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?

Just came back to say can I clarify that my laughing face (🤣) was not at people’s personal pain (I apologise for any offence caused) but at comparing the ridiculousness of labour that for me ended in a lot of pain and an emergency c section against the painless quick swab of my cervix that I have experienced multiple times (something similar to cleaning my ears out with a cotton bud yet but more intimate 🤪)

I was one of the people to be very upset by your smiling face so it means such a lot to have your explanation and apology. Thank you!! I am so sorry that you went through a traumatic birth and glad you find cervical smears painless. For me however the situation is totally reversed in that I have coped with serious gynaecology issues well, when others would need medication I have managed to cope without. But again in my case having a smear became the agonising medical emergency that needed emergency surgery and was life changing. I did not have a smear for over 20 years, although many were attempted, but when I talked to a lovely consultant when going through further gynae treatment, he suggested doing a smear under GA. And so that's what happens now. Thank you again for your words, unfortunately there are others who are far more unkind and aggressive than you, that have made me feel really ashamed of myself tonight and I have shed tears at some people's lack of compassion, as they have hit on my achilles heel.

I did a quick word count on this thread and there are 380 references to pain. I need to have one last one and I'm going to ask for local anaesthetic but I'm worried that I'll be dismissed (we don't do that here) or belittled (it's not that bad).

@coatofsomanycolours I don't think I explained clearly. I have had probably 6 smears in my life and I have also had the LLETZ procedure for CIN2/3 and I've had various invasive procedures down below (hysterosalpingogram / examination during miscarriage / ectopic) so I've had lots of gynae experiences and the smear is such a short procedure, albeit a painful one. It's over in a couple of minutes. I suffer cervical stimulation which causes me to pass out when i have a smear but again, its transient and over quickly. I'm just shocked that so many women find this short procedure intolerable to the point of refusal. Do the same women forgo sex, childbirth, STI screens and insertion of tampons etc? Had I not been screened and had my abnormal cells removed 7 years ago, I dread to think what I would be going through now. That someone could refuse a short test which would identify and treat cervical cancer is baffling to me, even if it is painful

@paisley256

I feel a bit daft asking this but does anyone know how they gauge what size equipment they use?

Whenever I've had a smear they put it in and try for ages to take a swab, only to take it out and say it's no good they need the bigger/smaller size before starting again.

It hurts and I've never really understood how they work out the size. Thanks

I've never thought about this but she did ask if all my births had been vaginal during my phone consultation which I thought was a bit weird as not really relevant but maybe it was to gauge whether or not I'd be ok with the regular size speculum

@thingymaboob

I am absolutely shocked by the majority of these posts. I simply cannot believe that so many people would risk not knowing whether they have a cancer because of a couple of minutes of embarrassment and discomfort. You know cancer is quite painful, too and cause a lot more discomfort than a smear:

Because it is not little discomfort and embarrassment but real pain and humiliation. I for one cannot understand the complete lack of empathy in women towards other women with regard to female issues we all know and should be able to understand.

No wonder in my experience so many female health practitioners are unkind, belittling and harsh. I used to believe it was only the male ones as they couldn't relate to the female experience, but I think the overall male oriented way of thinking in healthcare is rubbing of on the women.

And yes, I am one of those who bins the smear invites.

I’m genuinely curious here, as to WHY WHY WHY there is so much emphasis on. A test for a cancer we have less than 1% chance of getting? And an awful test at that when self testing has been available for years? Stroke and heart disease kill more women than this rare cancer, do we ask each other if we attend appointments about this? Do we ask each other if we have been to the dentist/ opticians and breathe each other if negative reply? Do we chase men to get bowel screening? Why do some of you feel it’s acceptable to berate women who choose not to have this test? To tell abuse survivors to get counselling and then go? For a test for a cancer that kills 690 women a year out of 30 million women. My vagina my decision. Your vagina your decision

@thingymaboob

I am absolutely shocked by the majority of these posts. I simply cannot believe that so many people would risk not knowing whether they have a cancer because of a couple of minutes of embarrassment and discomfort. You know cancer is quite painful, too and cause a lot more discomfort than a smear:

I am absolutely shocked by the lack of reading comprehension and empathy shown by some posters on this thread.

Screening carries its own risks. Risk of pain, fear, humiliation, flashbacks, and over-treatment for cell changes that would never have gone on to develop into cancer. Anyone who dismisses these risks is ignorant as well as having no empathy.

All women have agency and can make their own informed risk assessment based on the above factors. The screening programme should educate not coerce.

You have made your own risk assessment and no-one here is trying to persuade you otherwise.

@Willowkins

I did a quick word count on this thread and there are 380 references to pain. I need to have one last one and I'm going to ask for local anaesthetic but I'm worried that I'll be dismissed (we don't do that here) or belittled (it's not that bad).

I don't think they will do that. Women can't often get LAs for hysteroscopy (for several reasons including ones of medical risk) so I can't see a practice nurse doing this.

