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

[chickentikkawhatswrong]

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?

I was due my smear in August 2021 but as I am pregnant, I was told to wait until I'm 3 months postpartum. That'll mean my screening is almost a year overdue. It makes me a bit nervous as I've had an abnormal smear in the past (have been having regular smear tests since I became eligible) and had to have a colposcopy. Thankfully it was just inflamapmarion due to HPV

@JohnnyMcGrathSaysFuckOff & @PinkSparklyPussyCat I don't think they just carry out the biopsy without informing you, but they may offer it & you'll be able to refuse same as any other procedure.

I forgot. Being supportive only means supporting women who 'have the correct behaviour'

as always

I delayed mine purely because I was scared. I had abnormal cells when I was 19 and have had quarterly, 6 monthly and annual smears for as long as I remembered. Then it stopped because I'd reached the end of my 10 year period where they kept an eye on me. I'd never given a second thought to booking an appointment and always did it as soon as my letter came through. As soon as I didn't have to have regular check ups I got nervous, which is ridiculous! I've always been a big advocate of getting your smear done and practically bullied my friends into making sure they made appointments, then I found myself putting it off.
I've recently suffered with a stinky of UTIs and had to go for swabs, the nurse pretty ouch cornered me into having my smear done at the same time. And I was relieved because it was done and I didn't have time to think about it.

Birth injury

Sorry, fat fingers...

... inflammation due to HPV and I've since had numerous 'normal' smear test results but I had to have 3 monthly then annual smears for 3 years following the abnormal result so I like to keep up with the tests. That said, I understand why they don't do them in pregnancy and have already put a reminder in my calendar to book my appointment for bang on 12 weeks post-birth.

@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.

Yes, attack my username. That says a lot more about you than it does me.

Where have I been attacking people? Please quote me if I have. I am waiting.

You are the one, now infamous on this thread, for comparing dying hair to having smear.

I've had a letter for my first smear im yet to book because I've just come back from being with my son in hospital 5 hours away from home for two months he's still quite poorly after a bmt and he comes first right now but I will get to it hopefully soon

Nuns, and women and people with a cervix in general, have a lifetime risk of 0.65% of developing cervical cancer. It is rare. It is not rampant. Latest figures seem to say 690 deaths per year when there are 30 million women/ ppl with a cervix/ who may or may not be nuns. Heart disease and stroke kill more women than cervical cancer. As many women/ ppl with a cervix who may or may not be nuns die in falls on stairs each year. Maybe we should have a be careful on concrete and be safe on stairs campaign and roll it out to save men and children of both sexes too since they use stairs as well.
I don’t attend smears as the risk is so low . If the NHS wants more to screen then it should stop wasting money on awareness campaigns and roll out self testing that can be done at home. Simples

Aw redtoothbrush you know I actually thought you were the same poster as xenobitch as you sound the same, on the attack. I was not telling other women or forcing them but just writing about how none of us enjoy it and trying to encourage other women to get it. I am not abusive or harsh but you come across just like xenobitch. Very passive aggressive and nit picking on anyone that you do not agree with. You need help with your anger issues as sound very unpleasant.
If you cannot comprehend what I said then no point trying to explain again to you. Call me nasty all you want as I know I am not like that and try to offer support but you do you and I will do me..You sound like a bully.

@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.

Sorry, it's a ridiculous comparison. I'm going to the hairdressers next week, she won't tell me to take my knickers off and shove something up me and cause me pain!

Despite what you think, not going because it hurts is a perfectly good reason not to have a smear. In fact, just mot wanting one is a perfectly good reason not to have any procedure.

Perhaps you should take your own advice and support other women.

Xenobitch I did not compare hair dye to a smear test, can you not read and comprehend. I said that women will take the time to have their roots or hair bleach every few months so they look good on the outside but will not look after their health, big difference so do not try to twist it as you sound so angry and just want to be right and sound like a bully. Not engaging with you anymore as no point as you would argue with yourself in a mirror just so you can be right.

