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?

@tulips27

People talking about "inserting metallic things", are they not using disposable plastic speculums then? I have only ever had a smear privately and the speculum was plastic. I couldn't face the thought of them using a metal one that had been used on someone else on me.

Mine have always used plastic disposable ones and so have my friends and family.

Because doctors, nurse and admin staff have a life to and want to be with family at the weekends

So they can’t work a shift pattern then? Even my cat’s vet is open evenings and weekends with staff working shifts.

I don't avoid having mine but I have difficulty planning them around my irregular periods. I've had to cancel a few smear appointments due to coming on my period that morning. I have to have yearly smears. I think smears are important and they should be easier to book.

And men are guilt tripped about prostate cancer risk. There are regularly stalls with people accosting men about it in my local train station

Anyone can simply walk past a stall and ignore it, very easily. Men are not guilt tripped, DP was due his prostate exam 5 maybe 6 I think years ago and he hasn't had a single letter reminding him to go. Back when I did do smears I got several letters in a year until I'd actually had the damn smear then nothing for a couple years then almost drowned in letters again until the next smear done.

Hes even been to the GP for other stuff and not been hounded into booking for prostate exam. I couldn't visit the GP when I was due without either it being offered right there and then ( which actually was better, no fretting for weeks) or being ordered to book one on my way out.

So they can’t work a shift pattern then? Even my cat’s vet is open evenings and weekends with staff working shifts.

Depends on the staff. At my practise there are 2 nurses. We both have young families we need to be at home for. Shift work isnt an option. Its not like working in a hospital.

Because I am post menopausal, I havent had sex for 9 years, I cannot tolerate HRT, therefore the last one felt like i was being sandpapered on the inside. The nurse said 'oh dear, the tissues are so friable you're just bleeding on contact' I bled for 2 days and said never again, what will be will be.

I heard they now only check for HPV, don't actually look for changes to cells. In which case there is no point as I've only had one partner for the last 25 years and we haven't actually had sex more than about twice in the last decade

There needs to be more evening and weekend appointments as most people work mon-fri 9-5 so why not have more clinics outside of these times

You can argue the same for any appointment based service.

YOU CAN HAVE A SMEAR WHILST ON YOUR PERIOD

Just not heavily bleeding. Light bleeds are fine, so just at the start and towards the end. Ive done smears on women at the start/end of their periods and ive never had one sample rejected because of it.

I wish people WHO DONT WORK IN THE INDUSTRY wouldnt come on threads like this and quote things as fact, when quute frankly they have no idea.

Because time and time again the NHS/government has proven that they do not have my best interests at heart and I refuse to be coerced or bullied by their propaganda.

@Letsallscreamatthesistene

YOU CAN HAVE A SMEAR WHILST ON YOUR PERIOD

Just not heavily bleeding. Light bleeds are fine, so just at the start and towards the end. Ive done smears on women at the start/end of their periods and ive never had one sample rejected because of it.

I wish people WHO DONT WORK IN THE INDUSTRY wouldnt come on threads like this and quote things as fact, when quute frankly they have no idea.

There’s no need to shout…

My doctors surgery simply won’t do them if you’re on your period. Others on this thread are saying the same. Why is this so difficult for you to understand.

I do understand. Im not sure why you've decided to take such an aggressive, snippy tone with me.

Im responding to those stating as a fact that you cant. You can.

Im not commenting on your GP surgery's policy not doing them if they're on their period. I havent mentioned that once. Im not sure why you're confused.

Coming away from a failed Mirena coil insertion with the words 'if I'd pushed any harder I would have burst your uterus' and my cervix went into spasms and doctor couldn't get it out! I know I should but just a little scared!

Thank you @JollyAndBright I’m just too old then.

@Graphista

I’m arrogant because I gave my account of having a smear test?!

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?

Actually, I was more being harsh about people who play the Jade Goody card whenever this subject comes up. Her situation was completely different and she would have been much better placed in appealing to young women in her situation rather than shouting that everyone should have a smear test, because, all she did was had people banging on about lowering the age for routine testing which is pointless, costly and puts thousands of women through unnecessary testing.

If she really wanted younger women to not go through what she did, what she should have done was raised awareness of the types of symptoms young girls as women will experience. Instead she led people to believe it’s just all about the smear test. That’s not a judgement, it is a point of fact.

