To not what the GP receptionist to loudly proclaim that I'm overdue for a smear test in the waiting room?

[nahhh88]

I went into the GP surgery for a completely unrelated manner, and when the GP receptionist pulled up my profile she said I'm overdue for my smear test, and did I want to book in for the smear test. I just said I'll book it another time and tried to get her to stop talking. I've never had a smear test as I'm a virgin and had the HPV vaccines as a teenager, and I have no intention of having one done any time soon.

I felt really embarrassed knowing everyone in the waiting room will have heard (the chairs are all very close to the reception desk, there's no privacy so you end up knowing everyone's private medical details said aloud for everyone to hear. As I walked out this old man made eye contact with me and I just felt really embarrassed by it.

AIBU to think GP receptions need to have more privacy and things handled more quietly and sensitively?

As a doctor, I would treat a patient’s smear status as private medical information.

What a nasty comment

It's a standard test, you shouldn't have been embarrassed. Good for you for going and also, maybe someone else in the room knew they needed to have one but was feeling too nervous to book: maybe you encouraged them...

I had a pharmacist loudly attempt to explain to me how and when to insert suppositories in a room full of people. I was sundered and told him mid sentence to stop.

GP receptionists are similar and I can totally see why you're annoyed. I would be too. It's unnecessary.

Don't listen to other PPs telling you that you've no need to embarrassed about smears, if you're embarrassed you're embarrassed.

If they did the same to a man about a prostate examination, he'd likely be embarrassed too, getting checked/screened for cancer shouldn't be embarrassing of course not, but any examination in the private parts can make most normal humans embarrassed.

I really don’t know why people can’t get on board with calling it Cervical Screening.
“Smear” is a bit of an icky word.

When I phoned to book mine, the receptionist genuinely had no idea what cervical sceening was. I repeated it 3 times before giving in and saying smear.

It's a smear what's so embarrassing about that? It's no different to saying your flu jab is due. I couldn't get worked up over that.

Apologies - I committed the sin of not RTFT. Still, it is an everyday thing and nothing to be embarrassed about.

Maybe she should have been more discreet. I'm more concerned that you won't have a smear.

This, it sounds like she was doing her job, she can't not give you the info and she can't help the waiting area layout either.

Yabu not to arrange a smear test if its due regardless of being a virgin. Please get it done. You can bring someone with you for support if you feel uncomfortable and you can tell the nurse/gp carrying it out if you're particularly nervous about it so they can reassure you.

100% this.

It is not for any of use to tell op she shouldn't be embarrassed by what the receptionist said.
I also don't think it's the receptionist's responsibility to tell me that my smear test is due or overdue, I'd rather the GP did during my appointment, or via the letter that I receive in the post.
I actually dread to think how I would have felt a few years ago if this had happened to me when I had been trying to book one but due to heavy irregular periods I just couldn't have it done.

I imagine many men would also feel a degree of embarrassment if were told in this way that their prostate examination was overdue, despite most men having one.

I'd have a flu jab on the open shop floor in Boots, with the general public milling around. I wouldn't have a smear test there. There are reasons for the difference. So no, they aren't the same.

This is a problem and it is nothing to do with being embarrassed. I know if my own parents heard in the waiting room that I was overdue a smear they would conclude that I was sexually active and that would cause a big problem. Staff should be mindful of this sort of situation, and they do receive training. It's very poor.

All the vibes and good on you for keeping up with the regular smear tests -- it's not fun but could save your life!

And no they shouldn't announce to the whole waiting room why you are there.

OP, I get why you were taken aback!

IANAD but my understanding is that cervical cancer is vanishingly rare in women who have not had sex, and that smear tests nowadays just look for dangerous strains of HPV rather than checking the actual cells.

So if the above is accurate, YANBU to dodge this... unalloyed joy.

I think the advice for virgins to be checked too is, because, well, #people! Perhaps someone was raped as a young child. Perhaps they have had sex but don't want the world at large to know for one reason or another. Perhaps they are overly innocent and don't REALISE they've had sex!
Easiest thing - check them anyway.

They are routine these days. It's not as if the receptionist questioned you about your virginal status.

They keep pestering me, even by email. One threatened to kick me out the practise because I hadn't been there in a while. When I confirmed I still live in the catchment area, she instantly replied back that I was overdue a smear test. Wtf. It makes sense they're paid for it.

fanny appointment!!!! - its a smear test taken from the cervix. Learn your anatomy seriously !

People are being wilfully cool about this, IMO. Whatever one's own personal feelings, some women just don't want news about their smear tests spoken audibly to a waiting room full of people. And that's their prerogative.
It's not excuse either that the receptionist does this sort of thing all the time – in fact, it's LESS of an excuse; experienced staff should jolly well know about discretion.
I'd write to the practice manager.

You’ve also presumably done your IG training?

Yes, it was wrong, but this really is not a big deal. There is nothing to be embarassed about a smear test. They save lives. If you are due for a smear test please, please go for it.

People need to raise their standards and expect better from the health service.

Smear tests embarrass some women. Why would you chastise them for that?

We should try to keep all interactions with patients as confidential as possible, within the limitations presented by NHS premises and resources. All NHS staff have annual training in information governance. We should all try hard to maintain high standards of confidentiality. Whether it’s about a smear test or an infected toenail.

I don’t know why people are bent on excusing the receptionist if she made no effort to keep her voice low. The content is almost irrelevant really.

The smear test only (initially) tests for the presence of HPV

I was told that they look for a change in cells and if there is any change then they test for HPV but if there is no change in cells then no further testing is needed.
There can be cell changes without HPV, what makes HPV a particular issue is that it can "help" speed up any dangerous changes already happening.* *

So yes it is still important to go for a smear test even if you are a virgin!

FYI

https://www.cdc.gov/std/hpv/stdfact-hpv.htm#:~:text=You%20can%20get%20HPV%20by,have%20no%20signs%20or%20symptoms.

It is absolutely possible to get cervical cancer as a virgin. It's also possible to get HPV without PIV sex occurring. So please don't think think you're immune due to virginity, and please make an informed decision in that regard re screening etc.

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/can-virgin-get-cervical-cancer#possible

I can understand not wanting a smear test regardless of sexual activity - it's not what I call fun! But people should have the information to make the right decision for them. I do find it a bit weird with some friends who have one night stands but won't have a smear test because it's gross...! Bur each to their own!

Everyone is allowed to feel embarrassed about whatever the hell they like, bully for you if you're all breezy about them but not everyone feels the same. It's not a difficult concept, is it?