DIY smear test

[ozzia]

Has anyone seen these? To my shame I saw an article about them on the Daily Fail and wondered if anyone had bought one?

I've never been able to face a smear so this sounded ideal, yes I want to avoid a smear enough to pay £100

Here's a table showing the leading causes of death in men and women in the UK.

The leading cause of death for women is dementia and Alzheimer’s, followed by heart disease and stroke. Cervical cancer doesn't even feature in the top 10 causes of death.

This table shows that the most common cancer in women is breast cancer, followed by lung and colon and rectum. Cervical cancer doesn't even make the list for the 10 most common types of cancer in women.

I'm curious to know where you've got "one of the biggest killers out there" from? Statistics how that isn't actually the case.

I think women should make an informed decision about whether to have a smear test. Saying things like "biggest killer out there" is not allowing women to make an informed decision and also isn't true.

Fuck off with your 'it takes a few minutes' of discomfort! My last one took 45minute from start to finish, was REALLY painful and there was blood all over the equipment. I always struggle with smears and this was the worst one yet, it took my 3mths of trying to pluck up the courage to go.

I was reluctant to post that as I certainly don't want to frighten anyone who is nervous but please don't dismiss 'Smear fear' as people being prissy over a bit of fanny flashing and a 'minutes discomfort' :( :(

Statistics show, not how.

I agree that it isn't one of the 'biggest killers' but that doesn't mean that screening isn't hugely important. My aunty died from cervical cancer in her 40s. She died a horrible, painful death. A death that could have been prevented as she had missed all her smears.

I also think there's a lot of misinformation about what a smear test actually does. It is not a test for cancer and it is not a diagnostic tool.

It is a screening tool. It does not detect cancer, it merely detects abnormal cells.

These abnormal cells may go on to be cancer at a later date...however they may not and may go away by themselves without treatment. I read somewhere that most abnormal cells detected in smear tests go away by themselves without the need for treatment.

I agree that screening is important. However I think women should be informed about how low her chances of cervical cancer actually are so she can make an informed decision.

Saying things like "biggest killer out there" is not allowing women to make an informed choice. It's just scaremongering and not true.

Worldwide, it's the second most common type of cancer in women WHO stats here

And whilst it might be fairly easy to treat if caught early, how can it be treated if not caught at all?

Sorry that was worded wrong, it's the fourth most common killer in terms of cancer.

I'm sorry to offend but as someone who lost a parent because she was too scared to get screened and tested and had cancer everywhere in the end I am pretty feisty about the subject. I don't think home testing would be as reliable.

I talk as someone who put the first one off and off because I was terrified. It isn't pleasant but I feel very strongly people should go.

However I won't post anymore on this thread.

Again, smear tests do not detect cancer. And women should be allowed to make an informed choice about whether or not to have one. Saying things like "biggest killer" is not allowing them to make an informed choice.

I'm always amazed how many people are so invested in what other women choose to do with their fanny.

I've tried to have a smear test twice now. Both ended up in disaster.

I just ended up crying on the nurses shoulder and on the verge of a panic attack before I could even get to the couch.

I've been raped in the past and just found the experience very triggering. If I find it triggering without even having the smear and just going to an appointment I dread to think what state I will be in if I actually had the smear.

I also have autism and as a result have sensory issues. Been touched by people I don't know can be very upsetting for me.

The difficulty with not being able to face smear tests is if someone did avoid all tests and ended up with cervical cancer then surely there'll be a load of hugely invasive examinations/ treatments needed which would be loads more traumatic

You do realise that you're allowed to turn cancer treatment down, right? Nobody is going to force you to have treatment for cancer if you don't want it.

A cervical smear is a sample of cells which are looked at for any change in their formation. These changes can be a precursor to a cancerous growth
developing and so smears act as a kind of warning. Bad cell formation does not mean you have cancer just that you may develop it and so you need keeping an eye on. It not only saves lives but in some instances lengthy uncomfortable treatment as well .
A friend of mine lived abroad in her twenties for several years in a country not offering smears. Back in the UK we ended up bundling her in a car and taking her to hospital as she was bleeding so heavilly . She was not only lucky to be alive but narrowly avoided a full hysterectomy.She cannot have children and all because she did not have smears

From a medical point of view of course it is a quick, safe, and easy procedure, It is also quite cheap as well .So of course the goverrnment are going to do it. It gives a high level of protection and so going to this simple test is really worthwhile.

It's an optional test. People shouldn't be bullied or pressurised into having a test that is optional.

Cervical cancer itself is thankfully rarer than it was, BECAUSE IT IS BEING DETECTED EARLY DURING SMEAR TESTS!!

No it is not rare

If i hadn't had regular smears i wouldn't be here. Its as simple as that.

I do understand that for some women it is a traumatic experience - more needs to be done to help these women overcome their fears (which may have been brought on by past experience/abuse etc).

Can't be bothered to get a smear? you're a twat!

Can't be bothered to get a smear? you're a twat!

Yes that's very understanding of you .

And yes cervical cancer is rare.

you do not fall into that category though Toads, you fall into the catogory above and yes, you are perfectly entitled to refuse screening/treatment but woldn't it be better if it were made less traumatic for you?

As far as I'm concerned, if it's not your body or your fanny, then it's none of your business what happens to it.

but woldn't it be better if it were made less traumatic for you?

Well yes but I don't see how that is possible.

I still don't think someone is automatically a twat because they make a different decision to you.

I don't have any past history why I wouldn't have a smear I will say that first.

If I chose not to have smears because I didn't fancy it or they were awkward I would be a twat. If I was to get a cancer that could have been detected I would put my husband and child through a load of emotional pain and financial hardship that could have been prevented.

I completely get that some people find smears exceptionally difficult but some people just can't be arsed and don't think the worst could happen to them.

TheoriginalLEM I've not seen anyone on this thread not having a smear as 'they can't be bothered' twats or otherwise!!

If I chose not to have smears because I didn't fancy it or they were awkward I would be a twat

No you wouldn't.

Also IME women who don't have smear tests aren't just doing it because they can't be bothered. There's nearly always an underlining reason.

There is a very strong link between HPV and cervical cancer, that's why people are discussing HPV tests and Smears in the same breath. In Canada it's actually called a Pap smear en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pap_test and they are looking for irregularities caused by hpv.
Cervical cancer can of course have other causes but HPV is way up there.
I have a friend who is a virgin and has been told she doesn't need smears as she is not sexually active.