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.

Yes I’ve got a DS. I refused all internal examinations and I had an elective c section. Sorry to disappoint.

Extra commission? You think gp surgeries work on commission?
Why so keen to express a 'controversial' outlook?

So not so averse to having something inserted inside you after all?

I agree with you. I have actually always had my smear tests but I've missed some mammograms. I too did my research. I didn't want to take the risk of having a false positive and then undergoing unnecessary treatment. I knew that I would not deal well with the stress and worry of that.

It’s an odd topic, and it seems to involve a lot of women who believe very strongly in bodily autonomy then trying to scare and shame another woman about decisions she’s made about hers, which is wholly unreasonable.

Lol at 'disappoint'.

Yeah, we're all going to spend the evening with heavy hearts now...

Especially if it's virginal 😂

A small number of women have gone on to develop cervical cancer, as there are different strains of HPV, but it’s been highly successful and a real game changer. That’s why it’s important to carry on with cervical smears. Op is naive to think all the men she has slept with are virgins. They say what you want to hear and have most likely lied. Maybe Op will also refuse NHS treatment if diagnosed with cervical cancer, as the treatment is far more invasive than a smear test. Everyone has the right to refuse being treated for cancer, and I am sure they would honour Ops choice.

You do realise that no women find smear tests pleasant? Many of us find them scary, uncomfortable to painful and stressful. I made them give me valium for a colposcopy and a general anaesthetic for a hysteroscopy. I am a bit of a pest.

I tend to think that 5 mins pain is better than invasive treatment for actual cancer.

People really falling over themselves here to mock and insult a woman who isn't comfortable with an intrusive exam. Lovely.

Ok, OP.

It's your decision to make, many women make a similar choice (for many reasons). I would urge you to reconsider your position but ultimately it's your choice.

Your statement around women who participate in regular screening programmes and moral superiority says more about you, than it does about them.

Calm down everyone. The OP has had HPV tests. Thats all a "smear" test is too.
OP if you notify the surgery you're opting out they should stop asking.

Just buy a swab one online from superdrug and do one yourself. They only test for Hpv now so might as well do the home one.

Peculiar isn’t it. This doesn’t happen on threads about elective c-sections funnily enough.

Yep second that; it’s your body and you have bodily autonomy. It’s probably already been said but they test for HPV and if positive then cells for changes that could indicate/lead to cancer.
If you don’t have HPV there’s no point IMO
Don’t allow anyone to dictate to you over your body - it is your choice and yours alone x

If you don’t want it, do not have one. Refuse because of your own personal reasons, not to score points against men who don’t have to have prostate examinations.

OP, screening is optional. It's also not foolproof. Many people choose not to access it, including some medical professionals.
You are free to make your own choices, so don't let anyone bully you into something you don't want.

I think you'll find she's being mocked for the announcement really.

I mean there's a bubble tea place down the road to me and I've never bothered going in there and buying bubble tea.

Never thought to start a thread about it though, or complain that they keep putting leaflets through my door.

And of course the part about knowing they were definitely virgins 😁

So what's the point of the thread then? Why the tone from the OP? If they were genuinely thinking that you can avoid a smear test by using an at home test, their wording would simply be informative rather than almost provocative.

You do you but I don't know why you're telling us about it.

It's not controversial. GP surgeries are private businesses who are contracted to deliver primary care and public health programmes. There is core funding and performance based additional finding available (which is what the previous poster is referring to as 'commission'). It's hardly secret knowledge.

How are these replies mocking?

Health is an incredible emotive topic for so many women.

OP has come to a public forum to ask people's opinions on thier personal health decision and naturally, people are giving their opinions.

I fully admit I put off my first smear for a good 5 years after first being invited, more due to fear...ironically the fear of being told I had cancer. Since then I've had them regular as clockwork.

The only thing I will say is that the new testing rules annoy me, in that UNLESS you test positive for HPV they do not carry out ANY further testing. I feel this has the chance to miss vital cancers.

Granted I know HPV can stay hidden for years, but having had the same partner for 12 years I feel my chance of being HPV positive after decades of being negative seems unlikely (granted not impossible though).

I feel for the sake of them just testing for HPV id rather just do a test at home. That said I will no doubt keep going to the appointments.

Oh just put up with it OP, for God's sake. It's not that intrusive to occasionally turn stuff down, just say you don't want to.

These tests save many women's lives that probably wouldn't bother if not pushed. The world can't be set up to please everyone.

How are these replies mocking?

Health is an incredible emotive topic for so many women.

OP has come to a public forum to ask people's opinions on thier personal health decision and naturally, people are giving their opinions.

repost as forgot to quote