@BOOTS52

Xenobitch I did not compare hair dye to a smear test, can you not read and comprehend. I said that women will take the time to have their roots or hair bleach every few months so they look good on the outside but will not look after their health, big difference so do not try to twist it as you sound so angry and just want to be right and sound like a bully. Not engaging with you anymore as no point as you would argue with yourself in a mirror just so you can be right.

Nobody has ever tried to put anything in my vagina when I’ve had my hair done.

[quote JenniferWooley]**@JohnnyMcGrathSaysFuckOff* & @PinkSparklyPussyCat* I don't think they just carry out the biopsy without informing you, but they may offer it & you'll be able to refuse same as any other procedure.[/quote]
No doubt you'll be hassled and bullied if you say no.

@BOOTS52

Xenobitch I did not compare hair dye to a smear test, can you not read and comprehend. I said that women will take the time to have their roots or hair bleach every few months so they look good on the outside but will not look after their health, big difference so do not try to twist it as you sound so angry and just want to be right and sound like a bully. Not engaging with you anymore as no point as you would argue with yourself in a mirror just so you can be right.

I was a mental health patient for years, and knew lots of women who looked amazing on the outside. Full make up, groomed hair... they looked healthy and well kept.. and I knew they were in absolute pieces on the inside. Awful self destructive behaviour, self harm, drug/alcohol abuse.

I assume you know the saying... 'Don't judge a book by it's cover'?
Well, it certainly applies here.

I have never had one done. It's an invasive procedure and I can only imagine how painful it would be. The idea itself makes me tense up.

It also gives me the feeling that my reproductive organs are seen as an engine and I get treated like a car that needs a periodical checkup. I know that's not rational, but for a long time these screenings were only done on women. Cervical for younger women and breasts as well for older women. I found the concept of periodically screenings women, but not men, dehumanising.

How do even know if you’ve had the HPV jab? I don’t know if I have had it and before anyone has a dig, my memory is shot after the last two years and the menopause so I genuinely don’t know!

Not had the screening since maybe 2015? Had a baby , moved location ,lockdown, rubbish surgery with horrible receptionists and a ‘womens health’ nurse who you can only speak to once a week on the phone.

BOOTS52 Genuinely, how can you read through this thread and come away with "women will not look after their health"?

Has it escaped you while reading that many of us experience fucking debilitating pain and bleed for days afterward - and that the sample often isn't even looked at?

Your comparison was shit. Own it and stop preaching about women supporting women when your post did the opposite. FTR, I do go. I have to get put under to have it done, but I go.

PTSD from birth trauma and being given fuck all help with it. It was nearly 10 years ago and should have got my act together about it apparently

I had mine regularly until Covid and then I couldn't bear the thought of having it whilst masked (sexual assault survivor) and also Covid for various reasons seems have brought back old trauma responses in general. No one seems to care much about this though.

I used to go for screening then I saw how badly DH's diagnosis and treatment went I lost all faith in medical practise.

They certainly don't do adverts for prostate exams with photos of crying children do they.

[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]
How dare you say it's not painful for someone else? It's not painful FOR YOU - great, lucky you, marvellous. Many other people find them extremely painful.

Yes grapevine I am the same, I bleed also and am in pain and have to wear pads for days after. But I do not want to leave it and not go and then find out I have cancer. I would take valium if I could get it before I go and am a wreck. Agree there should be special care in place for women who find it horrendous. I go to a wellwoman clinic as would not go to my awful male doctor. They are very good there and I do explain to them how I am feeling so they know. I also get them to use the smaller device.

Xenobitch I am sorry what you have been through and I really was not trying to do anything other than offer advise and do not wish to upset anyone on here. The 3 friends I know who do not have smears just do not go, no trauma, pain, nothing and we are close but they just choose not to go as in could not be bothered. Was not minimising anything that anyone has gone through and everyone has their own reasons and choice.