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.

Because you seem to be trying to find fault with the tests without any actual reason.

You seem to have an issue that these tests don’t routinely screen for abnormal cells and also that HPV causes 90% of cervical cancer which you’re claiming is unfair on the other 10% of women - but it’s still more effective than anything else right now.

So what is your actual problem with it?

There is no alternative for the prostate exam.

There IS an alternative to women having a speculum shoved up their vagina, and having their cervix scraped.

HTH.

Firstly I never said anything was unfair.

And secondly, my only issue with all of this is calling a smear test a cancer screening when it is not - it is a HPV screening. I prefer facts and honesty in healthcare you see. Not emotion and guilt tripping.

I’d rather have the invasive exam and be safe, than a newfangled home testing kit, just because men don’t have to have a similar invasive procedure??

My first smear was horrendous. I didn’t even get offered a chaperone (didn’t realise it was an option!) I still go back promptly when it’s due.

Yeah I mean, I'd have been dead at 30 if I hadn't have had one so, you do you I guess.

A friend of mine was diagnosed with cervical cancer some years ago, but it had started at the top of the cervix, so by the time it was picked up by a smear test, it had already spread throughout her reproductive organs. She then needed a complete hysterectomy, including removing her ovaries, which then brought on early menopause. It's quite a rare type, and is usually only found in nuns!

If, by chance, the OP was to get this type of cervical cancer, it could well have spread even further by the time it was discovered.

I’m not pp, but there are harms associated with screening as well as benefits. Reading this thread it seems like not many women realise this.
How can informed consent for screening be even given when women don’t appear to be fully informed?

I think the reason you started this thread and the reason you are so vocal on quite unusual aspects of this topic is because deep down you know you are a bit unreasonable and you are questioning if this is the right decision. You have mentioned an autism diagnosis and that you struggle with the sensory aspect of having an internal procedure. You are able to opt out of the smear but at some point in the future you might really need some form of internal examination. It might be worth seeing a therapist and working through your concerns.

They (the medical establishment) haven’t come up with a less invasive test until recently but they have worked in the vaccine, which in some ways is a miracle and it had been around when I was growing up.

I agree with you @Seventeenstars I haven't had one since the GP pressured me into one after I had my first baby, I will spare people the details as to why this was so inappropriate at that time. That experience made me decide I'd never have one again. I also read up about it, like you have and it made me feel better about this decision. I really really hate the way women are about this topic.

I also will be declining mammograms.

YANBU x

Wow. Compassionate response award. Slow clap.

All your exes were virgin? Alright Goldicocks 😂

You totally have the right to reject this testing for yourself.

Let's hope to god that you aren't one of the people who are susceptible to this cancer. And this is a risk that you can't assess with any real accuracy going on just your family history. Like lots of diseases, cancer is multi-factorial, with many factors play a role – diet, exercise, stress, sleep, hormone balance, being overweight, environmental pollutants, longer term use of oral contraceptives, three or more full-term pregnancies, and more.

So yeah, go ahead, don't have a smear test. But at a time when NHS treatment is compromised in so many ways, it seems weird to be so upset about it being pretty thorough in trying to help diagnose this serious – and often terminal – disease at an early stage, and treat it, before it becomes untreatable.

I knew someone who died of cervical cancer. She was only in her 40s, fit and healthy in every other way, and had a young son. It's a very painful way to die.

So sorry about some of the unkind comments about this, but also lots of good advice, & I agree that you have the choice whether or not to have the test.

I spoke to a lovely nurse at my GP surgery (although I was seeing her for as something completely unrelated) as I am also reluctant to have another one, different reasons from yours (long story short, I had a bad experience once with one previously) - she was so understanding - she gave me a plastic version of the instrument they use (sorry, the name of it has escaped me), plus lube gel, so that I could practice at home. And she will be the one to do it, once I get the confidence to go ahead & have it done.
But please don't opt out altogether, you can ignore the reminders for now, & you may change your mind in the future.🌹

"But I have done my research........."

Fine, do whatever suits you.

Why the thread, since you have already made your mind up

It is your body, your choice. I’ve had abnormal smear results and further investigation & treatment wirhout which I might not be here now. But absolutely your choice.

I disagree. I think there's a lot to say, especially as OP is asking very fair questions about why these fairly invasive screenings (which involve having either a plastic instrument pushed into your vagina or your breast clamped in a vice!) are pushed relentlessly, while others are seemingly ignored.

OP, yes, I suspect your theory is correct that money is at the root of this relentless push - either to make it or to save it! Pretty sure GP surgeries etc receive funds for how many smears and mammograms they perform. Fair enough, I guess, but they should probably be more transparent about it.

I haven't had one in a decade.

As I understood it, the OP was asking why these screenings are pushed when others aren't even offered. And it's a valid question.

Because it's a societal medical system. Two things can be true. To think you can't and shouldn't force this. To rightly judge behaviour that is objectively had for society.

YABU it could save your life 🤷‍♀️

Are you seriously suggesting that cancer screenings offered free on the nhs are purely to make money?!

Now I’ve heard it all

Which is worse.. having an ‘invasive’ screening or getting cancer

hmmmmm let me think