Cervical Cancer Prevention Week 22-28 January 2012

Person_one

Abb1e wrote: »

8 GP's in 19 years.

I've recently moved house and haven't registered with a GP for precisely this reason.

Do you tell them about your reasons for not wanting a smear? Do you have a counsellor or a social worker or anybody who could speak to the GP on your behalf?

Its awful that this could stop you getting medical treatment you might need in the future.

Abb1e

Person_one wrote: »

Do you tell them about your reasons for not wanting a smear? Do you have a counsellor or a social worker or anybody who could speak to the GP on your behalf?

Its awful that this could stop you getting medical treatment you might need in the future.

Exactly why should I tell them why I don't want a smear test done?
Is "No, thankyou" not enough?

Person_one

Abb1e wrote: »

Exactly why should I tell them why I don't want a smear test done?
Is "No, thankyou" not enough?

Being practical about it, it seems like the quickest and easiest way to get the result you've wanted for 19 years. You wouldn't have to go into detail.

Think about it from their perspective, you're at risk of cervical cancer but you keep refusing the test without giving a reason, they don't want to upset you they just want to keep you safe!

Abb1e

Person_one wrote: »

Being practical about it, it seems like the quickest and easiest way to get the result you've wanted for 19 years. You wouldn't have to go into detail.

Think about it from their perspective, you're at risk of cervical cancer but you keep refusing the test without giving a reason, they don't want to upset you they just want to keep you safe!

"No, thankyou" is not going into detail.
When last I heard these tests aren't compulsary and I have no obligation to explain my decision to a stranger.

Person_one

Abb1e wrote: »

"No, thankyou" is not going into detail.
When last I heard these tests aren't compulsary and I have no obligation to explain my decision to a stranger.

If saying "No thank you, I have been a victim of assault and am unwilling to undergo that procedure, please flag up on my notes that I do not need to be reminded about this." gets you the result you want, then it seems silly to refuse to do so on principle.

Shovel_Lad

Pardon me for butting in, as a bloke some of the discussion here is above me so I can't comment on the relative merits of the smear tests, but as far as I remember, the GP service is a service I didn't think we had reached the stage where people no longer had the freedom to refuse treatment without being forced to give a reason.

I would imagine that during the 19 years Abb1e says she has been pressurised by her GPs she has tried all sorts of ways to say no, I know I would have, and would feel I was being strongarmed into say yes too when they carried on ignoring me. I doubt you could tell her anything new to do to change this.

What I do know is that the Cancer Screening program is an automated system these days, reminders are sent out by computer and if they are not followed up by the patient, a note is sent to the relevant GP. The GP is incentivised to have as many women screened as they can (aka "paid" - yes it might have something to do with health, but it is also to do with money) Would anyone be surprised if this opportunity for a few more £'s overrode the patients' desire not to be nagged in the eyes of NHS managers?

What is the next step? Having to explain to the doctor why I don't want a flu jab because I'm afraid of needles, only to be told not to be a big baby and being told how many people die of flu? Competent adults should be allowed to decide their own healthcare and not have to explain their decisions.

Abb1e

Person_one wrote: »

If saying "No thank you, I have been a victim of assault and am unwilling to undergo that procedure, please flag up on my notes that I do not need to be reminded about this." gets you the result you want, then it seems silly to refuse to do so on principle.

You said earlier I don't need to go into detail but now I have to say I'm the victim of assualt.
Slightly confused by this. Is not saying I was a victim of assault not going into detail??

Person_one

Abb1e wrote: »

You said earlier I don't need to go into detail but now I have to say I'm the victim of assualt.
Slightly confused by this. Is not saying I was a victim of assault not going into detail??

No, not really, if it is its a detail you've just shared with a lot of strangers on the internet.

But hey, its up to you, I was just trying to suggest a possible way of alleviating 19 years of distress, its your decision if you prefer not to say anything.

Abb1e

Person_one wrote: »

No, not really, if it is its a detail you've just shared with a lot of strangers on the internet.

But hey, its up to you, I was just trying to suggest a possible way of alleviating 19 years of distress, its your decision if you prefer not to say anything.

Yes, completely anonymously using a made up name.

And I'm glad you've realised it's my decision not to say anything.
Except "No, thankyou". Again.

claire16c

I guess the thing is, when you say no thank you, they probably just assume youre like many women who out of fear or embarrassment say no maybe once, but after a couple of letters they go anyway. So therefore they keep sending you the letters and asking you. But after youve got them a few times the letters should stop anyway?

i dont know what else you can do about the doctor asking you face to face though, apart from either saying no thanks, or lying and saying ok just to shut them up?