I’ve never had a smear test and I don’t want one either

[Seventeenstars]

Controversial I guess, I’m 36.
I don’t think it’s necessary, as I’ve read about my risk factors and I don’t meet the criteria. All the men I’ve slept with (without protection) were virgins and yes I know they were for sure.
I also have no family history of any cancer.
My partner has prostate cancer in both sides of his family, his dad has it currently and he’s not even been offered a screening test for this.
I find this so frustrating and contradictory when women and men are treated so differently and if you refuse smear or breast screening you’re seen as an awful person, and those who do are morally superior.
Men aren’t coerced into invasive internal examinations.
I have an aversion to having things inserted in me internally and feel I have a right to that decision regarding my body.
There are home tests for HPV available, which I have done myself in the past - all clear.
My question is why do they persist with this archaic procedure when there are other options available?

I keep getting phone calls from my GP surgery trying to persuade me to book a test. I don’t understand why they’re always pushing it, but just totally dismiss other medical issues, which has been my experience several times.
Do they get extra commission for this or something?
There are even pop up ‘clinics’ and drop in sessions going ahead near me.

Of course I know I’ll be bombarded with replies saying I’m selfish, stupid and uneducated. I’ve even read other women saying that those who refuse should be denied any medical care!
But I have done my research and I am more than aware of the implications.

I haven't had one for ten years and I know I should but cannot face it ptsd don't help

I was going to say this. We often moan that women’s health is not prioritised - yet in this case they’re not giving up! So if you flip it round….they’re looking out for women more than men.

saying that - in this case I think it’s up to the OP what she does with her body. I think there needs to be an opt out or a system where they only remind annually. They have stats to meet which is why they keep calling.

I don’t think OP is thick, unhinged or any of the other names some people have called her (disgusting name calling btw guys - great way to support a fellow woman). She is aware of her choice and aware of the risks. Her body her choice. She’s also autistic and that will impact her sensory needs and her feelings of trauma.

OP not sure why you started this thread though as I do think you probably know what the wonderful people of MN would say!!

Ask your gp if you opt out of cervical screening.

Maybe your partner should check with the GP to see if they’re missing any screening protocol that should be followed as he’s high risk. You have to be your own patient advocate sometimes.

Just looked that up. Schiller? Brilliant quote.

I think the good thing about this thread is making more people aware of this.

does anyone know if we can request this rather than the invasive option when we get the letter/call?

Thanks - that’s helpful to know. I was wondering if there was anything to numb as well.

There's always one.

Jade Goody was symptomatic, and also stated that she ignored a letter asking her to return for further testing on the basis of her symptoms. The smear test programme is only appropriate for women who aren't experiencing potential symptoms of cervical cancer.

You obviously didn't read the original post where the op said she'd tested negative for HPV. Maybe you should have read at least the original post properly before racing to join the sanctimonious pile on.

My best and oldest friend died of cervical cancer a few Years ago. She didn’t get smears done. It was a nasty horrible death. Just saying.

But it isn't available! It's only now being rolled out this year. Yes, it may have been available privately for a while but it takes time to evaluate evidence and do risk assessments and cost/benefit analysis at a population level before NHS adopts new screening procedures and treatments.

You just buy it from Boots or Asda etc.

‘All the men I’ve slept with (without protection)’. So clearly you do not have an aversion to things being inserted in you lol

Feeling your cervix doesn’t mean anything.
you really think you’re able to feel whether there are some abnormal cells there?

This is super offensive to the autistic community. Not all autistic people are the same. Please think before posting.

theres a lot more to autism than that.

Honestly. I think you’re mad. I constantly am thankful to live in a society where we have access to amazing healthcare including testing “just to check”. I appreciate every smear, breast- check , blood pressure check etc which is offered to me. With the majority of cancers the sooner you catch something the better so why on earth wouldn’t you want to have 10 seconds of slight discomfort for peace of mind. After multiple very healthy young friends being diagnosed with breast cancer recently I am paying for private breast check as I’m not old enough yet for the free one . I’ll take every test offered to me.

im the same as you. I have only slept with ym partner and we were both virgins when we got married. I have vaisimus and am terrified of having anything inserted and sex is nearly impossible .

You get cancer by exposure to HPV virus. Men develop this under their foreskin. They don’t get it by sexual activity so being a virgin is irrelevant. It is spread by touching/contracting warts, shared surfaces, towels etc so it is often transmitted between men in sports activities and changing rooms, or even by leaning on the same bar in the pub. For them, personally, it isn’t particularly harmful. It is only non existent in circumcised and celibate communities - so Jewish women and nuns don’t get it.

My mother and her aunt got it - it killed my aunt because she thought it was just peri menopause symptoms (as did my mother who she shared symptoms with). She died a slow and painful death because it spread to her spine. My mother had to have a total hysterectomy as a result of hers. They didn’t have a smear either as they weren’t free in South Africa. My sisters who were 19 and 22 also had early CIN1 changes (pre-cancerous cells identified on smears)… both only having had one sexual partner, one of whom was also a virgin.

But you do you. Your body, your choice.

Generally advisable to actually understand the facts first, though, rather than rely on google.

Indeed. If it weren't for the fact that these midwits really upset some women, it'd be funny.

OK?

Your body, your choice. Ask your GP to stop contacting you about it and opt out of reminders.

If you had done so much research that you even looked at the NHS page on cervical screening you'll have seen you can remove yourself from screening invites by simply filling out a form, if you are so against being offered life saving cancer screening.

Brilliant quote.

But do you accept that while this procedure is being carried out the nurse is also able to observe your cervix, vagina and vulva and note any changes/swelling/cysts/abnormalities that you may have no idea of or, feel no symptoms from?

For me this is an invaluable free service that may lead to early intervention if there is a problem. You are free to opt out but why are you so angry about women's health care? It's an amazing thing that is available to us that many in other countries are denied.

That’s one of the main issues with a smear test. They aren’t testing for abnormal cells if you don’t have HPV. It worries me. For those of us without hpv a smear test is pointless as it’s actually just an hpv test.

which in this case the OP has already had done.