to decline cervical screening offer?

[Teacupsandtoast]

Just that really.

Is there a simple process for opting out or is there hoop jumping required? (Which often seems to be the case when it comes to withdrawing consent for anything)

I want to know why because the thread title invites me to make a judgment and that judgment depends on the reasons.

if op just wants admin help she shouldn’t take up time with a question that invites debate.

His argument is that comments from GPS like Margaret are making women less inclined to go to screening. He would see this as an issue for two reasons: one, screening programmes only work if a large number of the screening population attends, hence the coercion. And two, the nice little bonuses that have historically been handed out to GPs if enough of their patients attend.

Haven't read all the replies but presumably you won't be expecting NHS treatment if you do develop cervical cancer? But that would be a he'll of a lot more invasive and expensive than a 2 minute screening procedure.

The gynecological care seems to be disgrace in the UK. I am sure lots of women wouldnt find the smear test or the speculum painful and bad experience, if there were done at a gynae doctor's office like in other countries.

This. I will find the money somehow to have mine done privately next time. There's no way I will put myself through that again in the GPs surgery. We shouldn't have to pay privately though, the same options should be available to all women

What was the upshot of the article?
It dwindled into a paywall before it got to point of not having tests.

I went to mine and the healthcare professional tried to talk me out of it, saying there was limited benefit: not sexually active and vaccinated against the virus that they are testing for.

Congratulations, what do you want a sticker?

Did you get a letter with an appointment on? I usually just get a reminder to book mine with my GP, which if you wanted to you could just ignore I suppose? If you have a scheduled appointment just ring and cancel it, say you can't make it and don't rebook it. Don't just not turn up to the appointment though, as that's a missed appointment that someone else who wanted it could have. Surely your GP surgery could opt you out of letters?

Is there a reason you don't want one?

I am not ranting and raving. I am just questioning why there is a lot of opinion and vitriol about women who do not go for a cervical screening test, when the same level of unwanted opinions and vitriol does not apply for any other health screening.

Just saw a post that said you can get it privately for a test that goes beyond looking for HPV, so might look into that.

I’ve always been for cervical screening. It’s never comfortable but I’m papilloma negative and in a monogamous relationship of 25 years. My risk is exceedingly low so I won’t be having any more unless I discover DH has been unfaithful.
I haven’t been for breast screening. It’s about risk and reward. There is no history of breast cancer anywhere in my family. More women are treated unnecessarily than lives are saved. Some tumours are diagnosed which will not kill a person in their lifetime because they are slow growing, yet people are treated anyway. I’ve also seen someone who opted for radiotherapy after chemo for DCIS and it has wrecked her quality of life due to her lungs being affected. My personal choice is not to be screened.
I guess what I’m saying is that it’s all about choice, how we view risk and we have no right to be shocked or appalled because others don’t chose the same route.

won't be expecting NHS treatment if you do develop cervical cancer?

Just like all the fat people who would never accept bariatric surgery or Slimming World referrals, the smokers who don't expect treatment for lung cancer (or heart attacks), the drinkers who wouldn't dream of treatment for their worn out livers, the salt-lovers who would obviously forego kidney treatment due to their rampantly selfish behaviour, and anyone who is lazy about taking their medication correctly & therefore would never ask the NHS for anything related to what that medication treats. All the women who because they like a beer & some high fat foods would never seek treatment for breast cancer.

Yeah sure, just like everyone else who thinks that way.

I'm anxious for you 😔

Of course we don’t offer blankets. We don’t have laundering facilities (or the money to buy dozens and dozens of blankets)

Blankets in primary care were phased out years ago for infection control reasons.

I always lock the door though!

I hope you're more generous with the paper towel than my surgery @sidge! One sheet hardly covers anything!

“LikeAStar1994 · Today 19:59
To those who are asking the OP why she wants to opt out. Mind your own fucking business.”

she made it our business when choosing the title!

whatever next: “AIBU not to pay my VAT?” as a teaser for finding the de-registration form?

Whether you choose to be screened or not is entirely your choice. If you don't want to do it, there is no reason why you should.

My own experience suggests that if you don't respond to the letters, nothing happens.

(I have not responded to the letters for a different reason, btw - and when I rang to try to get an appointment, when my own medical condition meant that it would be feasible, I was told that they wouldn't be able to do it for several months due to Covid. This was a couple of weeks ago).

Why would you not want to go? I kept putting off going for one a few years ago. I know it's painful I have childhood trauma of sexual abuse. Which is even more reason to get checked out. It came back as being cin3 pre cancerous cells. I had to have a colposcopy and they did a biopsy to check for cancer. I was told I would get the results in 6 weeks.

6 turned into 11. They were the longest 11 weeks of my life. When it eventually came back clear I was so relieved. I never want to go through that again. A few minutes of discomfort to know everything down there is healthy is a small price to pay. By the time you start having symptoms you already have cancer. So smear tests are vital to catch it before those cells turn cancerous.

I don’t need them anymore as had a radical hysterectomy with cervix removal (for endometriosis). I haven’t bothered contacting the surgery, just let the reminder letter come and just ignore and don’t book an appointment… no bother really

BTW, I'm not going to be screened for breast cancer. I once had a mammogram because I had a problem with one of my breasts, and it was worse than childbirth. I have never, ever cried about a medical procedure, and I did about a mammogram. I have never experienced anything that painful, ever.

The nurse was horrible, and grabbed hold of my breast (bear in mind I am so flat chested that there isn't a bra to fit me). She finally managed to clamp my nipple in the scanner, as I don't have enough breast tissue to fit on it. That's when the tears came to my eyes. Imagine someone taking a pair of pliers and using them on your nipple, and that's what it was like. So no fucking way am I ever having a mammogram unless I positively need one.

You are being ridiculous-why wouldn’t you want to protect yourself

How to opt out of population screening programmes.

www.gov.uk/government/publications/opting-out-of-the-nhs-population-screening-programmes/opting-out-of-screening#cervical-screening

@Teacupsandtoast There should be a reply address and/ or phone number on your letter. You can request to be removed from any further screening. They may send a form for you to complete. You can do the same for breast and bowel screening if you wish.
If above doesn’t work you could sk your GP for firms to complete.

If you've never been sexually active, the risks may quite possibly outweigh the benefits.

I opted out for this reason and got myself vaccinated instead. My GP surgery agreed, and were very supportive of my choice, as opposed to the usual emotional blackmail that gets trotted out.

www.csas.nhs.uk/contact-us/screening-cease-info/

OP - I don’t know if you are aware of this link?