Cervical screening campaign

[GrimSisters]

This popped up on FB and everyone seems to be thinking he's oh so wonderful for having dreamed up this ad campaign. AIBU to think it's gross, or am i just a massive prude?

From 'Man Behaving Dadly'
"A little while ago, I was asked to come up with ideas for a social media campaign led by GP practices in Suffolk to try and encourage local women to not ignore their letters inviting them for a smear test.

I pitched the slogan ‘Use Your Head, And Spread,’ which I didn’t think they would go for as it’s about as close to the mark as I have ever gone, but incredibly they went for it as part of their new campaign - Uncomfortable, Awkward, Lifesaving.

I know that it’s going to upset or offend some people, but surely if it gets people booking their smear tests then the job’s a good’un?"

@GrimSisters

Although it looks like that weapons grade dickhead has clearly been itching to use his 'hilarious' slogan for nearly a year and they finally seem to have run with it....briefly.

Yes he's vile! Faux sorry for using porn language to save lives.

Maybe if the tests were reliable and didn’t result in many incessantly procedures then more women would go. They need to admit how ridiculous the test is and overhaul the system.

*unnecessary

It’s awful. Smear bullying is a thing.

I hate how when you go to the GP for say a sore foot and suddenly you’re getting the smear lecture. Some GPs get stroppy when you refuse. Male GPs are the worst for it in my experience.

If I complained about my sore toe and a GP then lectured me about smear tests, they may need a refresher course as my cervix is not on my foot.

[quote LostIntrovert]@GrimSisters was it the Suffolk GP federation he claimed this was for? There was the advert promoted on his page plus a link claiming to be the Suffolk GP something but that disappeared when he pulled the advert from his page after women started explaining why he sounded like a rapist.[/quote]
I have been trying to work that out. From their newsletter they are setting up a cervical screening service within GP+

The advert seems to have been shared by an Essex FB group called Essex coronovirus action from a FB group called Uncomfortable, Awkward, Lifesaving which seems to have shut down.

There are so many primary care groups - commissioning groups, GPs coming together to share burden of premises, and other groups working together. It is hard to know what is what and what is legitamate.

It feels very male and aggressive

If it gets attention then it has raised awareness and done its job, I suppose.

If you're someone who does not wish to take up the offer of screening, I'm sure reminders are annoying. But part of the GP role is encouraging people to not smoke, drink limited amounts of alcohol, achieve and maintain a healthy weight, be active, participate in screening programmes relevant to their circumstances, take up available vaccinations, etc.

I think I could do better. 'face the fear, get that smear'

I think also this campaign is saying its inevitably going to be a horrible experience, while it is for some it isn't that bad for others.

@FortniteBoysMum

I think I could do better. 'face the fear, get that smear'

Is that the reason women aren’t going for smears? And if they are going because they’re afraid, do you think a poster like that would make any difference?

It reminds me of the breast cancer ones that are all ‘save the boobies’.

I’m more than just a collection of body parts. I don’t want an embarrassing and for some humiliating experience reduced to ‘spreading my legs’ for a nurse. How upsetting.

AWFUL slogan.

I'm not offended by it but it isn't likely to affect whether or not I turn up for a smear test.

If it was a urine test (which I'd not heard about) I would definitely take the test. Being in pain whilst the nurse practitioner waffles on about her gastric bypass and her weight doesn't do it for me.

This has male aggression all over it.

Why are men being asked to design these ads?

Surely women would be able to create much more successful campaigns.

Glad it’s pink.

It’s how we know it’s for us

The urine test sounds amazing.
I’m well overdue my smear. My last one was terrible, I just couldn’t face it again.

Urgh. I don't mind smear tests and always try to go on time, but that phrase is actually putting me off 😱 I definitely think it would put off first timers, it's like saying 'oh it definitely will be horrible, but just make yourself do it'

If you're someone who does not wish to take up the offer of screening, I'm sure reminders are annoying. But part of the GP role is encouraging people to not smoke, drink limited amounts of alcohol, achieve and maintain a healthy weight, be active, participate in screening programmes relevant to their circumstances, take up available vaccinations, etc

Just for those who need to know, you can opt out of smears altogether. Just ask at the surgery next time you are there.
I'm just about fine with my GP talking to me about smoking/drinking et al, even better would be if they stopped talking at me like a recalcitrant teen but fine can cope. But a smear is very invasive, often painful, very undignified and too often results in needing another weeks later because not enough material. All that said it can be got over I guess, but add in some sexual trauma and all bets are off.
If NHS is desperate for us to know we have cervical cancer then surely a better way would be the urine test. Stop spending millions on advertising when you could spend the same on non invasive tests.

I'm really curious how the urine test works. Do HPV cells live in the urethra? Surely they can't be testing anything from the cervix through urine- I can see on google that they seem to be very effective but can't get my head around how!

Im not really seeing the problem.

I don't get the big drama about a smear. It takes 5 minutes, isn't the most comfortable but it's over quickly. As for dignity, it's an examination by a health professional. It's not dignified to go on s night out with half your breasts on show but people do it. A medical examination to be is just a formality we have to go through.

@Marmitecrackers

Im not really seeing the problem.

I don't get the big drama about a smear. It takes 5 minutes, isn't the most comfortable but it's over quickly. As for dignity, it's an examination by a health professional. It's not dignified to go on s night out with half your breasts on show but people do it. A medical examination to be is just a formality we have to go through.

It's not a big problem for me, but it doesn't take a genius to realise one's own experience is not universal ; that people vary physically and/or have had different life experiences (such as sexual abuse or rape) that can make such an examination far more difficult than I find it or even impossible for them. I mean, duh .

It's not a big problem for me, but it doesn't take a genius to realise one's own experience is not universal hmm; that people vary physically and/or have had different life experiences (such as sexual abuse or rape) that can make such an examination far more difficult than I find it or even impossible for them. I mean, duh hmm.

Obviously. But the number of women in that situation is far smaller than the number not taking up screening.

Having a traumatic history goes without saying is different but the immature "I don't want someone looking at my vagina" response is ridiculous. Especially if they then expect the NHS to foot the bill for cancer treatment down the line or are prepared to leave behind a husband and children because they are embarrassed by a health professional doing their job.

I'm not embarrassed by the dentist seeing my teeth so why is a nurse seeing a vagina any different. It's just a bit of body. It's a social construct that "boobies and Willie's" make is higher. Look at the absurd way grown women behave at a hen party with penis cakes and the like. It's all part of the same problem.

*make us laugh,not higher

Opening your mouth so your dentist can see your teeth is hardly the same as opening your legs to a nurse! It's not just a bit of body.