The letters are automatically generated and you'll have a very hard time stopping them

Totally agree - I had a hysterectomy 18 months ago, ovaries retained but uterus, fallopian tubes and cervix removed. Still got a reminder for my smear. I wasn't offended. Just called the GP and asked how they expected to smear something I didn't have...

But yes OP you are being unreasonable. No it's not pleasant but the alternative is far less pleasant.

Sadly many people say they don’t want tests, then when they get cancer they try to sue their doctor.

Many? Really? And is it so many that it’s more than the number who could be expected to sue because of misdiagnosis or all manner of other things that could happen if they did attend?

OP while I think deliberately opting out of smears is poor deciscion making, I very much think it is your deciscion to make. YANBU to think they are putting red tape in your way to try and coerce you. It’s very controlling of them. Not sure outrage is a proportionate response though.

YANBU and don't let people on here guilt trip you either. It's ridiculous that they try to guilt us into it in the first place. I actually want my smears done but I still find the attitude offputting.

Shortstuff08 what a stupid thing to say, are you going to personally pay for every woman's unnecessary procedures and mental health support for the aftermath of false diagnosis now that you've said that? Or do you not have to take financial responsiblity for your actions, only OP has to take financial responsibility for hers? How about we just have the NHS paying for NHS treatment, as we already do.

@Clubcuts

My point is that are women are aggressively targeted with regards to cervical screening and the op is understandably annoyed about it.

A "no" should be respected.

I still get the letters and I don't even have a cervix but it doesn't bother me I just recycle them.

I think it is fine for the NHS to offer smear tests but if the individual doesn't want one they should accept that and not harass the individual to get one done.

Why shouldn't the NHS nag people to get one? Lots of people don't get them for frankly silly reasons and it costs the NHS loads of money and more importantly ruins lives.

I too am deluged with letters for bowel tests, breast screenings and cervical smears. I took them up on the breast screening only last year, you are only meant to have them every 3 years, but I've had about 4 letters this year and it's 2 years till I'm next due one.
I return all the letters inviting me for other tests with a note to say I'm opting out but still they come.
I do appreciate the opportunity to be screened but with the NHS so stretched, resent the waste involved in all this unwanted paperwork.
Women have the right to opt out if they wish. I read the link by DR McCarthy explaining why she has opted out and tend to agree.

@LighthouseSouth the OP can't be seeded to do what's necessary to opt out! Read the post!

Seeded = arsed

Goady fucker thread?

Cervical cancer is connected to a virus that is initially contracted from another person. If Op has been clear all her life and is celibate she has every right to opt out of unpleasant and probably unnecessary screening. Screening is a CHOICE and is neither right nor wrong. Some posters need to get a grip.

Even if you opt out, you'll still get the letters. I know, cos I have and I do. I'm not stupid, I actually have read lots of the research and made an evidence-based decision that screening causes so much unnecessary treatment compared to lives saved that I do not wish to take up the offer. However, if I had concerning symptoms, I would immediately request a smear as an investigation, not a screen.

I am not alone as a medical professional in having made this choice. For instance, the well-known GP Dr Margaret McCartney does not have smears - her book 'The Patient Paradox' is a good one if you'd like to look at other ways that the 'worried well' are being targeted by the NHS at the expense of those genuinely needing it.

Grey Garden you really are an unpleasant piece of work

@Confusedbeetle and some need to be learn to read? The OP is complaining she has to make two calls? I mean that's not a big ask is it?

I think the minor discomfort,,if any,,of a cervical smear is a lot easier to put up with than the colposcopy, and treatment of having cervical cancer and worse still, a hysterectomy,,,I bet youd be complaining then,
But,,its your womb,,do what the hell you like

@Confusedbeetle I think @GreyGardens88 is entitled to her opinion! You're all pro CHOICE! But the NHS are not able to refuse to treat people who've intentionally refused cost saving and lifesaving treatment? They don't have a CHOICE!

And OP has disappeared, so she's stirred a hornets nest and gone away!