Cervical Cancer Prevention Week 22-28 January 2012

caeler

nickyhutch wrote: »

And if they make the decision not to be screened then go on to develop cervical cancer, does the NHS have the right to make the decision not to treat as it could have been caught earlier and treated for far less?

Nicky I think you make a good point and I suspect it would have been me making the same point but I was worried I'd come across as too emotional.

I think personal choice is actually body choice, no women should ever be made to feel intimidated or pressured about anything however I don't think smears should be optional. But the medical profession need to think about their behaviour and approach and not use scare tactics. Cervical Cancer Prevention Week for me is about sharing better information so women can look after their bodies and health and be in control.

There is some really good information available here: http://www.jostrust.org.uk/links/Downloads-to-download/Factsheet_Cervical_Screening.pdf

A plea from me to who is ever reading, please don't opt out of a smear test because you are scared.

nickyhutch

caeler wrote: »

Nicky I think you make a good point and I suspect it would have been me making the same point but I was worried I'd come across as too emotional.

I think personal choice is actually body choice, no women should ever be made to feel intimidated or pressured about anything however I don't think smears should be optional. But the medical profession need to think about their behaviour and approach and not use scare tactics. Cervical Cancer Prevention Week for me is about sharing better information so women can look after their bodies and health and be in control.

There is some really good information available here: http://www.jostrust.org.uk/links/Downloads-to-download/Factsheet_Cervical_Screening.pdf



A plea from me to who is ever reading, please don't opt out of a smear test because you are scared.

I agree entirely.

j.e.j.

nickyhutch wrote: »

And if they make the decision not to be screened then go on to develop cervical cancer, does the NHS have the right to make the decision not to treat as it could have been caught earlier and treated for far less?

I don't want to take this thread way off topic (!) but fundamentally the right to choose or decline the test is a basic human right. The NHS screening department accede to this.

And btw smears do not always pick up irregularities, hence my saying about the hpv test as back-up. If it was a straightforward case of: people who have smears don't get cancer, people who decline them do, then I'd maybe see your point. It is not that black-and-white.

nickyhutch

Most people who have smears don't go on to develop cancer; those who don't have smears are more likely to do so.

It was just a thought, seeing as the NHS is on its knees and money is tight. If you look after yourself by having smears, we wont have to fork out £££ to pay for treating a disease that may be prevented.

caeler

j.e.j. wrote: »

And btw smears do not always pick up irregularities, hence my saying about the hpv test as back-up.

Another thing that I don't think there is enough information is HPV and sexually transmitted diseases in general and truly understanding the role a condom can play even in a committed relationship.

j.e.j.

Yes, I do take your point Mind you, don't they say about two thirds of illnesses generally are preventable?

Like I said, I am not against the test per se (though I'm sure we women would be very thankful if they ever managed to develop a test that's less intrusive).

The reason I contributed to this thread was because I wanted to put across another point of view. Like many others (I am guessing) I saw the thread and started to feel uncomfortable with the idea of women being made to feel guilty about this. Not everyone needs a smear, which is one very good reason why smears MUST be optional. It's better to be armed with the facts, as I think caeler is aiming at doing by starting this thread.

I will bookmark that jostrust page, - I hadn't heard of it before.

nickyhutch

j.e.j. wrote: »

Yes, I do take your point Mind you, don't they say about two thirds of illnesses generally are preventable?

Probably, and if there's anything we can do to prevent them, we should be doing it.


Like I said, I am not against the test per se (though I'm sure we women would be very thankful if they ever managed to develop a test that's less intrusive).

I'm sure we would, but to be honest, that moment or two of discomfort is nothing compared to the discomfort, pain, stress and worry of treatment for cancer. I know which I prefer. We need to stop fannying around (pardon the deliberate pun) and take responsibility for our health. It's not just the expense to the NHS that bugs me, it's the personal cost - stress and worry for your loved ones, possible death - too.


The reason I contributed to this thread was because I wanted to put across another point of view. Like many others (I am guessing) I saw the thread and started to feel uncomfortable with the idea of women being made to feel guilty about this. Not everyone needs a smear, which is one very good reason why smears MUST be optional. It's better to be armed with the facts, as I think caeler is aiming at doing by starting this thread.

I will bookmark that jostrust page, - I hadn't heard of it before.

I wouldn't want anyone to feel guilty, but then I wouldn't want anyone to develop cervical cancer because they didn't have a 5 minute test every 3 years.

caeler

I really didn't mean to make anybody feel uncomfortable about this or pressurised/intimidated into a test. Starting this thread really came from a genuine and personal place and if I can spread the message so women feel more in control and better informed then I'll feel I've done my bit.

Person_one

j.e.j. wrote: »

(though I'm sure we women would be very thankful if they ever managed to develop a test that's less intrusive).

Well, I don't think the cervix is likely to move to a more accessible place in the near future.

The test should obviously be optional, but women need to be told of the possible consequences of not taking the test, and while this might seem intimidating or scary, its absolutely necessary.

It can't just be "Can we stick this big metal thing up you please? Its for your own good" "actually I'd rather you didn't" "oh ok then".

If you've never been sexually active, I'm sure most would accept that.

caeler

Person_one wrote: »

Well, I don't think the cervix is likely to move to a more accessible place in the near future.

This really made me giggle!!