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.

As the saying goes "you do you".

Yes, multiple people are clearly bothered enough that they took the time to have a dig.

But but but….. you were the one so bored tonight you started a thread on here knowing you’d piss people off 😂 if it’s your body your choice keep your opinions to yourself. Then you don’t get other peoples opinions back at you. Go educate yourself 🙄

I’d say all this to your face. But if you came up to me in the street spouting your bullshit I’d think you were not well. If you don’t want to be flamed don’t strike the match op.

I promise you, I would say the same to your face. As I have done to other women who refuse potentially life saving procedures.
and for the record you can catch HPV from virgin men. I’d probably educate myself a wee bit more before making such outlandish statements.

Some took the time to have a dig at the misinformation / nonsense being spread by the OP. Rightly so, it should be challenged.

Separately to that, I don’t think anyone really gives a shit whether he has one or not. Nobody will lose sleep over it.

Some women don’t due to past trauma such as sexual assault or due to finding it very painful.

Is there anyone on the thread who performs these tests? I've had a Google and can't seem to find any information about a visual check being part of the process but I'd be really interested to hear from a professional. If it is literally just checking for HPV then I would rather test another way and have the proper cell sample taken if it comes back positive.

I’m stunned that you’re vehemently against having a smear, where a small dilator is inserted and a swab of your cervix done in about 30 seconds flat - not a single digit enters your vagina - but elected to have a c section where several hands were literally inside your abdomen for upwards of half an hour.

Yes, a visual check is part of the test.

What on earth in the internalised rape culture hellscape are you trying to say here? It sounds like you're implying that as OP isn't a virgin she shouldn't be so uppity about having whatever inserted into her! Don't you believe in bodily autonomy for women? Should they only have it if they agree with you? For god's sake think before you type!

Yeah I know really. I should just be more responsible.

It is your choice, your personal choice. I have them but I find them excruciating and I fucking hate people saying 'not as excruciating as cancer'. They're not actually concerned about me, they just want to feel superior.

However - your GP surgery IS trying to catch a devastating disease early.

It's still your choice though. In an ideal world we call have a non-invasive screening but in the absence of that, you have to make a choice and it's absolutely nobody's right to try to coerce or manipulate you.

I agree with you and havent had one either. I am about ten years older than you and even less risk.

Are you someone who does smear tests? Genuinely asking.

And then others called her, as opposed to what she was saying, stupid. In at least one case whilst clearly either not understanding what is and isn't tested or having failed to read that OP knows she doesn't have HPV, embarrassingly enough for them. Also someone else felt moved to wonder how she'd had a child, which hopefully nobody is going to pretend amounts to challenging misinformation.

Thus far nobody has claimed OP has made them lose any sleep, small mercies, but it's very evident that a number of people give a number of shits. Not really any way round that one.

So because you dont like the method of screening (does anybody?) and are aware of what you deem to be better options. And because you think men should be more routinely screened for male specific conditions - you are refusing to have a test done that literally takes a few minutes once every 3 years or so.
Bizarre logic.

Yes its invasive and not fun but so are A LOT of other medical procedures (some of which Ive also had - tube up the bum for example!) Presumably treatment for cervical cancer is even more invasive........plus the follow up tests if you survive it.

Its years away yet but when you get to 50 you'll be offered potentially life saving mammograms too (which can detect cancer thats almost as small as a fullstop.) Will you skip those as well?

Natural selection :)

This is a fucking shameful comment.

Haven’t read the full thread so this may have come up already, but I’d be a little concerned that some people getting screened mightn’t fully realise the downsides as well as the benefits, eg the potential for over-treatment, which sometimes can result in negative consequences.
Consent needs to be informed and I’m really not sure it always is.

Yes, if someone is having a speculum exam then the professional does visual checks as they do it. Also they ask specific questions about any changes, unusual bleeding/pain.

You do realise that GPs surgeries get paid for meeting smear test targets (it used to be a % of the patient list in zone but I don't know the current postion).

That is why they write repeatedly and if you feel pressure to attend, that's why. It's not because there is some overarching altruism insisting all women should be tested.

If you don't want to go, don't go. I think you are insanely naive though if you are basing it on an assumption all the men you have slept with are virgins. You can never "know" someone is a virgin unless you have been with them 24/7 since the day they were born. People who are sexually abused as a minor may not choose to reveal that to anyone. People who cheat may lie about it. Anyway it is not the case that there is no risk of HPV from a male virgin anyway.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5034958/

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/12/171213115820.htm

Of course there is. Or at least should be when done properly. I know this from my gynaecologist.

I'm 39. I've been having smears since I was 18 (don't ask me why but my GP at the time wanted me to have them done as I was sexually active) and in all those years I've tested positive for precancerous cells twice. I've had to go through loop excision therapy twice. Yes it's not nice and the second time I made them give me a general because the first time hurt so much - but my smear is due and I go on 2 weeks for my next one. I'd much rather go through all of that than deal with actual cancer which would be much more invasive and could leave my boys without a wife and mother.

But your body. You do you.

"Of course I know I’ll be bombarded with replies saying I’m selfish, stupid and uneducated."

Yet, still, you posted. Why, exactly?