I don't think I need to go for smear test

[deathbollywood]

have been married for 20 years, we were both each others first sexual partners, given CC is passed through sexual contact, I don't think I need to go for smear tests as I must be v low/no risk?

Where’s the harm in going though?

I'm not medical but I would like to know the answer to your question however if you don't want a smear maybe buy one of these www.check4cancer.com/private-cancer-tests/cervical-cancer

Why not simply discuss it with your GP? Presumably you've missed/chosen not to have five or six already so why now?

If I may be blunt, the only person's sexual history you know about 100% is your own.

Even people who haven't had penetrative sexual intercourse can be exposed to HPV. A smear test is straightforward and free.

Do what you will; but I think smear tests are a great idea for all women.

You should get your smear. It’s not worth the risk. As stated on the nhs link;

‘You can have HPV for many years without it causing problems.

You can have it even if you have not been sexually active or had a new partner for many years.’

For 5 minutes of discomfort is it really worth not getting it done?

www.nhs.uk/conditions/human-papilloma-virus-hpv/

I am same as you OP. DH and I have only been with each other. I have had one smear which was fine and my GP agreed that they were not really necessary going forward. Why would you put yourself through an invasive procedure if the risks of cervical cancer are negligible?

Is this sort of new drive to stop women getting smear tests? I've noticed a lot of this anti-healthcare stuff on here lately.

Don't get smears.
Don't use HRT.
Don't get vaccines.
Trust seaweed.

I have had them previously but am wondering whether I actually need this invasive procedure in my circumstances. Discussing things with my gp - I can't imagine I would be able to get an appointment very easily for such a query!

@vdbfamily

I am same as you OP. DH and I have only been with each other. I have had one smear which was fine and my GP agreed that they were not really necessary going forward. Why would you put yourself through an invasive procedure if the risks of cervical cancer are negligible?

Thanks. My thoughts exactly!

Smear tests are very painful for me and require stirrups and a trip to hospital. I'm over 50 now and have been with the same partner for 25 years. I've spoken to my GP and agreed that I won't go for another one (next due in 4 years). I think if the test was easier on me, I'd still go. There is an assumption that smear tests are 'just a bit unconfortable' for everyone. For a fair number of us, particularly as we get older, they are really painful!

I'm considering doing the same OP.
My last smear was horrendous. I was crying and screaming while the nurse was getting more irritated. She made me feel like I was causing a fuss over nothing but what she was doing to me was more painful than labour. She had to try 4 different sized speculums (specula?). As they don't check the cells any more and I've been in a monogamous relationship for 15 years, I'm probably going to decline the next one.

I was in a monogamous relationship for 18 years when I was diagnosed with cervical cancer, detected at a smear.

The things I had done as treatment were much more painful than a smear test.

@Appin snap! I thought I'd been in a monogamous relationship for 10 years.

And the brachytherapy was a hundred times worse than any smear test

Discuss it with your GP.

It's very difficult to get off the cervical screening register. I no longer have a cervix - it was removed when I had a hysterectomy - I had to tell my GP practice 5 times before I stopped getting nasty letters telling me off for not having a smear.

I hate having them but as it is also known to be hereditary and my mother had it, I get my checks.

I don't understand anyone that wouldn't have essential health screening. It incredibly selfish to the people around you that love you, they will be the people to look after and care for you should you become ill and it could have been prevented.

I was in a monogamous relationship for 18 years when I was diagnosed with cervical cancer, detected at a smear

I came on to say that even in a long term monogamous relationship you can have issues come up on a smear - but here it is anyway.

You should go, OP. You are lower risk but definitely not zero risk. We are extemely lucky to have this on offer for free - why would you pass up something that could potentially save your life and save your loved ones a lot of grief?

I’ve been with my DH over 40 years, after a smear test 25 years ago, pre cancerous cells were found and treated. Then followed yearly smears for 5 years at a hospital, which were completely fine, she was a special nurse and so good, I never felt a thing. I’ve just turned 60 and now smears are every 5 years, again thinking it would be painful now I’m older, it was pain free and over in seconds.

Am I thick? I didn’t think the point of a smear was to check for stis?! Please Clemons confirm?!

@Amandasummers

Am I thick? I didn’t think the point of a smear was to check for stis?! Please Clemons confirm?!

It’s to check for cervical cancer markers.

Posted to soon. A major cause of cervical cancer is having the HPV virus which is transmitted sexually.

Nuns have previously got CC-I think you should just go

You don't need to go for screening. You need to have one if you have symptoms which give cause for concern.

Its is advised that you should go for screening. However all screening has risks - one of the first replies on this thread said 'whats the harm in having a smear' in a tone which suggests there is no risk at all which I find alarming. That minimises the fact there are risks with screening which you should be fully aware of in order to make an informed choice.

Lack of sexual partners isn't something which is advised as meaning you shouldn't have screening though. So if this fact is the basis of you deciding not to go, its flawed.

I have more sympathy with posters who have been distressed by an intimate procedure. Screening has damaged their mental health and it should not be dismissed nor should people be telling them to get over it or take medication to go again. Thats insane and harmful.

The advice is for screening but its not compulsory and consent has to be free - not laced with emotional blackmail and coercion which always comes up on these threads. Choosing not to have them is a legitimate choice - but even then you should be aware that if you have symptoms you need to get checked out (and this is different from screening).

Make decisions for accurate reasons and that suit your personal circumstances. Its no one else's damn business what you decide - don't get sucked into the blackmail or doing the blackmailing.

@Amandasummers

Am I thick? I didn’t think the point of a smear was to check for stis?! Please Clemons confirm?!

Smear tests on the nhs now only test for hpv.

Only if you are hpv positive do they look at the cervical cells taken during the smear for any abnormalities.

So if you do not have hpv there is no chance of CC being detected until you develop other symptoms.

What are the risks of cervical screening @RedToothBrush ?