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)

Because we are grown ups and can make our own decisions regarding our own bodies? Nobody gets a say over my body apart from me.

Judgemental much?

Yes I think the argument is that you are very unlikely to have the cell changes unless you test positive for HPV. Resources are better spent doing more checks on women who have tested positive (because if you do, you now go more often) than looking at cells of women who are HPV negative.

However I'm not going since they made the change. I really hate that they do this invasive, intimate test and then don't bother to look at the cells. I feel a bit disrespected TBH, I think they should offer women HPV swabs at home. I will do an HPV check at home instead of smears as long as they stay negative.

Just for balance, for anyone thinking of having their first smear, mine have never hurt the tiniest bit. I just don't like getting my kit off for something that'll just be binned.

OP, are you just one of those people who like to be awkward and difficult for the sake of it? If you don't have the sense to go for what could be a potentially life saving 5 minute test, then just put the reminder letters in the bin and move on with your life 🙄

That story was a rollercoaster of emotions. Thanks for sharing. I’m so glad to hear you’re clear now, and wish you everything that it stays that way 💐 I have a close family member with stage 4 cancer who has been given a short outcome and praying she is one of these medical miracle-ish cases. The more I hear the more hope I have.

Not really. The only reason people want to know why is so they can say OP is wrong.
It is her body and her choice.

A friend of mine was found to have abnormal cells due to HPV last year. She’s had a biopsy and is under watch now.

She has also been sexually inactive for over a decade so for those saying they don’t need a smear as they are not sexually active, have the same partner for years etc it can lie dormant as it has done for my friend and become active later on.

Very astute. Because of internalised misogyny. I think many of the comments on this thread are horrendous. Women policing other women about something which is completely personal and private, because then it makes them feel better about their own ‘choice.’

I say ‘choice’ because smear programmes like this one are just marketing campaigns, complete with guilt-trip adverts and slogans, and hiding the actual facts that would allow women to make informed decisions about their own bodies.

If you are happy to gamble with your life, don't go. But I would strongly encourage you to go.

How can anyone possibly weigh up whether a decision is reasonable enough without knowing the factors of that decision?

Even “my body, my choice” comes with caveats.

It's your choice. The wisdom of declining depends on whether you're sexually active or not, and if and when you were.

If you haven't had sex or v. intimate relationships for twenty years, your risk is going to be lesser. Not saying that HPV can't lie dormant in the body for a long time - I know it can - but sexual activity is the biggest risk factor, isn't it? It's vanishingly rare in women who are lifelong virgins or celibates.

Even if I had been celibate for a very long time but had children or dependents, I'd have screening regardless, but if not, I might be inclined to turn the offer down.

Thanks Sidge. I think I gave them permission to share details of the possible ovarian cyst but was a bit taken aback when she offered to do the smear there and then and can't remember what I agreed to!

There is so much misinformation out there about cervical smears. A lot of women - most on this thread - are actually clueless about the purpose of a cervical smear, its necessity and the fact that for most women the risks outweigh the benefits. There are many doctors out there who have been calling for them to be stopped for years due to the unnecessary damage they do to many women due to the fact that abnormal cells are very common and in most cases revert to normal within a short time frame if left untreated - but the stress, anxiety and pain caused by further examinations causes mental and physical trauma to women that could have been avoided. If you're interested, do some research.

Cervical cancer is pretty much only caused by HPV (95% +). Therefore if you don't have HPV, you will be vanishingly unlikely to have cervical cancer.

The cells removed during a cervical smear are only actually examined IF the HPV test they do comes back positive. For the vast majority of women, who will test negative on the HPV test, the cells they've had removed during their smear will go straight in the bin.

What IS necessary is a HPV test, which can be self administered. If the HPV test is positive, then a follow up smear test can be arranged. In some boroughs, like mine, this is now the norm. I got sent a swab in the post and did it myself at home. Simple, easy, stress free. However, because women's health is stuck in the dark ages, most areas of the country are still enforcing smear tests, despite them being an unpleasantly invasive and often painful experience for most women - and entirely unnecessary for most, to boot.

For those women being dismissive, I have suffered from vaginismus for most of my adult life. The pain of a smear test is indescribable - literal agony. There are many women for whom invasive vaginal tests are painful or trauma inducing to the point where they will avoid them at all costs. Just because it's easy and painless for you, doesn't mean it is for everyone. Which is why the move to HPV self-smears can't come quickly enough.

Please, ladies, educate yourself on this and stop perpetuating the myth that all women 'need' a smear test every 3 years. We really, really don't.

My SIL has just had a hysterectomy for cervical cancer. No symptoms at all, only picked up on smear. Luckily she’s all clear now, no spread.

I’ve known 4 people have cervical cancer. Only one is still with us. I’m a huge believer in making sure I have my smears etc. I had abnormal results about 5 years ago and have had smears each year since and two colposcopy’s.

but I’m also acutely aware that it’s up to the person. One of the people who passed away has girls about my age. They won’t have smears. Which personally I think is crazy. But their bodies their choices.

my gp sends a letter with a form which notes that if you no longer want them just sign and they’ll stop reminding you.

I didn’t go to my last appointment as was pregnant (not recommended when pregnant, hence not going). I then got a reminder recently which gave me the option to confirm I was opting out and the potential risk factors.

@ShhDoNotTell and @XenoBitch Cynical or what?

The screening that is offered to women is cervical screening.

Mammograms start at age 50 (some areas slightly earlier.)

Bowel screening is for the over-50s.

Prostate cancer testing for men is not routinely offered.

I think women ought to be grateful they have this on offer.
If they want to decline, that's their choice.

The younger generation will have had the HPV vaccine (IF they took it up- it's not mandatory.) It protects but not 100%.

Older women (early 30s) won't have nor will millions of women in their 40s-60s.

The argument against screening is usually over-diagnosis and unnecessary treatment. You can choose to be treated if your tests show anything untoward.
You can't choose if you never have a test.

Yep a family member had a similar experience.

She didn't survive. It's why I drag myself to smear tests (they check visually too, it's not just the HPV test) despite past trauma making it very difficult.

I’ve had two letters about a smear but I can’t get ever get through to my GP surgery so haven’t been able to book one.

Will start by saying 'your body, your choice' in every circumstance, so not going to berate the OP or suggest anyone goes for a smear.

However, I have to echo some others who have said having had the HPV vaccine doesn't mean you won't have HPV. That's misinformation and potentially dangerous. I had my HPV vaccine at 14, delayed getting my first smear by a couple of years due to covid which came back positive for HPV. Fortunately, my cells came back normal and my yearly check up is coming up soon.

I'm aware that I'm very lucky and that if any cells do become abnormal they will hopefully be removed before becoming cancerous but it really isn't the case that HPV vaccine = no HPV

🙄

@ShhDoNotTell yes, yes and yes some more. Thank you

Not cynical. But show me where people are called stupid, emotionally blackmailed, or told horror stories for not getting screenings that are not cervical cancer.

I have never seen someone called an idiot for not going through bowel screening. I have never seen a load of stories of death shared when someone admits they have not been to the dentist in 15 years.

It is not being cynical to wonder why other women in particular are so invested in the reproductive health of others.... to the point of callousness and name calling.

Very well said by both of you.

@FunnyTalks I’m very sorry to hear about your family member xx