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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask why you’ve missed/delayed/declined cervical screening?

936 replies

chickentikkawhatswrong · 19/02/2022 13:56

I see a lot of the campaigns on Facebook about women not going to smears or putting them off for too long.

However it’s generally stats and doesn’t seem to delve too far into the actual reasons?

If you are reluctant what holds you back from attending?

OP posts:
lanthanum · 19/02/2022 15:59

I refused my first, with the approval of my doctor, as there were reasons why it was likely to be particularly painful. I had only been sexually active for a year or so, and neither I nor my partner had had any other partners, so the risks were pretty minimal at that point. Presumably for young women coming through now who are not sexually active, the HPV vaccine means the risk will be even lower.

MyBottleOfRibena · 19/02/2022 16:00

[quote 123usernamesilly]@DimplesToadfoot Jesus…
To all of you that said you had trauma (either birth or sexual abuse) - that’s understandable and I feel for you but you should get some counselling and get the test done.
To everyone else that says it’s painful - no it’s not. It is uncomfortable and embarrassing definitely and I hate it too but god it is so important for your health!
Same with mammogram- I get one every 2 years (I’m 37). It is not painful at all- it’s pretty much having a picture taken of your breasts. They are a little squeezed alright but how is it painful…[/quote]
You have no idea what other people find painful, or what conditions they may have that make a smear test painful

SpaghettiSquash · 19/02/2022 16:01

I had my first smear test when I was thirty and starting fertility investigations,. Twenty years later that remains the only smear test I've ever had.

I'm in a low risk category for cervical cancer and am comfortable with my decision to not have smear tests. However if I ever started to have any symptoms I would be happy to have one.

123usernamesilly · 19/02/2022 16:03

@MyBottleOfRibena ok thanks for that. I may not know what others find painful you’re right. But surely having a cancer/go through cancer treatment would be more painful than a 10 mins smear test?

namechange9862629 · 19/02/2022 16:04

@lanthanum

I refused my first, with the approval of my doctor, as there were reasons why it was likely to be particularly painful. I had only been sexually active for a year or so, and neither I nor my partner had had any other partners, so the risks were pretty minimal at that point. Presumably for young women coming through now who are not sexually active, the HPV vaccine means the risk will be even lower.
I was going to say, I’m fully HPV vaccinated, from age 17 back in 2008, and have never had sexual intercourse - or any sexual contact with another human being - anybody who’s had their hands there has had gloves on to be blunt - because of afore mentioned trauma I’ve no desire to have sex at all, surely my chances of having HPV are very slim indeed - thus making a smear pointless?
PurpleDaisies · 19/02/2022 16:05

[quote 123usernamesilly]@MyBottleOfRibena ok thanks for that. I may not know what others find painful you’re right. But surely having a cancer/go through cancer treatment would be more painful than a 10 mins smear test?[/quote]
Ffs how many times?
You are not guaranteed to get cancer because you missed a smear.
It is not one or the other.

JumpingPiglets · 19/02/2022 16:06

I didn't have a smear for a decade because when I went, the nurse told me I didn't need one and made me argue for it (I'm a lesbian) and then told me off for finding it painful. Stupid, maybe, but not half as fucking stupid as a health service that doesn't ensure consistency between its messaging about smears and the service offered on the ground.

SpaghettiArmsMurderer · 19/02/2022 16:07

Not sure what you mean @MarchCrocus. I read the thread, I agreed that it is painful and upsetting for many women. Smears still save the lives of women who are low risk. If the risk is 1 in a million, there is a woman who is that 1 and if she didn't get a smear then that would be very unfortunate.

concernedalot · 19/02/2022 16:08

I received my reminder through the post yesterday. Ugh.. one more thing to arrange. I may put it off for a month or so simply through the dread of it. Tested positive for HPV (with no abnormal cells) last time. I will go though, but i'm psyching myself up for it. They are painful and they have to use the winterton speculum to do it because i've got such a difficult cervix to find. Before now i've had to cancel because they didn't have this speculum in stock. There is only one older and more experienced nurse at the practice who manages to do it, when she retires (which is going to be soon), not sure what i'm going to do. I don't trust the other nurses to do it as they root around with smaller speculums thinking it will cause me less pain but as soon as they start cranking the damn thing open and rooting around i'm in agony. And don't get me wrong i'm brave! I've given birth naturally to a 10lb plus baby naturally before. Then you get the patronising comments about 'are you sexually active, maybe you should be more sexually active' or, 'would you like someone to come in and hold your hand' like i'm some sort of bloody wimp. No, I just want you to get on with it efficiently. The whole thing is just a nightmare tbh. I'm dreading it. People who say they don't find it painful are lucky and shouldn't be patronising others who have problems. And yes we all know how important it is. Wish there was a self test (which I had heard was in development), I think this would save so many lives

123usernamesilly · 19/02/2022 16:08

@PurpleDaisies you’re thankfully right. Of course it’s not or the other and hopefully 99% of women who don’t do it will be fine… but there are no guarantees so why not sacrifice 10 mins to go through not so pleasant experience so that you can reduce your chance of being Sick- even if it’s just minimal

Blossomtoes · 19/02/2022 16:08

for those who find it so painful this is a matter of finding a different clinic, different GP, or maybe a nurse that you already know

In my case I’d need to find a new vagina. Anyone know where I can get one?

