“Don’t be a diva it’s only a beaver”

[clairestandish]

Just seen this in big pink writing on FB picture being shared round from some sort of smear test campaign, followed by a ‘we’ve seen it all before! go for your smear’ bla bla bla

I keep seeing this kind of thing, lots of focus on the low figures of women attending cervical screening being down to ‘prudish’ women who are too embarrassed.

AIBU to feel annoyed that a lot of the campaigns take this slant? I really don’t think it’s the full reason women decline having cervical screening. Many women have been treated badly by medical staff during childbirth and have a lack of trust or find the process too daunting in light of that. Many women have a history of sexual abuse and can’t face it. I’m sure there are more reasons too and it would be useful to address all of them if we want to improve attendance of cervical screening.

I've been a full time working mother most of my life and still manage to make time for doctors and dentists appointments etc. It's all possible. It depends what your priorities are.

Congratulations. Would you like a little badge and a round of applause?

People’s circumstances are all different, including the availability of out of hours go appointments.

Brave, Villa! I'm so glad you know every single person in the world's circumstances so you can sneer at them because theirs might be different from yours and feel better about yourself by your superior adherence to priorities. Well done! If only we could all be as perfect as you are.

Is it really necessary to be so rude to other posters?

“ 2 minutes with a female nurse or your life?”

Having only a standard 2 minute smear with a female nurse will not save your life. It will not even benefit your health if you’re in the vast majority of women who have a normal result.

It’s the further rounds of biopsies and cutting and burning for those who’ve been identified as having pre-cancerous changes that may prevent you from going on to develop cervical cancer.

Why lie about what’s involved? Women aren’t idiots, and shouldn’t be treated as such.

the ‘beaver’ message is reductive, patronising and also suffers greatly for being a rhyming, Hallmark couplet.

for prostate campaigns i suggest:

don’t be a whinger - it’s only a finger

REAL men don’t let it affect ‘em - it’s only a rectum

or,

don’t be so glum, Noel - it’s only your bumhole

you’re welcome.

Why suddenly all the correlations between consensual sex and a medical exam? 'She couldn't keep her knickers on', 'no problem if they're on the receiving end of a dick though' WTF.

Well I do think that campaigns encouraging women to go for their smears are a good thing. But on the other hand I do see your point - I loathe the word ‘diva’, it’s really patronising with a heavily misogynistic undertone.

Another mystified North American here. We just get told by your doctor that you are booked in for a smear (and a mamo if you're older), as low key as if booking your vaccinations or fit tests.

Your healthcare system is very different to ours.

I have read a lot about how pelvic exams are the norm in USA fro girls and women, is that correct? And that the frequency suitability etc is questionable.

I have only had one when I went for a work-paid private appt.

I don't get this.

Some people are offended by "diva" yet liberally throw around "cunt" which plenty of women find offensive.

Some are saying women avoid screening through embarrassment, others say no, it's because it's painful or previous assault or trauma makes it too difficult.

Some say getting time off work is the problem. Others say make the time to go.

Isn't the point here that we are all different? This thread is proving that. We have different priorities. We have our own reasons for and against.

Some like this campaign. Some are completely against it. Some aren't bothered either way.

Surely the point is that it will reach some women and encourage them to go? And that's a good thing.

Having only a standard 2 minute smear with a female nurse will not save your life. It will not even benefit your health if you’re in the vast majority of women who have a normal result.

That's a bit misleading - it's there as a program to obtain the cells that then allow the screening to occur, but without that process taking place, early identification of issues becomes much less likely.

Of course the consequence of not having one isn't the same as you forfeiting your life. You're forfeiting an opportunity for early identification which for some women, may well prove to be a fatal decision.

Having it MAY save your life.

link well.blogs.nytimes.com/2016/06/28/pelvic-exams-may-not-prolong-life-a-task-force-says/

stirrups? woah

It's a VERY different system in USA to here, no point cpmparing

Don't be a prat - it is only a twat.

Don't go all funny- it is only a cunny

Show what you got - it is only a mott

Don't get all gruff - it is only a muff

Don't go in hairy - show off your Mary

None of these are great either but to me are better than being called a diva - which I equate with being a pain in the arse.

And it isn't a pain in the arse and I'm not usually a pain in the arse. But for me it is very painful and although I go, I do dread it.

And yes cromercrab I'd love to have a well woman check to get everything done at once.

itsinthebag.org.uk/ball-checking/why-check/

Here we are. A light hearted, jokey campaign aimed at men exWifebeginsat40

The cartoon style and jokey language could be considered by some as being patronising.

Personally, I think the aim, as in the diva/beaver campaign, is to try to normalise these tests and make them seem less like a medical procedure.

Hopefully it works for some people.

Bluelady - I'm pretty sure "having things shoved up their cunt" isn't a big issue when there's a man on the other end.

I'm sorry - are these your words or are you quoting?

There will be a lot more poking and prodding happening to you down below by multiple docs if you get cervical cancer. Go for smears everyone. Why turn down any type of screening that can save your life. Breast, cervical, bowel.... take whatever gets offered, the nhs wouldn't pay for it if it wasn't of any use.

The words in quotation marks are a quote.

I cant speak for the American system, I'm Canadian. We do the speculm poke and scrape pap, but not a regular full hand up there pelvic, unless you have call for it
There is always a female doctor, nurse or receptionist that will join your doctor while it's being done

Yes I am surprised at the liberal use of the word cunt on a thread about beaver being offensive

This makes me so mad. I'd rather be a diva than be unnecessarily tested like I was at 21 as I was never told the risks in my case were minuscule and still are so I don't have them done and the one I did have done was horrible.
To those who don't understand why some of us don't have them done,hmm, No,you never will. It's a choice and don't tell us off for exercising our right to do what we want with our bodies. My girl parts belong to me.
I've made an informed decision not just done as I was told like a good little woman.
Oh yes Jo's trust who didn't mention about Jade Goody that she had a rare form that wouldn't have been picked up by a smear anyway.
It is optional not compulsory.
All women need to read Dr Margaret McCarthy's blog on this subject and not just believe the supposed facts we're forced by the professionals.
'Beaver' belongs in a porn movie and tbe whole thing is patronising.
I'd rather be a diva than be unnecessarily tested.

Thing is Jade Goody's WAS picked up in a smear. She didn't get it treated. So she died. Don't let the facts get in the way of a good rant, though.

Yanbu. The HPV test is far more effective and less invasive. We stick with smears because its cheap.

I hate the words diva and beaver, but take no offence to it whatsoever. It will encourage some to go, and for those who dislike it it does at least remind you about the smear test

I'm not sure this is wholly correct - it's only really women under about 25 who have had the HIV vaccine. As I understand it, this needs to be given before a girl/woman is sexually active for it to be effective. Therefore most women over 25, and by default then the ones being called for smears, won't have had the vaccine and smear tests are the most effective option. Perhaps for the younger generation there may be merit to your argument though?