Opting out of cervical screening

[TeaAndHugs]

This is not a thread to discuss the benefits or otherwise of cervical screening.

I want to officially opt out of the NHS Cervical Screening Programme. I have looked at the data regarding risk of cancer vs risk of unnecessary treatment and decided that I would rather live with the cancer risk (I have the necessary statistical training to make an informed decision).

However, every time I see the doctor or nurse the appointment is dominated by a lecture about screening, rather than a discussion of my actual health problems. I want to officially opt out of the screening program so that I stop showing as overdue for a test on the doctor's system.

According to the NHS Cervical Screening Programme Good Practice Guide I can opt out by putting my request in writing, but it doesn't say who I need to write to. Is it my local PCT (which is Oxfordshire)? Or is there a national admin center?

Has anybody else successfully opted out? How do you do it?

This is not a thread to discuss the benefits or otherwise of cervical screening.

Look on page 2 of this thread, TeaAndHugs typed out a copy of what she sent... I don't understand why you tried to get out of the surgery like that, though, rather than explaining your feelings at the time? You must have known trying to sneak out without talking about it wasn't going to end well.

Gosh. I'm by no means a big fan of the nhs, but it had never even occurred to me to get cross about preventative screening.

To the (Aussie?) poster who said that particular countries restrict CC screening to the "5% of women that have HPV" - are you sure it's only 5%? At least in Britain, I am fairly sure HPV rates are a LOT higher than that.

Glad to see other people have managed to opt out successfully. I finally managed to find out how to opt out, will say how for those who may be seeking info as I know it's hard to find! It's so nice being able to go to the doctors without being lectured about the smear, it used to make me not want to go at all. I can't believe it is seen as acceptable to make women feel they don't have any choice in the matter and to patronise us for making informed decisions about our own bodies. My body my choice!

For those who live in Wales - you can apply for an opt-out form by contacting your local Regional Coordinator at Cervical Screening Wales. Contact details here: www.cervicalscreeningwales.wales.nhs.uk/contact-us
They sent me an opt-out form in the post and I sent it back with a short statement saying why I wanted to opt out. Since then I've been free from the lectures and reminders.

Obviously it should be made easy to opt out for those that don't want it for whatever reason. As starlight says "my body my choice".

On a lighter note those adverse to cervical screening will be pleased to know that they don't bother with you any more after you reach 65. Presumably no one over that age ever gets a new sexual partner……

That's the good news. The bad news is that after 65 you get a little package, envelope and spatulas sent to you every two years. You are asked to smear two pieces of poop (from different parts of your poop) onto a little plastic window, three times within the course of two weeks max that you then put in the envelope and send through the post. Welcome to the world of bowel cancer screening.

Personally I found it a lot more taradiddle poop scraping than having a nurse rummage around my lady bits for a couple of minutes.

But of course I agree with the OP. Just trying to introduce a little levity into the thread.

I'll get my coat…..

Why do we need to opt out. I have no intention of going for any more smears. I just put letters in bin

Rabbitstew.....I didn't try to sneak out as you put it....I basically didn't want a confrontation with the woman on the way out!I must have known it wasn't going to end well you say....really!...I dont appreciate unprofessionalism from nhs staff nor sarcasm from other comments here! Not sure why some people seem to feel the need to attack others ...I am simply seeking advice!! Perhaps if you read through some of the messages you will see why some women feel pushed into doing this and badgered...perhaps you should consider that is how I felt today!
And to Angeltulips...perhaps I felt like I was being treated as a non person in the surgery! Being talked about instead of being spoken to is not very nice and I for one don't appreciate that attitude. If I am going to be attacked for my comments I won't be posting again...as this was my first time...but in future will get info via the net! Cheers!

Kilmuir....thats what I did until today when I went for a blood pressure check and virtually had an appointment made for me till I mentioned I would be on holiday. Now I feel forced to opt out and wait for the out fall from my GP!

Thankfully i have not seen GP for years.
I have made my decision and would not appreciate being made to feel an idiot. My body my choice

You can write to your GP and ask for an opt-out form. They are obliged to provide you with information.

I would also write a letter of complaint to the practice manager. Mention the dreadful behaviour of both the GP and the receptionist.

Cancer screening is an optional test. It is not compulsory but you wouldn't think that by the way some HCP disregard the concept of informed consent.

When you next visit your GP, state quite firmly, whilst maintaining eye contact, that you do not wish to waste the consult time discussing cancer screening. Do not engage the GP in an argument. Just smile and change the subject.

Sorry, littleme61, but the way you describe it, you were trying to sneak out! Maybe I'm just more upfront than you, but if someone had offended me and tried to organise something for me I didn't want, I would have told them that at the time and explained why. If you didn't feel able to do that and chose to try to leave quietly and complain later, then sneaking out quietly is a fair description, imvho. You also seem unusually concerned about being struck off your GP's list - if your relationship with your GP is that bad, it doesn't sound like a very fruitful relationship all round (certainly not one likely to lower your blood pressure!) and you might be better off in another surgery that shows more tact and sensitivity.

