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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:
ShiroMiso · 19/02/2022 20:30

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.

Her 'lecturing' women was coming from a good place, of not wanting to see others go through what she had. There is no need to be so harsh and judgemental about a deceased young woman really is there?

I'm sure she wished every day post diagnosis that she'd missed that screening, even though it might not had saved her.

ShiroMiso · 19/02/2022 20:31

That she hadn't missed that screening, that should say.

Melroses · 19/02/2022 20:32

@bitemyarsenic

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.
It is a myth that nuns are virgins, not that cervical cancer is unknown. You don't have to be a virgin to be a nun.

Sexual abuse within the church has been ignored until recently.

kitkatsky · 19/02/2022 20:36

I think i usually put it off for a couple of months thinking a couple of months can't hurt, then it takes a bit longer to try and get a mid cycle appointment.

I put off my recent one for a few months because I'd had a baby 6 months previously and I still balked at the idea of being interfered with. I know my reasons are stupid and happily I've been lucky anyway

Benmac · 19/02/2022 20:36

I have never attended this or breat screening. I do not come under the at risk categories for either.
I have Asperger's and ADHD and the thought of attending any medical appointment freaks me out.

Kitkat151 · 19/02/2022 20:38

@123usernamesilly

Hey OP, I really don’t know why could anyone be reluctant? This is an amazing test to prevent very serious health issues and every girl/woman should be doing it at least every 2 years
Where do you live ? Not the U.K. I take it
PurpleDaisies · 19/02/2022 20:38

Jade Goody did not follow up when she had an abnormal smear result. She had worrying symptoms that needed investigation.

It’s wrong to suggest that missing routine smears was the big issue for her (from everything I’ve read)

needabreak5 · 19/02/2022 20:39

They only test it for HPV and if negative they don't check the sample. If DH and I have had no other previous sexual partners / I am HPV negative then is there really any point?

Staffy1 · 19/02/2022 20:41

@melroses, I would say the vast majority of nuns are virgins. It’s kind of required of them unless they were already not virgins before becoming nuns.

JohnnyMcGrathSaysFuckOff · 19/02/2022 20:42

Can someone just clarify, do they do biopsies at smears if yoù are 45+? Someone above implied so?

RegardingMary · 19/02/2022 20:42

Because currently the smear tests for HPV and only if that's detected do they test for abnormal cells.

A HPV test is pain free and self administered so I do one of those instead. You can get them from superdrug.

XenoBitch · 19/02/2022 20:44

[quote Staffy1]@melroses, I would say the vast majority of nuns are virgins. It’s kind of required of them unless they were already not virgins before becoming nuns.[/quote]
Well, now we need some solid statistics on how many nuns are virgins. I would bet serious money that a lot of them are not, and are women that became nuns in later life.

PurpleDaisies · 19/02/2022 20:45

@JohnnyMcGrathSaysFuckOff

Can someone just clarify, do they do biopsies at smears if yoù are 45+? Someone above implied so?
Not at routine asymptomatic screening appointments.
PinkSparklyPussyCat · 19/02/2022 20:45

@JohnnyMcGrathSaysFuckOff

Can someone just clarify, do they do biopsies at smears if yoù are 45+? Someone above implied so?
I saw that post. If so there is absolutely no way I'll be going, I am not having an unnecessary biopsy!

I'm presuming it's not in the UK though.

iloveyankeecandle · 19/02/2022 20:49

I got called for mine last year. I always go. However, when I was trying to book an appointment, the days and times weren't suitable for me. So I had to leave it a month before one came up. Some women may forget to try and book or just be constantly unavailable when they're appointments come up.

bitemyarsenic · 19/02/2022 20:49

@PurpleDaisies

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.

I meant in her early 20s -she would been carefully followed up.
110APiccadilly · 19/02/2022 20:49

Because I'm very low risk (have only slept with DH and he has only slept with me), and I understand conditional probability. I don't want unnecessary investigations and treatment.

