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!

You sound like one of those loonies who think doctors perform smears and digital rectal examinations because they're just so much FUN.

@LighthouseSouth I think the general consensus is don't have them but then NO WAY ASK FOR CANCER TREATMENT! You've voided that Avenue.

So would you sign agreement that no treatment to. E offered? No pay killers for end of life, nothing at all?

And as for "I don't like them!" Who bloody does??

Yes, you're overreacting. You are lucky to live in a country which can detect cervical cancer and save women's lives. How dare those receptionists waste your time with such unimportant matter?

@LighthouseSouth sorry pressed post too soon! No calling an ambulance o a hospice nothing, no NHS treatment at all ever because YOU opted out.

YABU. A lot of fuss about nothing. Bin the letters if you really don't care about your health.

BTW - don't the calls for mammograms start at 50?

@Writersblock2 interesting! Have you read @squiggleirl ms post? Seems to be in direct contrast to yours!

I know who I believe and it's not you!

Why would the NHS waste money?

I'm confused at people being angry that a GP practice gets targeted and paid for the % smears it completes.

It's part of the quality element of the NHS contract. It's how it works and how we fund nurses, GPs etc. There is an expectation that GP practices will promote this vital service.

However, if you don't want a smear, you simply opt out. A code goes on your record and does not impact the practice financially.

I don't know any practice that gets 100% or even expects to! Smears are unpopular. We still get funding if we don't hit 100%.

Just to blow your mind.... GP practices are targeted on Asthma reviews, diabetic reviews, flu vaccinations for people with chronic disease, childhood imms and the list goes on.

The NHS only provides the money if GP practices do the expected work

You sound like an arrogant old witch OP

Can you not disagree without being ageist and sexist?

Those saying if you opt out then you can’t have treatment are being ridiculous it’s no different to treating smokers with lung or heart disease or people who have ever had an alcoholic drink being refused treatment for anything liver related .

@BlancheM yeah I think that should be told to refusers! But because the NHS is inclusive it won't! But if it did would women attend smears? Yes probably.

Do you still want treatment if you get cervical cancer?

Outraged. Really.....

@Floralnomad but that's not the discussion we're having is it? We are talking about smear test refusers?

Go start another thread about that?

That is ridiculous, actually sinister Club. Going into very murky territory there.

AynRandTheObjectivist - what do you think of doctors who don't recommend smear tests?

I already said id sign for no treatment, I think it's insane to ask that of someone but I don't want cancer treatment. I think I said it twice, Painkillers sure but I can pay for those privately if it bothers you that much. Though previous experience suggests I can't take them anyway, as I also said here.

It's alarming how crazy people are about these issues, hence why I've been thinking maybe we just dump the NHS.

Would any of the "you must refuse treatment" people like to talk about the issues raised and figures on lack of effectiveness of screening? Or you just want to repeat how stupid you think they are?

, I actually had a smear a few weeks ago and the letter I got back clearly said we’ve tested it for HPV , it’s negative so we do no more tests , that may of course just be in my area (SE) .

I’m in the south east too. I had my smear a couple of months ago. The letter told me no abnormal cells had been detected in the sample. HPV wasn’t even mentioned.

@BlancheM that's what tons are saying don't ask for treatment? I'm ensuring that refusers know what treatment is.

But as I said the NHS is inclusive so it won't happen.

OP if you really don't want to go ask for an opt out form next time you are in your GP office.

I tend to err on the cautious side but as with most forms of screening its not true that screening is zero risk in itself. It certainly wouldn't be appropriate to vilify or withdraw treatment from someone who makes a considered decision to reject a particular form of screening.
However for each type you want to avoid at least check your own risk profile rather than the population risk profile before opting out.

It’s different to smoking. It’s not pleasant but it’s a way to catch a disease early to save both your life and the NHS money, time and trouble. If you don’t want the smear fine, but I think you are being selfish if you then want treatment should you get cervical cancer down the line. Because yo could have very easily prevented it or caught it early enough to reduce the treatment and the strain on alReady strained NHS funds,

Costa NHS less to give people smears than put you through intensive chemo etc because you had cancer and missed it due to not having a smear

Are you over reacting? Yes you are. If you don’t want the tests, either call the number and politely explain, or just bin the letter and ignore.

YABU. To me, your OP reads more like resentment of the use of a speculum on your body, than concern for your health. If you are still sexually active or even if you have been in past but are no longer, you need to get checked.

(Speaking as someone who was stage III at age 31, a cone biopsy at 32 and narrowly avoided hysterectomy... still alive 30+ years later, but it could have been very different...... ).

Costs*

@Clubcuts

If I fall over while I'm out running, would you refuse to pay to treat the injury?

You're starting to sound a little odd. What about survivors of sexual abuse, do you want them knocked out with anaesthetic for a smear test?

I ignore mine OP I still get letters and I’m 54. I’ve told them not to send them but they still do.
However, I do still have smears privately.
I know how you feel though. I had a few years of inadequate smears after the menopause and then just got sick of the whole process and kept away. Sense prevailed though and so now I have a private gynaecologist who I see and trust.
My mum died of cervical cancer when she was 73. She had never had a smear. It was a horrific time. Please consider keeping up your smears, even if it’s every 5 years and maybe go private. I hate it all too but the alternative is far worse x

But it costs time and money to carry out the screenings, whereas cervical cancer is very rare.
We really can't go down the road of denying women bodily autonomy, taking away their consent and forcing them to have smears :/