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 think your comparison to tests for men is ridiculous to be honest. Cervical cancer screening is for women. I feel it’s wrong that men are not screened earlier and more regularly to check their PSA levels. We have an advantage that we have these tests at our disposal.

From a personal viewpoint, seeing my 34 year old sister in law die a horrible death from metastatic cervical cancer, leaving behind a 10 year old son, having avoided smear tests, I think your stance is madness. I’ve also had breast cancer and I can tell you that screening saves many lives. You do you. I truly hope you avoid any of these horrors in the future.

Well no, you wouldn't.

Evasive is what the OP is being (and is within her rights to be, regardless of whether it's ill-advised).

A smear test is invasive by definition: that's not a subjective assessment of the experience; it's just a fact.

Yes, impressive even in the context of a subject that leads to a lot of open gates at the cunt farm. Fascinating, and not in a good way, how this issue leads some women to behave towards other women who they disagree with.

I’ve only ever slept with a virgin too (well he’s not a virgin anymore, he’s my husband) but I still get my smear done. How bizarre

NHS smear test first checks for HPV, then for abnormal cells if that is positive. If there is no way you could have HPV (and I’m not sure this is the case for OP) then there is no point in having a smear test.

If I remember correctly from my nursing days, you can ask your GP to have your details removed from the database so that any future invites will stop.

I’m unsure why you’re posting this on a public forum.
As someone who’s mum died from cervical cancer (no prior family history) and then years later I had cell changes and hpv detected, I had to have cells lasered to prevent it turning into something worse. I think you’re being very irresponsible and can’t fathom why you’d not book a test that you only have to have every few years that is merely checking you are ok.
i agree that it’s your body and your choice, i also agree that the procedure seems a bit barbaric. But honestly it’s over in less than a few minutes and saves lives (my mums would have potentially been one of them), so really it’s not a big deal getting it done.
Please actually consider all opinions and research related to smear tests and not just those that fit your narrative. The fact you didn’t actually know how HPV is transmitted is quite telling.

Not now, but in a previous role.
When I go to the dentist, they not only look at my teeth, they look at the mouth more widely for signs of oral cancers.
Similar thing here. Not perusing in depth, but certainly a visual examination can help pick up things a patient may otherwise not be aware of.

Always best to speak to your nurse or GP if you want more information.

I don't feel morally superior having a smear. I also am not keen on having the procedure. You just must do what you are comfortable with it is up to you.
I think it would be great if they didn't fob younger people off with ibs diagnosis and checked for bowel cancer...have personal and professional experience of young women being fobbed off and finding out too late.

Your choice. Bloody stupid decision.

Thanks - did you ever refer someone as a result of spotting a visual abnormality?

I can't find any evidence this ever happens. The process seems to be just a sample collection to be examined later if there is a positive HPV test. Ive looked at quite a bit of literature discussing the change to HPV screen and nobody seems to be talking about this as a downside/ risk factor.

What part of her post do you agree with?

It is up to you. I am married to the only man I have ever been with and we were both virgins when we we got together and to the best of my knowledge we have both always been faithful to each other. Now that they only test for HPV and not abnormal cells I've wondered if I am wasting my time myself. I've had two fairly bad experiences with smears over the years but my last one wasn't too bad so hopefully I will see the same nurse again next time.

I go because I suppose you never know. I'm sure there are lots of women like me to 100% trust their husbands fidelity and they are being cheated on, or a lifetime of being faithful could end. Its impossible to know what the men you've been with have done without your knowledge and so there is always a risk that you have been infected, you don't need to have sex to contract it. They say 80% or 4 in 5 women will contract HPV at some point in their life. Not great odds.

I suppose some people might suggest that if you have the option of a test you should take it and get early treatment which will be more cost effective as opposed to needing intensive treatment and costing the NHS a lot more more and risking your life. In that frame it could look selfish that you refuse a test especially if you would then avail yourself of NHS treatment if you did develop cancer from an HPV infection. Not my opinion as such but I think that is how some view it.

It's not at all clear from the OP's post that she doesn't have HPV. All she said is that she tested at home "in the past". She didn't say she tests regularly and seems to be confident enough that there is no need since she only sleeps with virgin men.
I don't think personal insults are necessary but I also don't think it is wise to assume that OP is absolutely confident she is not at risk and doesn't have active HPV as we speak.
I am also still not entirely certain what her motives were for posting.

Probably.
Someone else has posted a similar story on page 14. They also wouldn’t be picked up now!

If you are having sex you are at risk of developing cervical cancer. It is predominantly cause by a virus that is easily transferred from one body to another either by penatrive sex or oral sex. The virus can also cause oral cancer and the increase in cases in 20-30yr olds seen in the 90s and 2000s was a result of increased oral sexual activity. Thankfully the introduction of the HPV vaccination has saved a lot of young people from death or severe facial disfigurement, although men are still at a higher risk because they were not offered the vaccine.

There is little evidence that cervical cancer is one of the cancers more likely in families that carry certain gene mutations. It is almost always due to infection. As for virgin men, it was a trend a few years ago to maintain virginity by only having oral sex. It doesn’t prevent transmission of sexually transmitted diseases but may stop pregnancy.

If you have had more than 8 sexual partners, however you decided to swap bodily fluids you will have significantly increased your risk of being infection with HPV.

It’s a simple test which also includes a clinical examination of the gross anatomy and any pathology of your cervix. Something it is impossible to do yourself. A manual examination doesn’t replace a good look around.

We may not enjoy the examination but cancer diagnosis and treatment is an horrendous ordeal. Having been diagnosed with breast cancer and undergone treatment I fully support any screening programme that will save lives.

I have gone for all of my scheduled smear tests.

I think all women have a strong dislike of having things inserted internally - it’s not nice.

I have been told by the clinician doing my smear test that I have a healthy looking cervix. My risk I believe is very low. I still go! In some ways I do it
in solidarity of the women that do get diagnosed and that do die from cervical cancer.

We have this service available to us, we
should use it. But like everything in rich countries, we have the choice.

Hopefully prostate cancer screening will be offered in the same way in the future.

But it is encouraging to read what @NewJobat50 writes about the HPV vaccine.

An at home test is an option from 2026 - states so on the NHS website

yabu hth

Reddit has a lot of threads with yiur views on paps. Highly reccomend going there for a discussion.

I have, at least a couple of times, including a suspicious mole a woman wasn’t aware of.

Well, if your view is that it's unclear then that would still be a reason for those people not to make assumptions.

And the point of my post was that some people very clearly do care, and are bothered enough to have been personally insulting. It simply won't do for anyone to pretend nobody gives one.

Your body, your choice.

I don't think a reliable HPV test for men exists, does it?

Thanks again. I don't understand why this isn't being factored into the clinical discussions around screening. Maybe it's just not happening often enough for people to care.