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)

Yes. I’m invested in the health and well-being of women. That can’t happen if they aren’t given the truth. I support a woman’s right to choose — when she has the facts.

I am not in the least bit ashamed of this ‘investment’, as you are implying I should be.

No what is patronising is the 'I don't understand' attitude when many posters have explained their very valid reasons for declining. Nowhere did I say anyone had to agree with others so please don't make things up.

Also, why do I need pointing in the direction of any posts when I've had my smear?

I support a woman’s right to choose — when she has the facts.
Can't agree with you more @ShhDoNotTell

The scary thing is that the 'anti-smear' lot here so not appear to know the facts . They are coming at it from a highly emotional rather than science-based evidence.

They are banging on about over treatment, HPV not causing cancer in 'most women' and so on.

Cherry-picking some emotional sound bites rather than actually engaging with medical facts.

Also, why do I need pointing in the direction of any posts when I've had my smear?

Consider your 'advice' to other women- that might be a start.

The scary thing is that the 'anti-smear' lot here so not appear to know the facts . They are coming at it from a highly emotional rather than science-based evidence.

'Anti-smear lot'? Do you mean those who support a woman's right to choose what is done to her body and choose not to try to bully others?

Have you missed the parts where women say how painful it is? If I hadn't been lucky enough to be able to afford to go private I wouldn't have been going for another NHS smear.

Some posts here suggest that consultants are fools, that they put women through treatment unnecessarily, and without due consideration for the risks

I don't think anyone here has suggested that. I have massive respect for people working in the field. But that doesn't change the fact that there are risks around screening and these need to be weighed up by each woman, taking into account her individual risk factors.

FFS! I haven't given anyone any 'advice'! I've shared my experience, what am I supposed to do, keep quiet about it?

@tirednewmumm - sensible to keep getting hpv tests to be sure, as you can test negative for hpv but still have a latent hpv infection.

It is not fully understood how hpv infection works, but it does seem to be the case that it can “hide” and reactivate, rather than be cleared from the body, hence people getting cervical cancer, apparently out of the blue, decades into monogamous relationships.

It’s certainly bollocks that it always progresses slowly and surely - I had 10 years of smear test results swinging between CIN1 and normal, resulting in being recalled for smear tests every 6 months to a year over that time but never getting a colposcopy because the cells kept going back to normal, so my immune system clearly did something to keep fighting the infection over the space of 10 years, but never cleared it, as the abnormal cells kept reappearing after having disappeared, on a monotonously regular basis. Either that, or smear tests are so appallingly inaccurate that I had multiple smear tests over 10 years and half of them were wrongly reported as normal. After 10 years of fluctuating between normal and CIN1, my smear test result went from normal to CIN3 in the space of a year. After treatment, I then had normal smear test results for 10 years, so no more fluctuations, and hpv testing coming back as negative. Then I suddenly got an hpv positive result again, but normal smear, then hpv negative result again a year later. I’ve been in a monogamous relationship for 20 years.

Frankly, I have a lot of sympathy for people who find smear tests traumatic. Smear tests have certainly caused me a lot of stress over the years.

The scary thing is that the 'anti-smear' lot here so not appear to know the facts . They are coming at it from a highly emotional rather than science-based evidence

No one is "anti smear". I think you need to read through the thread and note which posters have made highly emotional statements about making wills and leaving children behind etc.

Why are some women so threatened by other women making different, informed choices?

Over-treatment issues or stating that most HPV will not turn into cervical cancer is not emotional, banging-on, or cherry picking. Your choice of words says a lot about your stance.

I don’t understand why anyone would choose to not have a smear test or when you’re older a mammogram or bowel cancer check- they save lives! BUT if you don’t want one, then opt out properly so that the NHS don’t waste money chasing you up!

Is the information provided by CRUK highly emotional rather than science-based evidence?

Cancer screening isn’t perfect. It has both possible benefits (pros) and risks (cons). That’s why it’s important to read the information that comes with your screening invitation.

The balance of pros and cons is different for each type of cancer screening. Understanding the possible benefits and risks of screening can help you decide whether you want to take part or not.

CRUK's words not mine.