Instead of all the fuss about opting out- why don't you just ignore the letters? I do. Because I've had them privately for years every 2 years- partly because of my age the NHS only offers them every 5 years ( and having known 3 friends with CN3 discovered at a regular smear appt) and also because I don't want to wait ( as it used to be) weeks and weeks for the results.

Interestingly the results never seem to make it back to the NHS database ( not the GP practice) because I am frequently called for a smear even when I've had 1 privately in the recent past.

Presumably though, GP practices get funding for hitting their targets for screening as they do for children's vaccinations ?

I get annoyed with the constant harrassing for smear tests too. I keep meaning to read up on it to understand the risks better. I think i must be very low risk as i cant have been exposed to hpv. I was judt thinking the other day, once you are married or with long term partner, why cant they test for hpv and if thats negative just opt out until such time circumdtances change. It is annoying they make you feel like its compulsory and dont even outline thr facts and risks properly.

Yes, GPs get funding by hitting cervical screening targets. Before the introduction of the screening and recall system in the late 1980's, there was a low uptake amongst eligible women. After a financial incentive was introduced, the uptake rocketed. Nice to know that it's perhaps not your health that your GP is worried about, but his/her nice fat bonus.

Yes i did think the gp practice must have finsncial incentives.

another you won't have been exposed if both you and an only lifetime partner were virgins. Any other variation and then you will have a risk ..yes? I think- and may be wrong here- that HPV can be transmitted in other ways apart from just PIV.

Rabbitstew.....I think I already explained why I wanted out of the surgery...perhaps I should have just stood there and said excuse me...but I don't want your damn test...keep it to yourself...but didn't.
I have actually only seen my GP 2 times since I have moved into a new area....and actually been on his list for over a year before I was asked to see the nurse for high blood pressure...which sadly is heredatory in my family and has caused both the death of my nan and my mum! So this being something I need to keep a close eye on...I am not happy that I felt this was thrown at me whilst in the room..plus the nurse being called in...me not even being given eye contact and hearing the doc say...make her an appointment on the way out....didn't sit well with me. I am planning on writing an opt out letter...like alot of the other ladies here having received letters over many years (18 for me!)...and destroying them...I now feel cornered. I am rather worried about being struck off after reading some of the comments through this thread....so there you have it....I read about others going through similar which has caused me some concern. TBH.....if I was struck off I would simply complain to someone higher and find a new GP! Just to add Rabbitstew...we are all individuals and act differently in life. Amen for our differences!

I still don't get the 'opt out'- we are not compelled to go- we haven't signed up to it, or 'contracted in' though I suspect a GP could - worst case- ask you to leave the practice is you were not willing to participate in preventative screening especially if they lose funding through it.

They will have a target- if the practice is in an area where uptake is low, then you are likely to be called/ pressured into having it done. If they already reach their target then they are likely to ignore the few women who don't turn up.

It is true, littleme61, that we all act differently in life, and some actions and reactions are more effective and constructive than others.

If you only wanted to know where to find a template for opting out, you shouldn't have posted a diatribe about the inadequacies of your GP's surgery and your personal reaction to it.

Rabbitstew.....I didn't realise there was a troll waiting to pick on my every word...!!! Next time I will save my conversations for nicer people! Get a life!

It would be nice to have had some constructive replies but I must have mistaken this thread as a place where adults posted comments, not school yard brats! Anyone with a brain cell like to continue this thread?

My understanding is that they need an opt out form so that the surgery can reach the target which triggers the payment - the target % is a % of all eligible women minus any opt outs - hope this makes sense. So it s for their financial benefit

littleme61 - perhaps you should consider the tone of YOUR comments before your accuse others of being unconstructive. You have been a combination of whiney, aggressive, defensive and downright rude from the moment you posted. You reacted badly in the GP's surgery, yet you accuse others of having the problem.

I would have, with this situation sprung on me unexpectedly, been too cross and humiliated to reply sensibly, and it would have resulted in me being very rude to the receptionist and walking out in tears. It is made all the worse if it is something I feel strongly about. Leaving and complaining by letter is probably far better, and less likely to get you removed from the GPs list.

It is nice if you can complain correctly at the time, but I need more time to think things out and express them properly, and can understand littleme's situation.

I've had three letters from the GP for cervical screening.

Never been given a blood pressure check or test for diabetes.

Once you are over 40 something, they will send you letters for a health check where they will do these, along with a basic cholesterol test.

www.nhs.uk/Conditions/nhs-health-check/Pages/NHS-Health-Check.aspx

I have not found it useful, as I have had all those tests done recently for other things, so have not gone for it. There is no evidence that having these check ups regularly will help the general population.

At my gps, I saw the doctor and asked for a cholesterol test as I was worried about it and had it done. I am sure you could ask for a nurse appt and they would do a BP and urine test, if you wanted.