PPs have mentioned GA, which seems a bit extreme, but if you're higher risk that may be an option. Or maybe going private.

Like @JollyAndBright , I know that I don't have HPV so there's no point having smear tests any more.

I always did go..they struggled to find my cervix but it was ok. Then in 2014 as I was becoming perimenpaisal I had an incredibly painful experience. It was awful, she tried 4 or 5 times and couldn't do it. I left in tears. A couple of years later I had to go to a gynae clinic at the hospital about a fibroid and while I was there they strapped me into stirrups and did the smear test..They were very good at it and very quick but it was still painful. I haven't been since. I've just been put on vagifem for vaginal atrophy and the Dr said they will try to get a smear done for me.when it has kicked in. I'm full of dread but also really worried about not having had one for so long

I never missed a smear so went for my routine one on time. The nurse carrying out the smear asked the Dr to see me immediately as she was so concerned by what she could see.

I didn't have cervical cancer but did have a rare cancer caused by an underlying gynae condition.. Treatment is much more invasive than a smear. I do wonder if people on here who don't have a smear would choose to decline treatment if they did develop a gynae cancer. Sadly, whilst in hospital I saw this scenario.

Please try to go. It really did save my life. I know my case was rare, but somone has to be that one.

Why do so many women on here not see that smears are unnecessary for as long as cells are not actually tested?

I have been pre-cancerous without HPV and they don't bother checking my cells even now. A virus doesn't stay in just one area; there will be other ways to test for HPV.

I've always had mine, never delayed or missed. Unfortunately since I had my baby there's a lot of scar tissue, I went for it and they were physically unable to complete it. Two different speculums couldn't open the scar tissue far enough to reach the cervix
They suggested I come back but I'll be delaying a while after the agony and humiliation for sure even though I know how important it is

@KattyR786

I’m genuinely curious here, as to WHY WHY WHY there is so much emphasis on. A test for a cancer we have less than 1% chance of getting? And an awful test at that when self testing has been available for years? Stroke and heart disease kill more women than this rare cancer, do we ask each other if we attend appointments about this? Do we ask each other if we have been to the dentist/ opticians and breathe each other if negative reply? Do we chase men to get bowel screening? Why do some of you feel it’s acceptable to berate women who choose not to have this test? To tell abuse survivors to get counselling and then go? For a test for a cancer that kills 690 women a year out of 30 million women. My vagina my decision. Your vagina your decision

690 women die of a disease that is largely completely preventable not to mention those who survive but have gruelling treatment and loss of their fertility,side effects and change in body image. The vast majority are in women who have either never had or who miss smear tests. Its gut wrenchingly awful seeing the distress of a women who says if only I had gone, why didnt I ?

Sadly those who suffer CSA are at even higher risk due to sexual abuse at a young age when the body is maturing.
I include young girls who have underage sex in this, they are not able to give consent.
There is a still proportion of young women in their early 20s with cervical cancer and I dont think the issues they have suffered are being addressed.
Its swept under the carpet.
Everyone should have agency and autonomy over their own bodies, whatever their age/ sex.
This is the unspoken horror of this disease, the abuse they have suffered is still affecting them throughout their lives and prevents screening being accessed.
I really hope that the vaccine plus less invasive screening means this disease is eradicated in the future.

I find it staggering that women are agreeing to this under GA.

GA is a risk in its own right. I think its abhorrent that they make women feel its that crucial they go through that.

The fact that no non invasive test is available in the uk smacks of how women's health is regarded.

It doesn't matter the trauma and pain. Just guilt them (then deny there is an issue with emotional blackmail). Then say i cant believe the responses of women here, what they say is invalid BECAUSE THEY MIGHT DIE.

As someone has just put, 'Stroke and heart disease kill more women than this rare cancer'. Given my family history, im much more worried about that. Is it taken seriously. Is it fuck.

It does feel its more about control and coercion of women rather than giving a shit about them.

There are still some very ignorant posters commenting so I will lay this out clearly for them -
It's perfectly possible to go through life inserting tampons, having sex, having children and having smear tests without massive discomfort.
Later in life, for a significant number of women, they get hit by vaginal atrophy. It is a destroyer of sex lives, a cause of infection and can make a procedure like a smear test unbearably painful. Until you experience it yourselves in later life (let's hope you don't eh?) you won't know how it feels, but for some it's on a similar scale to childbirth. Who would be dismissive of that sort of pain being suddenly forced on them?

@Afraidofninja....true. A lot of women in later life get hit with gynae cancers which are incredibly painful and life threatening too.

@Pegasushaswings

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

Me too unfortunately.

[quote Katya213]@Afraidofninja....true. A lot of women in later life get hit with gynae cancers which are incredibly painful and life threatening too.[/quote]
Is is a lot of women or an u lucky few?

