“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.

Jade Goody is one of the most prominent cases and she fully admitted she put it off due to embarrassment and fear.

She already had an abnormal smear by then. She hadn’t been putting off a screening test. She needed treatment.

Some people on here are ignorant arses. It is estimated that 1 in 5 adult women have been subject to sexual assault. That is not an insignificant number.

I have smears but I have no right to berate 20% of women who may be traumatised.

But the traumatised ones are not the ones this ad are trying to convince!

Any ad is not going to reach everyone this one is for the ones embarrassed- Jade Goody was in denial and didn’t want more treatment as uncomfortable and couldn’t face it, she literally died!

Yes some have been abused, some it will be harder but that’s not what the ad is about. They need separate support from GPS and loved ones.

Bladder weakness doesn’t effect every older woman but the adverts are important for the ones it does affect!

My dad died when I was young I don’t get upset over every Father’s Day adverts as for the many it’s relevant.

In this day and age you can pause, skip or stream so miss adverts, even the ones that might save your life.

I am really invested in this ad my best friend may have died if she had put it off anymore.

Do people want adverts to take into account every single person/women’s life before advertising that’s basically impossible 🤷‍♀️

Yes, Jade didn't need a smear. She needed treatment. Smear tests are not for symptomatic people.

Yes Jade did, but the smears highlighted the problem, she didn’t take them, she died!

This adverts are trying to say don’t get to that point.

You know it sucks being a woman we have periods, we have to have tests, we have to get our bits out much more than men!

We get judged if don’t have kids it sucks BUT this is not the thing to get stressy about it’s a test to save lives! It’s a test many have protested needs to be much earlier in women’s life’s.

It’s also something a vaccine has been made for so potentially in the future will not be so required.

Right now for those without the jab suck it up and get tested (I cry every time byw) for the ones traumatised for over reasons speak to your GP and see what other ways are available it could save your life!

I read her book and if I remember rightly Jade Goody had been for a smear, had an abnormal result but then failed to attend colposcopy and follow ups. She then developed invasive carcinoma.

I’m a practice nurse. I carry out between 400 and 500 smears annually. I’ve been doing my job for 19 years. That’s a lot of smears.

In my experience most women I’ve seen (and I appreciate they are the ones who are attending, even if they’ve been putting it off for a long time) have avoided coming due to embarrassment, and fear/anxiety of the procedure.

I’m not overly keen on the language used in this advert - and for the record it’s not coming from the NHS.

I see lots of women who are fearful, nervous or embarrassed. I’d say 99 times out of 100 an open, honest conversation about what’s involved, acknowledging and discussing their worries and explaining the aims and the limitations of the smear test reassures the woman enough to have a smear.

I try and reassure them that I’m not bothered by hairy legs, overgrown bikini lines, flappy labia, unwashed vaginas etc but essentially it’s not about me and what I’m bothered by, it’s about them and what THEY’RE bothered by. Once I’ve addressed those concerns she’s usually much more relaxed and more open to having a smear taken.

However I emphasise they’re not compulsory. They’re offered as a screening tool and if she chooses not to have one that is entirely her choice and right. As long as she is making that decision with all the facts available to her, I have done my job.

It’s a test many have protested needs to be much earlier in women’s lives

That’s not what the medical evidence says. There’s a point where the risk of the screening test is more likely to do harm than good. That’s before the age of 25. Jade Goody’s case was tragic but very very unusual.

Everyone should know the symptoms of cervical cancer so they can see their GP if they start seeing those.

Its free.it takes less than 5mins. My last one i was just chatting away to the doctor, and before i knew it, it was all done.

Go. Don't go. Its everyone's personal choice, but what frustrates me is people won't go for this FREE, probably cheap test, but will expect full chemo etc if they get cervical cancer which costs the NHS a hell of a lot more.

Of fuck of with your judgemental fucking attitude to those that get cancer and want treatment. How fucking dare you! Your arrogance is astounding. I take it you and your loved ones only eat healthy food, aren’t overweight, don’t eat barbecue food, use household cleaners, have never had sunburn, don’t drink, don’t smoke and none of the other things that can increase your risk of cancer. If you do, I assume you’re not going to seek treatment if you get diagnosed with cancer?

@lazypuppy did you read any of the comments on here from women saying that for THEM the test does not take five minutes as it did for you, and it is painful? Not just a little but a lot. You may also want to note this before passing judgement. The experience of having a smear can vary a lot so next times you have to go it may well not be over before you know it whilst having a nice chat.

And quit with the ‘it’s free so be grateful’ thinking. If the NHS is free HMRC owe me the several thousand pounds back that they just told me I paid for it in my latest tax summary. Having an NHS is a choice for the nation. Arguably the best one but it doesn’t give it carte blanche to order people around and make NICE policy making infallible.

