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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:
bitemyarsenic · 19/02/2022 19:44

I’ve read that cervical cancer is unknown in nuns.
This is a myth and its also a myth that lesbians dont get HPV or cervical cancer.

girlmom21 · 19/02/2022 19:45

I know women who go to bleach their hair regularly at hairdressers and all sorts, but will not go for a smear test.

Unless they're bleaching their pubic hair I do not understand

mummymayhem18 · 19/02/2022 19:45

I haven't had one in just over 6 and half years. Also very overweight. But I don't go because since having my daughter I've found them mega painful like bring tears to my eyes,nearly hit the ceiling. I know they are really important and I'd like to have one but just can't bring myself to do it. Also I have a lot of pain down there anyway as I have painful bladder syndrome which can cause a lot of gynae pain. We all have our reasons. I pray I never get cancer though.

olympicsrock · 19/02/2022 19:47

I was 18 late getting mine ( did it this week after a Facebook post) . Busy life, working away, not prioritising myself . HCP so no excuse.

BrassicaBabe · 19/02/2022 19:49

I've read the whole thread now.

@bitemyarsenic thanks for your great additions to this thread. I'm going to stick to my home HPV tests (even if they cost me £50 Hmm). But thank you for your high quality input x

frogsbreath · 19/02/2022 19:50

My doctors no longer do this service. Many GP surgeries in my area don't. They don't do contraception other than pills either.

When I was told mine was due I was given option of a virgin care health clinic 5 miles from my house (awkward location requiring two buses to posh housing scheme) or one 10 miles from my house. Longer trip by bus obviously.

One clinic only did evening appointments for this and one had a 4 month waiting list for a daytime appointment. Then they cancelled it and rearranged with me for later (pre pandemic).

I waited. I took my kid to school breakfast club so I could get the bus on time to clinic.

A lot of women won't be able to travel so far, get arrangements for kids or around work and frankly think if it isn't that important to the GP then it isn't to them either.

JaneyJimplin · 19/02/2022 19:50

I see we are comparing sweeps.

Let me tell you, if you had a minor discomfort with a sweep: fab. But that is not to say they all are.

My sweep with my firstborn was a non event. I was ready to go, fully effaced and starting to dilate, barely felt anything - I've had rougher first dates. That can be compared to cleaning your ears with a cotton bud.

Baby 2 was very different. MW tried to do a sweep but noticed i wasn't effaced at all, so manually tried to pull my cervix forward (couldn't move it) and then perform a sweep on my closed cervix. If you think that sounds painless, I can assure you it wasn't. Bled for days after and in considerable pain.

Ereshkigalangcleg · 19/02/2022 19:50

Because it’s my body and my choice. “Embarrassment” is really not the right word for a desire not to have somebody inserting something into your vagina.

It's a shitty minimising if it.

bitemyarsenic · 19/02/2022 19:52

As I said above, the BMJ study concludes it it unlikely cervical cancer in someone as young as Jade would be detected in time by routine screening. Cervical cancer in someone that young is generally so aggressive, she could have had smear tests every year and it wouldn’t have mattered.

The information in the timeline above stated that Jade had abnormal cells treated on 3 occasions, therefore at the time she must have had screening before the age was raised.
It also states she ignored a 4th recall for abnormal cells and her cancer was probably present for 2 years prior to her diagnosis.
Horrendous.

PurpleDaisies · 19/02/2022 19:57

The information in the timeline above stated that Jade had abnormal cells treated on 3 occasions, therefore at the time she must have had screening before the age was raised.

No, she would have had symptoms investigate. It is highly unusual for fifteen year olds to already have had abnormal cells treated. She wouldn’t have been in the asymptomatic screening programme.

ShiroMiso · 19/02/2022 20:03

@Appin

I used to think smears were uncomfortable until one found cervical cancer. What I then went through in terms of treatment and investigations was beyond uncomfortable.
I'm so sorry to read this.

Were you having them every 3 years?

My dear friend has just had to have an invasive and painful procedure to remove cells and a biopsy. I think CIN3 was mentioned. Her smear was only delayed for around a year due to pregnancy and then having to wait a few months as per guidelines.

I hope you're ok now Flowers

MangoLipstick · 19/02/2022 20:08

I can’t remember the exact time frame, but I think my last smear was in 2015, I was due one In 2018 but with work, planning a wedding and getting pregnant, I didn’t end up forgetting about it and not booking one.
Flash forward 2020, I got a call from my gp saying there had been a cancellation and did I want to go in that day for one, so I did! Dd in tow. She was only about 9 months old and was crying as I was lying down whilst the nurse was doing her job. It was not the best experience but I’m so glad I went, it was such a relief to have got it done.

Dreamingof3 · 19/02/2022 20:08

Delayed twice for pregnancy and I'll admit I've delayed because it's painful for me due to endometriosis

Blueberry40 · 19/02/2022 20:11

I find smears trigger quite traumatic flashbacks and make me feel horrible and very down for days afterwards.