But, BiteMy Arsenic, breast cancer kills far more women than cervical cancer, and we don’t have continuous awareness campaigns and hysteria over that, and women who don’t attend mammograms ! And bowel cancer affects both men and women, ditto! Where are the posts and threads aimed at bullying men into screening? Or women for that matter?
A woman’s lifetime risk of cervical cancer is less than 1%! Be she a nun or ordinary Joanna Public!
Women are adults and can choose for themselves!
It’s so sad here, the women who have smears under anaesthesia, who use pessaries for vaginal atrophy, who dread smears but still force themselves to go, when there is a self test option that the NHS could roll out tomorrow if it wished! That Dutch and Finnish women have had access to for years and their CC rates and death are among the lowest in the world!
As to Ms Goody, she had adenocarcinoma, a rare and aggressive form of this cancer that affects mainly younger women and that the smear test rarely picks up, and she had her first abnormal cells removed at just 15 or 16 when we know the cervix is still maturing and can produce wildly abnormal results at one screening and reverse to normal by the next. This is why the screening age was raised. I always think Ms Goody was damaged so badly by possibly unnecessary treatments . My personal opinion.
To those who liken screening to getting their hair dyed… really? Some. Women might choose no smear and no hair dye. Their valid choices.
To those who say, why be embarrassed the nurse sees it every day, it’s not about the nurse it’s about the woman’s feelings!
I opted out in 2015 and haven’t had a smear in 22 years. My vagina my decision!

Do the same women forgo sex, childbirth, STI screens and insertion of tampons etc?

This is the same thinking that decides rape can't be that bad because women happily accept some penises in their vagina, therefore any penis in their vagina mustn't be that bad.

This is in capitals because I really want you to imagine me screaming it at you: FUCK OFF.

Any woman has the absolute right to decide what, when, and in what circumstances, a foreign object is inserted into her vagina by another person.

Just THINK how many men could be saved too if we targeted them about bowel screening! Maybe we need more awareness campaigns over that? Maybe women have heard about smears and are aware of them, after all we have “invitations “ reminders yet more letters, phone calls, harassment about it if we see a GP for our bunions, countless awareness campaigns and countless threads such as this one, countless supposed celebs like Scarlett Moffat (who is she btw why is she famous?) maybe women are deciding they don’t want this test and that should be accepted. End of. Finito

@RedToothBrush

I find it staggering that women are agreeing to this under GA.

GA is a risk in its own right. I think its abhorrent that they make women feel its that crucial they go through that.

The fact that no non invasive test is available in the uk smacks of how women's health is regarded.

It doesn't matter the trauma and pain. Just guilt them (then deny there is an issue with emotional blackmail). Then say i cant believe the responses of women here, what they say is invalid BECAUSE THEY MIGHT DIE.

As someone has just put, 'Stroke and heart disease kill more women than this rare cancer'. Given my family history, im much more worried about that. Is it taken seriously. Is it fuck.

It does feel its more about control and coercion of women rather than giving a shit about them.

Well, quite. Any opportunity to hector and berate and zero compassion.

I am actually appalled at the amount of women on this thread who have suffered poor treatment by HCPs. I am also, after reading the thread, baffled by how anyone could think that women refuse due to embarrassment. Pain, trauma, the experience of being patronised to the hilt, no, that has nothing to do with it. It's the stupid silly women's stupid vanity.

I am grateful for the knowledge of home tests. I will be doing that as I will be more able to obtain that than a GP appointment.

@thingymaboob

I am absolutely shocked by the majority of these posts. I simply cannot believe that so many people would risk not knowing whether they have a cancer because of a couple of minutes of embarrassment and discomfort. You know cancer is quite painful, too and cause a lot more discomfort than a smear:

Did you read the thread? All those women saying why they wont/can't have it?

RTB wrote
I am sick of the way women are treated and the comparisons with all kinds of bullshit for a very invasive and often very traumatic procedure and who are then told in the most minimising of ways to 'stop being embarassed and go for a smear' because people in authority can not be arsed to actually listen to all the women here telling them the real reasons they haven't gone which are more like - its impossible to get an appointment, I'm treated appallingly, its dreadfully painful or I've had a past trauma so no I'm not going to put myself through that because the NHS can't work out another way to screen that suits them

And I agree, adding too that from previous years when I had a smear I coped, I managed, somehow I got through it. Then I had the worst smear of my life, it was sexual assault and more, not a fucking smear and I decided enough now. Then a bit later I discovered they only test the cells the take IF you are Hpv. So double fuck that shit. Not happening.

Regarding Vaginal Atrophy.
This is caused by lack of oestrogen during and after the menopause.
As stated it is extremely painful , debilitating and can cause severe and repetitive UTI.
Please dont suffer, its easily treatable with an oestrogen vaginal pessary( tiny like a tablet)or cream, which is so small in dose that its not absorbed by the body
I appreciate that many women get nowhere discussing this with their GP and it will shortly be available OTC.
Its yet another area where womens health concerns are either not discussed or dismissed.I was told by the Practice Nurse at my last smear that I could swap my vagifem for a "moisturiser" from Holland and Barrett.( Im a HCP!)
I told her firmly that my vagina needs oestrogen to remain healthy not a moisturiser.