Mint5 · 19/02/2022 16:09

Laney79 thank you for the link to article, interesting.

girlmom21 · 19/02/2022 16:09

I think the concerning thing in this thread is how many people simply can't get appointments.

RedToothBrush · 19/02/2022 16:09

Not too embarrassed.

Just dont want.

Relative risk is small, and risk of anxiety over screening is greater.

Just want to live life rather than worrying about something that probably will never be an issue.

There are other risks to me which are greater - both genetically and associated with my lifestyle.

I find the obsession with the idea that you MUST attend screening disturbing. I find the emotional blackmail around it appalling. I find the conflict of interest disturbing.

I don't want to be asked. I dont want one. I find it paternalistic bollocks.

No should be a complete sentence, yet somehow its not for this.

Its depressing in the extreme.

Apparently this isnt a valid view point.

Also screening is different to symptomatic tests.

grapewine · 19/02/2022 16:10

grapewine I had it done yesterday and was surprised to be asked if I had sex regularly (can't remember being asked that on previous occasions) but the nurse explained why it was a relevant question.

In my case, it was clearly because she didn't believe the level of pain I was in. It was so clear, ie. if I could have sex, I could manage this smear.

Now, as I mentioned upthread, they finally believe me, and I will have general anesthetic for the smear in the future. That way I won't be in excruciating pain or be asked those questions.

PurpleDaisies · 19/02/2022 16:10

[quote 123usernamesilly]@PurpleDaisies you’re thankfully right. Of course it’s not or the other and hopefully 99% of women who don’t do it will be fine… but there are no guarantees so why not sacrifice 10 mins to go through not so pleasant experience so that you can reduce your chance of being Sick- even if it’s just minimal[/quote]
Because it’s not just that. If abnormalities are found that would have just resolved themselves (lots do) you’re on a pathway to more smears and potentially treatment that you don’t need. My personal risk is so low that I’m completely comfortable opting out.

grapewine · 19/02/2022 16:11

@Blossomtoes

for those who find it so painful this is a matter of finding a different clinic, different GP, or maybe a nurse that you already know

In my case I’d need to find a new vagina. Anyone know where I can get one?

Quite.
Letsallscreamatthesistene · 19/02/2022 16:11

Its not correct that if you're not active sexually you wont get cervical cancer.

In the UK, even if you pay for a private smear its still tested at the same lab as all the others. They wont test your cells because you're a private patient.

FWIW im a nurse who does smears. There is a trial ongoing (in London?? Dont quote me) for self administered smears, then only HPV positive cases are sampled at the GP. I really think this is great and should be done everywhere. I think its a massively invasive thing to have done and im convinced if men had to have it done it would have been changed to self admin years ago.

Ive also delayed my smear due to time/access reasons. Ive got an appt this tuesday, but I was supposed to have one in December.

Blossomtoes · 19/02/2022 16:11

I entirely agree @RedToothBrush. I’m currently being plagued to be screened for bowel cancer. No, fuck off, if I get symptoms I’ll let you know.

Igloo79 · 19/02/2022 16:12

why not sacrifice 10 mins to go through not so pleasant experience

Because it’s not just a ‘10 minute, not so pleasant experience’ for so many of us. Women here have explained what it’s like for them, and you’re just dismissing it. Do you think they’re lying? Those of us who choose not to have this screening test aren’t stupid or ignorant, do you really think we haven’t carefully considered the risks?! FFS.

Silverswirl · 19/02/2022 16:12

Mine is 2 years late.
The reason is I find them excruciating agony. I’ve had a child vaginally with no pain relief and honestly I would almost rather go through that again given the choice.
I have Valium from the doctor but even then it’s so painful that I am muffling screams and crying during it. No way could I do it with a mask on.
I’ve had around 4 in my life and mostly they’ve been the same. Got the nurse to use the smallest spectrum etc.
I know I’ve got to go but it’s like going for torture for me. Just the thought and writing this is making me upset.
Really don’t know what to do about it.

HogDogKetchup · 19/02/2022 16:12

I missed one because i turned up having told the GP receptionist I’d just had an ectopic, told the nurse who didn’t put two and two together until my pants were down then the nurse said I couldn’t have it as I’d had a vagina exam too recently. Then I was pregnant again, now my cycle is all over the place so I don’t know when I’ll be able to have one.

Letsallscreamatthesistene · 19/02/2022 16:14

@Unsuremover

I got told they couldn’t find my cervix, I definitely brought it with me so we were at an impasse. But I don’t get the HPV thing either, why not just test for that and only invite positive people for smears? Also my mum moved practice and was amazed they used lube, so everyone at get previous practice is dealing with smears sans lube.
Your not supposed to use lube. You're taught that on the smear course. It can make the cells hard to assess.

(If they assess the cells that is. Its not a given anymore)

WonderfulYou · 19/02/2022 16:15

Remember OP many people refuse vaccinations for the same various reasons.

Greyrootszerohoots · 19/02/2022 16:15

Delayed after a very traumatic birth. It was due around the time if given birth but I couldn’t face it for 18 months and still had to explain to the nurse how I was feeling, in case I panicked.