Because my skin was nipped with my 1st one then I could hardly breathe with panic during my 2nd. I've also experienced a miscarriage with complications that I just can't let anyone carry out any procedures near my vagina without flight or fight kicking in and I'm not going ti put myself through that trauma.

YOU CAN HAVE A SMEAR WHILST ON YOUR PERIOD

Just not heavily bleeding. Light bleeds are fine, so just at the start and towards the end.

MY PERIOD IS HEAVY BEGINNING TO END.

if you are working with women, you really should have a better understanding of the variances in women’s periods.

@Letsallscreamatthesistene

YOU CAN HAVE A SMEAR WHILST ON YOUR PERIOD

Just not heavily bleeding. Light bleeds are fine, so just at the start and towards the end. Ive done smears on women at the start/end of their periods and ive never had one sample rejected because of it.

I wish people WHO DONT WORK IN THE INDUSTRY wouldnt come on threads like this and quote things as fact, when quute frankly they have no idea.

Not if your GP surgery won’t perform it, though.

And as you have to book via the receptionist who takes all the details of your menstrual cycle and will refuse to book you in the window the NHS guidance states

It's best to book an appointment for a time when:

you're not having a period – also try to avoid the 2 days before or after you bleed (if you do not have periods, you can book any time)

Then you’re not going to chance turning up if you are unexpectedly bleeding - and indeed if you ring to inform they’ll certainly cancel.

So it’s no good it being hypothetically possible if you can’t access the service whilst bleeding.

I was HPV negative and had abnormal cells that went from a worry to CIN III within a month, had operations etc. and was meant to do my follow-up to see if things were back to normal. Imagine my astonishment when the letter came through to say I'm HPV negative and therefore they will not look at my cells, see you in 3 years.

So chances are, if I do develop cervical cancer they won't pick it up until it's already stage 2/3. Because "computer says no". So now I don't waste my time with smears.

We both have young families we need to be at home for. Shift work isnt an option. Its not like working in a hospital.

Plenty of people with young families work shifts.

@FourOclock

Mine is delayed. Main issue is childcare to be honest. I was due it while pregnant with my first, but was pregnant again straight after so that was another delay. Then it was lockdown. Then after lockdown eased, my children would not go to anyone and one is autistic so taking them to the appointment just wasn't appropriate. I am now in a position to book it and plan to asap. Nothing to do with embarrassment, just logistics.

@FourOclock just take them. I had a similar issue and told the receptionist this, who said “bring the kids, we’ll make sure it works, this test is too important!” And I was incredibly grateful.

So in the end I took my then 2yr5m old and her 12 week old sister with me. Of course, Sod’s law, the baby screamed like a demon and the toddler was running around like a lunatic. One receptionist took the baby out of the room and another sat on the other side of the curtain with my toddler with some toys. All going well until a few minutes in when toddler breaks loose, head round the curtain and- when she sees what’s being done to me- shouts at the GP doing the smear “stop hurting my mummy!” And launches herself at the doctor, smacking her quite hard on the arse in the process before the receptionist can restrain her.

I was so embarrassed but luckily everyone was very nice about it (we even had a good laugh in the end) and hey, at least I got my smear. So yeah, just take your kids with- it can’t be any worse than my story! 😂

I was reluctant before due to issues from a previous relationship that left me nervous of anyone I wasn't very close to going near me in that way. Even doctors sadly.

However I've just had to go through surgery and a lengthy stay in hospital which seems to have sorted the issue, so once I'm able to I'll get one booked. Kind of glad actually, I feel less anxious overall. Its helped somehow.

@Letsallscreamatthesistene maybe your surgery should try running more for the convenience of the patients than the convenience of the staff.

@BoredZelda

YOU CAN HAVE A SMEAR WHILST ON YOUR PERIOD

Just not heavily bleeding. Light bleeds are fine, so just at the start and towards the end.

MY PERIOD IS HEAVY BEGINNING TO END.

if you are working with women, you really should have a better understanding of the variances in women’s periods.

Er yeah. I understand not all periods are the same. Do you understand that not all periods are like yours? Im confused why youve assumed me saying that you can have a smear if bleeding lightly, means I dont understand womens periods vary? Its just not applicable to you.