JollyAndBright · 19/02/2022 20:54

@PenStation

For any HCPs in the know, why can’t women do a self administered test for HPV, send it to the lab in the post (like we have for COVID PCR tests), then for those of us who are positive, we are invited to make a smear appointment. It seems more logical. Does such a test not exist? Or is it not done due to cost? If such a test exists and would improve rates of testing it seems unethical to withhold it.
You can buy an at home hpv test from Superdrug. It’s easy, not at all painful and very accurate if done correctly.
mikeyboo · 19/02/2022 20:55

If someone decides to decline screening, either temporarily or permanently, programme and primary care staff must respect this decision

www.gov.uk/government/publications/cervical-screening-removing-women-from-routine-invitations/ceasing-and-deferring-women-from-the-nhs-cervical-screening-programme

If anyone (in England at least) has been told they can’t permanently opt out of receiving reminders, they’ve been lied to, and that’s a disgrace.

BOOTS52 · 19/02/2022 20:58

To xenobitch, well your name certainly lives up to your comments. I clearly stated that women will regularly go for hair appointments so they look good on the outside, why would they not go for smear tests so they are healthy, yes I realize not all women have children but why would you not want to know you do not have or have signs of developing cancer. I detest the smear test and am in a state for days before going and it is awful, I bleed after and it is so horrendous but I go as the benefits of going outweigh the discomfort. All your comments are attacking other posters so really what is your big anger issues. Yes everyone entitled to their opinion and I totally understand women who were abused and so sad to read their stories and how it brings back all the painful issues and really effects them, but not going just because it hurts is different. You can give your opinion without been so harsh and unfriendly. Women are meant to support each other not be bitchy.

JenniferWooley · 19/02/2022 20:58

@JohnnyMcGrathSaysFuckOff

Can someone just clarify, do they do biopsies at smears if yoù are 45+? Someone above implied so?

That was me. When I had my phone consultation for coil removal the doctor advised that they used to offer the biopsy routinely at 40 but it's changed to 45, she suggested that I could have the biopsy done as I am 43 & it made sense to do it while I was in.

@PinkSparklyPussyCat I am in the UK but Scotland so might be different as health is devolved.

Whattochoosenow · 19/02/2022 20:59

I posted this on another thread. My letter says only HPV positive smears will be examined for cancer. If I’ve been in a monogamous relationship for 25+ years and am HPV negative then do I actually need repeated smear tests?

PurpleDaisies · 19/02/2022 20:59

I clearly stated that women will regularly go for hair appointments so they look good on the outside, why would they not go for smear tests so they are healthy

Those things are not even slightly on the same level. Totally different.

RedToothBrush · 19/02/2022 21:00

@BOOTS52

To xenobitch, well your name certainly lives up to your comments. I clearly stated that women will regularly go for hair appointments so they look good on the outside, why would they not go for smear tests so they are healthy, yes I realize not all women have children but why would you not want to know you do not have or have signs of developing cancer. I detest the smear test and am in a state for days before going and it is awful, I bleed after and it is so horrendous but I go as the benefits of going outweigh the discomfort. All your comments are attacking other posters so really what is your big anger issues. Yes everyone entitled to their opinion and I totally understand women who were abused and so sad to read their stories and how it brings back all the painful issues and really effects them, but not going just because it hurts is different. You can give your opinion without been so harsh and unfriendly. Women are meant to support each other not be bitchy.
So why EXACTLY are you having a go at women who DON'T want a smear and then guilt them by saying 'well like like to go for their hair but the shallow cow bags dont want to look after their insides' as if its that simple and there is no such thing as trauma.

You most certainly are not being supportive. And that was pretty nasty to draw the comparison.

Plus its a straw man argument anyway.

grapewine · 19/02/2022 21:01

@Igloo79

There is no excuse not to go

Fuck off.

Exactly this.

And, seriously, PP, comparing it to getting hair bleached? This thread is so depressing.