Might be worth mentioning, even people that have had the HPV vaccine still need to attend smear tests and screening. It's not a fail safe against cervical cancer.

Speaking of costs to the NHS, smear tests pick up a lot of issues that would never have developed into anything, yet the women with these issues go on to have expensive treatment. Sometimes they have complications because of it. I'd be rather careful of making a financial argument here if you're in favour of screening.

About 11 yrs ago I had my routine smear, results said cin1. Found out I was pregnant so advised to wait 12 weeks post partum for another smear. That one showed Cin 3 and I had to go for colp (Lletz) which cleared it.
Normal smears since up until 2 years ago when hpv was detected, but no abnormal cells detected, but I'm on yearly smears until it clears.
The test itself doesn't bother me, it's waiting for results that I hate due to health anxiety.
Don't put it off, it may save your life.

I hate them but not cos I'm prudish. I find them really uncomfortable and painful.
The best thing I ever did was tell the nurse this so she explained that some women feel them more than others and so is really gentle and patient when I have mine. I always go to her now.
I think it's not all about showing your fanjo.

@PositivelyPERF not going for a smear does not potentially cause cancer like all the things you listed. That's like comparing apples and pears. Also, just FYI, out of your list I have only done 2 of those.
Also, no need to swear 3 times in your first 3 sentences.

@lozster
lazypuppydid you read any of the comments on here from women saying that for THEM the test does not take five minutes as it did for you, and it is painful?

Pretty sure cancer and chemo will be more painful and take a lot longer than a smear would've.

So will treatment for changes that would've never developed into anything anyway.

Pretty sure cancer and chemo will be more painful and take a lot longer than a smear would've.

Yes, but it’s not that case that missing a smear means cancer. People need to look at the screening programme and make their own informed decision. I have opted out because my personal risk of cancer is so low.

I finally had my first at age 37. It was painful and embarrassing for me. I still get it done though because I recognise the importance of them. The slogan is horrible but well intentioned. Just have to scroll by.

I just had to have my smear repeated 3 times because they couldn't get a clear reading. Whilst I always go and don't get people that don't I also think in this day and age it should be easier and there should be an alternative. The PSA test for men is just a blood test and they don't have anything invasive done unless it shows a reading.

not going for a smear does not potentially cause cancer like all the things you listed. That's like comparing apples and pears.

You’re right, so how FUCKING dare you judge women that have cancer.

Also, just FYI, out of your list I have only done 2 of those.

So you do two things that can cause cancer, but feel you shouldn’t be judged on that, while judging women who get cancer through no fault of their own? You don’t think there’s any hypocrisy in that?

Ps If you don’t like swearing you’re on the wrong fucking site.

“Pretty sure cancer and chemo will be more painful and take a lot longer than a smear would've.”

Yes, but having chemotherapy once you actually have cancer is obviously in the interests of your health.

If you are in the 99.98% of women who would not have gone on to develop cervical cancer had you not participated in the screening programme, then putting yourself through a smear and any further investigation/treatment was still pain and time wasted that needn’t have been spent at all. Even if it only took 5 mins. Even if it was only uncomfortable rather than actually painful or traumatic.

It’s not a straight choice at all between having a smear or going on to develop cancer. Cervical cancer is not a common cancer with or without the screening programme.

Yes, it does save some lives but a great deal more women (and their future children) will be put at risk of physical and emotional harm in order to do so.

The PSA test for men is just a blood test and they don't have anything invasive done unless it shows a reading

The PSA test is also unreliable. A high reading can be for many different readings and then does lead to invasive tests, to investigate whether the elevation could be due to cancer or not.

It isn't a blood test to rule out or confirm cancer.

I thought that woman getting a smear live on tv was amazing earlier last week. And good on the nurse for actually showing that there are other more comfortable positions to use.

Jesus if it doesn't apply to you then scroll on past it. Not everyone is offended by everything as some on here seem to be. To some people it IS only embarrassment that stops them going. Some women are being silly (those that have full waxes but won't have a smear for example). It is absolutely individual choice whether to go or not but I'm pretty sure the treatment for cervical cancer is a whole lot worse than having a smear test. If there's another reason why someone doesn't go they should perhaps raise it with a hcp to see if their fears are justified. Not everyone will be able to cope with having the test. That's ok as long as they are making an informed decision for themselves.
The advertising clearly works anyway as we are all talking about it whether positive or negative.
And to the pp who wondered about Jade Goodie - I think the shock factor of seeing someone so young die was enough. You imply she went from happy and healthy to dying just to get more media coverage - who cares? She raised awareness. She probably saved many people.