To think oh just piss off...

[KatnissMellark]

With your patronising reminders to get a fucking smear test, you self righteous bores.

I do by the way, because I have to have an in date one for other medical procedures to be carried out. But I have concerns regarding false positives and unnecessary stress and procedures. And I am so bored of so many people with what appears an absolute lack of critical thinking self righteously reminding others to go for them on social media. Are you the fucking smear police? Have you read the science or are you just on the bandwagon

On balance I'd probably still have one, even if I didnt HAVE to. But the lecturing just annoys me.

People jumping on the bandwagon is always irritating, but as a PP said, if it saves one life then it’s worth a moment of annoyance. I admit, I do share reminders about smear tests on FB because 3 of my close friends are still alive because of having them.

Yabu. Just ignore it along with attention seeking or like fishing or fund raising. I know someone with cancer identified at smear who posted on twitter to raise awareness and judging from the response they got a lot of people forget to go rather then don't want too.

If social media winds you up, defriend or avoid. It's better for you. I hate the incessant 'share or you are horrible' posts, so i know avoid those people. Much nicer.

I was really hesitant about getting my first smear until I heard other women talking about it. They talked me through what happened and I went and I had something sinister turn up in my swab which has now thankfully been resolved.

YABU. It literally saves lives. I couldn't give a single fuck if it annoys you and I hope nobody else does either.

Choosing to engage with the screening programme is a personal choice. I don’t like how many women who have made a reasoned decision not to participate are treated as if they’re idiots. I also don’t like the narrative that smears are always quick and painless that usually goes with this sort of post.

YABU. The adverts are not to target people who have them. They are trying to get to the people who don't. Not you. Just ignore.

You are being incredibly U. I lost a dear friend to cervical cancer. She left a small child.

Anything that can be done to remind/encourage people to go for a smear is a good thing.

YAB COMPLETELY U!
Self righteous bores?!

No. Personally I don't need reminding to take a smear test: I've lost too many loved ones to cancer ever to want to play Russian roulette with those chances.

If others want to post reminders too it doesn't remotely bother me.

It’s not a bloody bandwagon. It’s saving women’s lives.

@purple well of course your an idiot if you don't get it!!

I’m not an idiot. My personal risk of cervical cancer is so low that the risk of overtreating abnormalities that would return to normal anyway is much higher. That’s my reasonable decision.

Look at the work of Dr Margaret McCartney.

I also don’t like the narrative that smears are always quick and painless

Fully agree. I often find them painful (not just a bit uncomfortable), and I have found the skill level of the people carrying them out variable. I think instead of suggesting women are just too lazy or ignorant or disorganised or embarrassed to show up, they need to be a bit more honest about why women who cheerfully go to the dentist or get a bikini wax baulk at a smear test.

The advertisements are to encourage woman who are a scared / uncomfortable with the thought of a smear test. This post strikes me as trolling. I don't post often but this thread has struck a nerve! I'm under 30, and know several woman affected by cervical cancer.

U ok hun?

Totally totally unreasonable
It is a massive health problem and if one person gets a smear test because of someone 'lecturing' them then so be it
You need to bore off

I like women trying to look after other women. It's what we should do for each other. Like when you've got lunch stuck in your teeth, or a label sticking out, or you've bottled going for your smear.

People are dying so clearly everyone hasn't been harried into going yet.

This post strikes me as trolling.

Because the op has a different view to you?

Actually this just reminded me that I need one. Thanks!

Hate them too . I am years late attending mine and dr always mentions it when I’m in the surgery . It’s just not that easy for some people when they have experienced trauma like rape . The one I had about 6 years ago triggered my mental health to deteriorate and an increase in ptsd flashbacks

@PurpleDaisies trolling possibly the wrong term, but it's wound me up big time.

@Tawdrylocalbrouhaha exactly

A smear might not be quick and it might not be painless. But it's a lot less so than cervical cancer if left too late.

Respect to you OP for reconsidering your position.... I get what you mean by feeling lectured at by people who don’t understand an issue and seem to be parroting.... but ‘Jane from the Co-op’ (that came across as pretty sneering btw) may in fact be a cervical cancer survivor herself, or have lost her sister age 25, or perhaps she actually has a PhD in a related biomedical discipline and is doing evening shifts at the local Co-op to fit around family commitments.... her social media PSA isn’t doing any harm, but women not getting smear tests is.

I have had an abnormal smear picked up on and I now have a condition which was picked up on during a regular smear. It’s called linchen scoliosis and it has some pretty crappy side effects. Without going for regular smears I’d have been in constant pain and unbearable itch happening which was passed off as thrush by the way. My family members have had pre cancerous cells picked up as well so nope, I will bore everyone to tears to get checked and if they get the hump then so be it

Check your boobs, have a smear test these are healthy things to be reminded of.

People are more than capable of curating their own social media feeds though. Delete or unfollow Jane from the Co Op if you don’t like what she posts.