Smear test threads always end in tears. See also - breast feeding v bottle feeding.

MN - women supporting women. 🙄

That's evidently the implication.

This. I'm from a country where you only do this at a gynecologist. It just boggles my mind why a gp is the holder of all referrals and the point of contact for absolutely everything. I was with my gynae from 18 till my first child.

Yep.

I’ve had cervical screening on nhs and privately and I’ve always been amazed that I hardly feel a thing when the private nurse does it, yet the nhs nurses make me hurt bleed and claim it’s normal.

OP I think if you write to your GP surgery declining the screening, they’re supposed to stop chasing you.

I’ve had cervical screening on nhs and privately and I’ve always been amazed that I hardly feel a thing when the private nurse does it, yet the nhs nurses make me hurt bleed and claim it’s normal.

This. When I had it done privately they tried on the normal bed but because it was so painful we moved to the colposcopy suite to use the tilting bed. I couldn't believe what a difference it made. I went from crying in pain to barely knowing it had been done. It should be an option for everyone.

Most HPV disappears on its own in 80% of cases in 2 years. That's not 100%, is it? That means 20% of women have long term HPV that poses a risk.
You simply won't know if that is you without tests.

20% of women who have ever been HPV positive have long term HPV. That's not the same as 20% of all women.

Women with long term HPV are at greater risk of developing cancer, but it's not a certainty.

Women who have declined screening have taken the decision that the likelihood of developing cancer that will kill them is low (it is) and the risks for them associated with screening outweigh the benefits. One does not need to know one's HPV status to make this judgment.

Are you saying that HPV causes cancer in most women? Are you saying there are no risks associated with screening?

I'd like to see the evidence of that.

I don't think there is but I think it would be good to put in place a formal process which allows people to confirm they are opting out of potentially life saving procedures including the smeer, covid vaccinations etc. But, as part of that process I think you should sign a formal document which waives your rights to free access to the NHS. Simple processes like these protect you but they also protect our NHS from being overwhelmed. They could perhaps call the document the 'stupid clause' or the 'selfish clause'. Or maybe the 'selfish clause for the eternally stupid'. That's got a ring about it.

But, as part of that process I think you should sign a formal document which waives your rights to free access to the NHS

Should that also be required of people who have known, modifiable risk factors for developing cancer? If so that would mean over 60%of the population having their right to NHS treatment removed.

Just be clear with your GP, and tell them with confidence, no thank you, I don't want the screening. It's totally up to you. NHS involvement is totally up to you.

The Secretary of State no longer has a duty to provide people with a national health service, free at the point of use. That died with the Health and Social Care Act of 2011. The NHS in England is now just a brand, formed of healthcare companies that compete to make profit at the expense of the public purse.

For anyone interested in cervical health, check out the Cervical Wellness podcast on Medicine Stories channel. So interesting hearing how Rochelle healed herself of HPV and cervical cancer.

Gosh, that doesn't sound at all coercive and will in no way be traumatic for the medical staff performing procedures without genuine consent.

Do we get to opt out of paying for the NHS too, in this brave new world of yours? What about people who have some of your approved procedures but not all? Can those of us who've paid privately for procedures or vaccines the NHS doesn't deign to provide/does a shit job at get the costs covered? I quite fancy offsetting the money I paid for varicella vaccines for the DC and my own flu jab each year, on the subject of taking responsibility.

I strongly agree with this. Only one practice nurse ever managed to find my cervix, anyway - after nearly 30 minutes of trying and calling in a colleague to have a go, too. As if having a smear test isn’t unpleasant enough, having to abandon a couple altogether because your cervix won’t appear, and then have to rebook with someone else, is even more unpleasant. I now have it written in my medical notes that I must always have my smears done by a doctor. It’s frankly appalling that so many GP practices think it’s OK to give their practice nurses inadequate training and then let them loose on all comers. It is not acceptable to shove a speculum in blind, keep shoving it in and out, try various different sizes of speculum, ask the patient to cough, tell them to put their hands under their bottom, ask them to lie on their side or move about, when proper training enables said cervix to be found immediately by a properly trained GP or gynaecologist.