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.

That seemed to be USA based.

In the uk you can’t test from 21 and it doesn’t detect cell changes unless you have HPV

• 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.*

not at all. How ridiculous.

there is nothing to be scared of, it’s such an insignificant procedure and your fear may cost you your life.

you’re gonna LOVE mammograms!

And you need to check how accurate these tests are before spouting your negativity.

Ok don’t hav one why you telling us? You want attention ?

I am a 67 year old woman who has had breast cancer twice with no family history. By the time you have any symptoms it could be too late. Ovarian cancer is called the silent killer. So you just wait to see what happens.

I meant to add that under the Tony Blair government, there were well women and well men clinics opened. A lot of the well men clinics closed because no-one went to them. They've been replaced with offers of, over-55-checks, men are less likely to attend. Men are less likely to return their FIT test kit. The prostrate cancer risk management proticol is used during the men's screening. There's downsides to PSA testing.

No doubt she’ll be refusing mammograms as well 🙄

I'm going out on a limb here, but I actually think posts like this are fake and designed to shake confidence in trusted, and proven, medical procedures. I believe the anti-vax movement and Covid deniers are also largely the same, ie bots, originating from adversaries of the West/western democracies.

Idk. I could feel if it felt different. But I know it's no excuse.

I don't have them either OP. Too painful and carrying certain risks. But the majority of women prefer to.

@WildLeader mammograms, like smears, aren't painful for everyone. We need to stop dismissing women's pain.

Well yes, you have the right to reject any form of medical treatment. I just don't think the fact it's a bit unpleasant is a good reason - but that's only an opinion.

I find smears really difficult too - on one occasion two different nurses tried and failed, so I had to go back at a later date. But I wouldn't have just cancelled.

No one in my family has had cancer - until I got cervical cancer and luckily it was picked up early so I didn’t leave my kids without a mum. You aren’t just making this decision to put your head in the sand you’re also making the decision to potentially leave your children’s without a mum. It’s a 2 minute thing once a year and it isn’t traumatic. I’ve been the victim of rape and if anyone should have an issue with internal examinations it’s me but I managed to just get on with it.

Crack on then, no one cares really. It’s to save your own life, if you’re not bothered neither is anyone else.

No one likes the procedure but it’ll be a whole lot less invasive than cervical cancer treatment I guess. I take it you’ve never had a baby OP?

By that point you would have later stage cancer. RIP.

last time I looked, we lived in a free country! Your body, your choice. Ask your surgery to stop contacting you if it’s bothering you.

No there's no hereditary link been found. The overwhelming amount of cervical cancers (99.7% of them) are caused by long term HPV infection

Do get a smear, both for the visual check of your cervix, vulval and vaginal health and the HPV test.

I'm sorry for your loss

It's only you and your family you are impacting if you do have cervical cancer or do develop it.
I guess you can only hope you don't, for their sake and yours as by the time you have symptoms, treatment options will be limited.

Ok.. you do you.
My very first smear test saved my life.
You won’t like my opinion/stance to your attitude/post.

At the age of 22 a smear test saved my life. You have the right to make your own choices, but you don't have the right to pass judgement on those who decide to do it. Not once have I felt or acted morally superior because I attend smear tests. What I have felt gor the past nearly 39 years is alive.

Your decision entirely.

The anxiety I would feel if I didn’t have them is too overwhelming. For the sake of a couple of minutes every 5 years, it is so worth it for peace of mind.

You do make a reasonable point about less invasive tests. When I had my last one they told me they just tested for HPV and if that’s negative they don’t even check the smear for dodgy cells. But it is what it is. I’m not going to refuse a test which could save my life on the basis they should be giving me a less invasive test.

Err, no, it’s not because they’re men.
In a few years time, if enough young people get vaccinated against HPV, there’d be no need for smears, and genital warts could be just about wiped out. The aim is to ultimately spare women smears, and spare GP staff having to call women to come in for one to try and save lives.

In the meantime, you do you. Nobody feels smug for getting a smear test and nobody thinks you’re a hero for refusing one.

This thread does highlight one very important thing: the utter failure by medical professionals to accommodate women who are adverse to certain procedures. ie how about offering sedation, counselling, or other medication to reduce panic/anxiety. We need to be our own advocates. Our lives depend on it. 🤔

What do you mean with feel your cervix? How is that relevant to a paper smear?

edit: my cervix is fairly sensitive (I believe, I obviously can’t compare) so the thought of feeling it is somehow (surprisingly) horrifying to me.