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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:
Igloo79 · 19/02/2022 17:24

That was a very Vimes-y response. I love it.

Theluggage15 · 19/02/2022 17:25

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk guidelines.

lapasion · 19/02/2022 17:26

Missed one because my period came unexpectedly. Tried to rebook but can’t even get through to my GP surgery. It just has a recorded message saying they’re busy and come back later. Have tried over and over. Can’t book my DD’s vaccinations either and the online system never has appointments. Am getting constant reminder letters of both and it’s very frustrating. I may have to take a morning off work and queue up outside to speak to them, although I’m not even sure they’ll let me in without an appointment.

StrawberryTartington · 19/02/2022 17:26

I always went for mine, no problem, just a bit uncomfortable as I have a tilted cervix which makes it slightly more difficult. Then about 9 years ago the nurse doing my smear implied it was hard to reach because I was overweight. She was very rough, like she was annoyed with me, and it was so painful. She also cut me and I bled, because of this, the sample was contaminated so I was recalled and had to go through the whole thing again, with the same nurse.

It was an experience I didn't want to repeat, so I put it off for about 2-3 years, which led to other anxieties. I've booked an appointment for my next one in April, I will go, but I dread going now.

EmmaH2022 · 19/02/2022 17:27

[quote crosstalk]@EmmaH2022

Bowel cancer screening is hardly intrusive. You dip a stick into your faeces, put it in a container and post it off for testing. At a time of your own choosing and in your own home.

You only get to colonoscopy if you are already reporting symptoms which is a red alert to your GP.[/quote]
I didn't say it was intrusive, I said "imagine having a colonoscopy with no symptoms".

That is becoming routine screening for men in the US,
I hear?

Fridafever · 19/02/2022 17:28

If that's all you're thinking, you need to learn to read better. You condescending arse.

I think that about covers it.

mogsrus · 19/02/2022 17:28

Thank you so much but not bothered by replies

Fridafever · 19/02/2022 17:28

@mogsrus

Thank you so much but not bothered by replies
Yes we can tell that.
Iheartmysmart · 19/02/2022 17:29

I decline now because I hate people touching me at the best of times, the practice nurse at my GP surgery is a complete cow who seems to delight in hurting her patients and I find them excruciatingly painful. Oh and it’s impossible to make an appointment even if I wanted one as no bugger at the practice ever answers the phone.

PivotPivotPivottt · 19/02/2022 17:31

Because I'm terrified they will tell me I have cancer. I've put it off for years and I worry every day in case I have cervical cancer but still I don't go for my smear. Fucking idiot. If I do have it and I leave my children with no mother I only have myself to blame.

MarchCrocus · 19/02/2022 17:32

@SpaghettiArmsMurderer

It would've made for a more interesting and useful discussion had you not repeatedly insisted on regaling us with your lack of understanding despite women telling you how unhelpful you were being, but we are where we are.

And where we are is you only posting on this thread to criticise my posts, and not contributing anything. Do you have any thoughts on the topic at hand that you would like to share?

And other posters, I really would like to hear about your risk assessment/cost-benefit analysis process. My own reasoning for getting it done has been a) I could end up being the one that does get it (which is what I referred to when I mentioned optimism bias - this is me recognising the risk of that particular cognitive bias) and b) the NHS presumably has a lot of data that means they know more about it and my risk than I do. Does anyone have any studies or anything that they recommend? I find smears painful but I'd happily have my fingernails pulled out one by one to avoid cancer treatment.

Yes.

My first thought is that the attitude taken by you and people who hold the same view as you is grossly unhelpful. Unfortunately, it always happens on these threads. Whenever women are talking about trauma, pain and the poor job that the screening programme does in alleviating these problems (as explained upthread, misogyny) there are always people who simply can't have that and feel it necessary to wade in. This is important because MN is reflective of wider society. The way in which women are treated when raising any of these issues is infantilising and sexist. Multiple posters have pointed out the way in which are are guilt tripped about this and men are not.

On the subject of screening itself, I don't think informed consent is possible for everyone in the current system and that's extremely concerning. The leaflets I've seen don't say anything about the risks of choosing to screen, of the likelihood of unnecessary treatment. When I raised the issue with my GP, she told me there are no risks to screening which is just plain untrue. Nor are women necessarily told exactly what the test is for, as this thread indicates.

Leonberger · 19/02/2022 17:33

For those who have horrible nurses or GPS try your local sexual health clinic.

They are like smear experts, in an out in a minute! Plus your totally anonymous.

YouCantBeSadHoldingACupcake · 19/02/2022 17:33

To be honest I don't really see the point. They only test for hpv, which you will catch from a sexual partner. I have been married for 13 years, together for 16 and neither of us has been unfaithful. So if I was going to catch it from dh I would have done so by now and it would have come up at a previous smear. That along with childcare issues means I haven't made it a priority and it is now a year late. I'm sure I will get around to it, but I'm not in a hurry.

MaggieMooh · 19/02/2022 17:35

It’s pointless attending now. They don’t screen you for cervical cancer. They just test you for HPV, and when you don’t have it they don’t screen you for cancer.

I don’t have HPV. I don’t have sex with anyone to catch HPV. Therefore they will never screen me for cervical cancer. So what’s the point of going for the test?

123usernamesilly · 19/02/2022 17:37

@grapewine

I actually had a doctor say that, mid appt, told me I was a silly woman and that my husband would leave me if I didn’t learn to lie quietly and put up with things . He was a gynaecologist mid examination . I’ve had fourteen apologies from the NHS for the way they treated me, but it doesn’t take any of it away.