After the last one I decided that I didn’t want to put myself through them again and would accept the risk instead. It does concern me but I find them so distressing that I don’t really feel I have another option.

RedToothBrush · 19/02/2022 20:13

I know women who go to bleach their hair regularly at hairdressers and all sorts, but will not go for a smear test.

If you look up 'shit strawman argument' on the urban dictionary, this is what you will read.

SE13Mummy · 19/02/2022 20:15

Last time I had one was hugely delayed because when I turned up for the appointment, I was told it had been cancelled and I should have been contacted. I wasn't. Rescheduled only to have it cancelled on the day. Rescheduled again and my period started that morning so I cancelled. It was done eventually but my periods are irregular and I try to get appointments early evening or in the school holiday because I'm a teacher. Getting everything aligned is something of a palaver.

greyinganddecaying · 19/02/2022 20:16

@bitemyarsenic

So am I correct in thinking:

1- if you don't have HPV they won't test for abnormal cells. So if you know you're HPV negative there's no point in having a smear.

No high risk HPV can occur even after being dormant.
Not all cases are related to HR HPV
Rare but around 11 in 100,000

2 - most cervical cancer cases are picked up on symptoms rather than screening.
Advanced cancer is usually picked up on symptoms
This is a screening and prevention programme, to pick up HR HPV and cell changes years before they reach the cancer stage

3 - if you've not had sex since your last smear (that was HPV negative) then it's unlikely that you'll become HPV positive (and what's the reason for asking about sexual activity at a smear test?)
See above
possibly to ask if you need contraceptive/ STD screen

4 - you can't use lube for the smear test, so if you have vaginal atrophy then there's a decent chance it'll be more difficult/painful - there's no way around.
Vaginal atrophy is treated with Oestrogen cream or pessaries

So to follow on from this:
  • how/when does the nurses assessment of your cervix get factored into the recall process, if you can be recalled for negative HPV and dodgy looking cervix? Would they test cells despite negative HPV or would you be recalled for more tests?
  • I've never been offered contraception at a smear test so don't see any need to discuss my sex life (or even lack of) unless it has a direct bearing on the test
  • GPs often refuse to give vaginal estrogen alongside other HRT (even though menopause experts say it's fine), so although this may be the answer to treating vaginal atrophy, it's not always available & isn't a short term solution to improve the smear test experience.
-
BrickingIt44 · 19/02/2022 20:16

Never been sexually active so don't need to

Woahthehorsey · 19/02/2022 20:16

@Learningtofeminist

Because it’s my body and my choice. “Embarrassment” is really not the right word for a desire not to have somebody inserting something into your vagina.

(Also, as my husband is the only person I’m likely to have caught HPV from, I’m lower risk than average. But that aside: if they want to put something up me they’re going to have to get me unconscious first, and they’ve never offered to do that.)

You could ask for a hpv blood test.
mikeyboo · 19/02/2022 20:19

Here’s a link with the information you need to defer or withdraw from the screening programme, if you don’t want to receive reminders:

www.csas.nhs.uk/support/

Trinacham · 19/02/2022 20:20

Because I test for HPV with a self-test at home, so I don't need to attend a smear.

That's what they test for with smear tests now. If you test positive, only then do they study your cells.

nosyupnorth · 19/02/2022 20:20

It's impossible to get an appointment. Have to register with a GP first (no online system, still not taking in person registrations because covid) and then I know from other people they have hardly any appointments.

Plus it's well known to be painful and most of the nurses carrying out the procedure don't care if they hurt and will just make fun of you/tell you off for being a wimp. All to potentially diagnose a very small chance of cancer a fraction earlier than symptoms starting.

nosyupnorth · 19/02/2022 20:21

Sorry, just remembered - not even to check for cancer. Just an STD test with scaremongering because that's cheaper than the actual cancer checks - if you have the non-std cancer it won't even help you.

RedToothBrush · 19/02/2022 20:24

[quote mikeyboo]Here’s a link with the information you need to defer or withdraw from the screening programme, if you don’t want to receive reminders:

www.csas.nhs.uk/support/[/quote]
I don't believe you can opt out. My GP has said I can't long term.

I have been told i can only opt out for a max of 3 years before they will start spamming me again.

Tbh after the trauma of going through the argument with the gp over this again, and the ridiculous hoop jumping even for that, i cant face it.

I am now avoiding the doctor completely again (i already changed surgeries once over this and other reasons) in part because of this and in part because of covid and other gaslighting shit.

I just dont feel believed or respected.

BoredZelda · 19/02/2022 20:26

No, she would have had symptoms investigate. It is highly unusual for fifteen year olds to already have had abnormal cells treated. She wouldn’t have been in the asymptomatic screening programme.

This is what understood was the case. She missed screening that she was medically advised to have due her prior history. Then went on to lecture women about having routine screening that wouldn’t have saved her anyway. Her cancer was aggressive and spread quickly.