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.

This! And to have been able to do enough research that the NHS brushes or whatever mechanism will be properly quality assured which can't be guaranteed from every private online kit available currently.

My smear test identified a cervical polyp which in turn led to further screening and a cyst being identified on my ovary. no signs of either prior to smear and resulted in keyhole surgery.

So its not just about screening for cervical cancer/hpv virus.

That said your body your decision .

There isn't a national screening programme for prostate cancer because the evidence base isn't there at the moment. I believe the TRANSFORM trial has started now, so that may change once the trial has taken place and results are available.

Cervical screening is already evidence based. Nothing wrong with choosing the HPV self testing
option, but concerns do exist about adequate sampling, compared to a hcp.
In any case, it's up to individuals whether or not they take up the screening that is offered to them.

There’s also a visual inspection of the cervix though. This could provide valuable indications of a potential problem. It’s not all about the HPV.
Everyone can do whatever they want but personally I think you’d have to be a bit simple to refuse a quick and free screening for a disease that can and does kill.

Fair point, that wasn't the best phrasing. 😄 I have the same problem, unfortunately, together with a tilted uterus, so the nurses probably dread doing mine.

Sorry if this has already been responded to but you absolutely can refuse internal examinations during pregnancy and labour. I wish I had during my first labour when they made me get out of the birthing pool so they could "see what they were doing".

I knew if I got out of that pool I probably wouldn't feel able to get in again, and I ended up with an epidural and eventually forceps. I'm not saying that outcome definitely wouldn't have happened otherwise but I do now know that internal examinations are a poor indicator for how labour is progressing and pushy midwives do not help.

I was vaccinated and still got it.

https://csas.nhs.uk/forms/screening-cease-opt-out-patient/

Opt out form for NHS cervical screening programme

Its 5 years now

If you have an issue with internal examinations - or even if you don’t for that matter - you can in fact not have a single one and still have a baby. I can testify to this by my own experience!

It’s unhelpful to people who find internal examinations distressing to say ‘you can’t have children then’ or make out that you lose all bodily autonomy and rights if you become pregnant. It’s also false.

I had a smear test recently to test for HPV but the nurse still used that horrible mini toilet brush like thing to have a good scrape around. Surely unnecessary unless they’re collecting cells. I’d have thought a swab would have been enough.

Clearly you have never seen or smelled a 40 year old woman rot to dearh with cervical cancer I have and therefore take all screening offered

I’m really glad you’re ok! 💐 Out of curiosity, are all cell samples taken in smears still analyzed in the UK? Where I live, only the samples from people who have tested positive for HPV are actually analyzed, so your case would have been missed at the early stage. (I think this change was introduced about 10-15 years ago where I live.) Is it different in the UK?

You do you. But I don’t see why you wouldn’t have one when it could save your life. Friend of a friend wouldn’t have them, she had a baby and afterwards was in horrible pains and ended up needing an examination, she died of cervical cancer two years later and left behind her toddler and husband, if detected early then she may well have survived. It’s just bonkers to me to not have them but…… you crack on

Well Ive never had HPV but the smear test wasn’t pointless for me. The visual examination identified a large cycst on my cervix which wouldn’t have been found otherwise until it caused other symptoms. Because of my smear test, it was removed within a month.

I have had two children without ever having an internal examination. So it’s not impossible.

If you want a different test go private.
If you want an NHS test - take what is given.
The NHS goes for the cheapest not always the best. That is the way it is.

Take the test, it may save your life. Many young women die because they are afraid of the test, don’t let that be you.

No, it's not stupid and you don't have the right to say so.

The OP is making a rational decision about her own health. The home hpv tests are perfectly adequate. IF one comes up with abnormal results then she needs to go for the actual smear test

How did they discover you had cin3. This is what worries me.

No one can make the decision but you. If you are happy to opt out then that's entirely your own decision.

im not looking down on anyone making a healthcare decision for themselves.

i make different ones. And I am grateful that i have that choice.

No they aren’t they stopped it a few years ago. So I am interested to know too

I wondered this. I have a family history of breast cancer and was diagnosed with it following a routine mammogram two years ago. The type of cancer is lobular and doesn’t produce lumps, so there’s nothing to see or feel until it’s progressed. By the time they found it, the tumour was 13cm with no physical indication that it was there, and if it hadn’t been for the mammogram I wouldn’t be here to tell the tale.

We live in a country where these things are available as a choice and obviously it’s up to the individual to decide whether they want to take part. But I’m really not sure how I feel about offering NHS treatment for conditions arising from the individuals’ refusal to take part in screening.

You do you.

But your 'research' is a little off I'm afraid.

The reason there is not a national screening for prostate cancer for men is because there is not a good method of screening. PSA test has lots of false positives (leading to stressful and invasive investigations) but can also give false reassurance if negative as these can be false too. It doesn't meet the requirements of a screening programme. Men are usually also offered a DRE (digital rectal exam) by their GP as part of the screening so they do also have something unpleasant and invasive to deal with (although I would consider this completely irrelevant when deciding whether to get a smear test or not personally!).

Have a look at Wilson's criteria and it will tell you what is required for an effective screening programme. The PSA test does not fit the criteria.

Having a negative HPV test once does not mean it will alway be negative. The virus can lie dormant for years and then become active again.

The reason just a simple test for HPV is not used is that with the smear - if it is positive - the cytology is then examined. If you really hate having smears (totally reasonable - who doesn't) then self sampling for HPV is a viable alternative IMO but of course if it comes back positive you would then need a smear to look for cell changes which would further delay any potential cancer diagnosis. Your body - your choice.

People don’t attend for many reasons, including past trauma like sexual assault. Please don’t ever say again that people who don’t attend are “a bit simple”.