This is inexcusable. What a horrible experience. I'm so sorry.

What? Wow I’ve heard everything now. Was it some kind of a stupid “joke” or was he actually serious? WAs it recently? I’d imagine he’d get fired for this?
RandomDent · 19/02/2022 17:37

@TyrannosaurusRegina

I suppose no one ever thinks that it'll be them. Cancer that is. It's an "I'll be fine" attitude.
Perhaps if you read the thread, you will get actual answers. Then you won’t need to suppose anything.
EmmaH2022 · 19/02/2022 17:38

Spaghetti in terms of fear of cancer, I can't suggest anything but I would think of it as trying to balance fears. I have an acquaintance with a type of cancer I'd never heard of till I met her. I just think anything could happen to any of us at any time.

In terms of alternatives to smears, some area are trialling self testing at home. You could ask your GP how to be part of that.

currahee · 19/02/2022 17:39

Because for me it's pointless while it's tested for HPV only, as I've only ever had sex with my DP and he's only ever had sex with me. I've had two previous negative tests and won't be taking another unless I have a new sexual partner.

My first test was completely painless, the second excruciating - not the speculum but the way she scraped with the tool. I understand the collection method has changed since my first, something about five clockwise turns? I was in pain and bleeding for days afterwards.

Rememberallball · 19/02/2022 17:39

@WonderfulYou

News flash: lack of smear does not = cancer

Not having smear tests greatly increases your risk of getting cancer.

Given they don’t actually look at the cervical cells unless they detect HPV it could be argued that not examining the smears they do do could also lead to cancer if you develop a non HPV related one.
girlmom21 · 19/02/2022 17:39

If they're only checking for HPV why don't they just tell us to get checked when we have new sexual partners?

Afraidofninja · 19/02/2022 17:39

As others have said, it can be an awful experience. You can get to a point in your life when it's incredibly painful - a couple of paracetamol before you go won't touch the sides. The last time I went the nurse was completely lacking in understanding, ignored my shrieks of pain and seemed to be deliberately rough. Maybe she thought I was putting it on, who knows? I put in a formal complaint to the practice manager and got a sort of apology. It won't help next time I get the letter, I honestly felt as if I'd been assaulted and was shaking when I left the surgery. I don't know how I'll go back.
Until this point I've always gone for them as soon as called.

bitemyarsenic · 19/02/2022 17:41

Some misconceptions on this thread.
Its high risk HPV that is tested for.
It can occur, resolve and reoccur/ be present in the cells of the cervix and in some cases be very persistent.
A negative test in a monogamous relationship does not mean you dont have it and are low risk thereafter.
Almost every woman I have treated for advanced cervical cancer had either no or few cervical smears.
In many cases it was actually picked up during examination which is why women are still called for an actual smear and visual inspection of the cervix as well.
It also means if they do have HR HPV the cell test can be done immediately without a second examination and smear.
There are other types of cervical cancer not related to HPV and although rare ,they can be aggressive.
Affects 11 women in 100,000 .
However I think for those who are distressed by or dont want internal examinations there should be the option of home HPV test , as long as they are well informed.
Surprised that metal speculums are being mentioned-have not used these for years.

dogmumma · 19/02/2022 17:42

Reading this has just settled my anxiousness towards cervical screenings and my severe dislike to them. Seeing so many other women sharing the same views/opinions as me has helped.
I also 100000% agree with one posters comment further up mentioning home testing kits for women to do at home. And I couldn't agree more! Having something so intrusive is, horrific and it's frequent.
If I could test at home, I absolutely would every two/three years.
They offer private home blood tests now?? Surly someone must be able to come up with a home kit for cervical screening. They could just be posted out to women whenever they were due a check up. They return via post and receive the results. In return, freeing up doctors/nurses, more accessible for everyone, no embarrassment, potentially a little discomfort, but I think we'd all agree the discomfort hits differently when you are in control of it. Not at the hands of someone else....
I've had one, I'm now due my second. And I have zero interest in wanting to go...

Confrontayshunme · 19/02/2022 17:42

I have had both HPV vaccines, my DH and I have only ever slept with each other, and the decade's worth that I had were all normal and no one in my family has ever had cervical cancer or abnormalities, so I have judged rightly that the risk to me is extremely low. I probably will have one every five years but my friend who is a GP said she would probably do the same in my situation and not have one every 1-2 years.

StaplesCorner · 19/02/2022 17:42

@MaggieMooh

It’s pointless attending now. They don’t screen you for cervical cancer. They just test you for HPV, and when you don’t have it they don’t screen you for cancer.

I don’t have HPV. I don’t have sex with anyone to catch HPV. Therefore they will never screen me for cervical cancer. So what’s the point of going for the test?

Is that right @MaggieMooh? I never knew that? So I haven't been active for over 18 years does that mean I don't need a test?

I missed the last smear due a year ago as I am very overweight and I understand (now) that its more difficult for an overweight woman to have a smear test. Also our practice nurse talks about everyone. I know because when I go in to get something else from her she slags off the last person in the room, every time. The other nurse seems very confused all the time; I was discussing a fairly common health condition with her and she was like "ooo no, really?!" (imagine it was something like getting an STI from a toilet seat and I was saying well no that's not right that's a myth and her being like "really?!" - that sort of level of "confusion").

But I am interested to see what @Leonberger suggests - didn't know you could do that.