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bumbledore
bumbledore Posts: 6 Forumite
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«13456726

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  • fluffnutter
    fluffnutter Posts: 23,179 Forumite
    What's the big deal? If you don't want to go, don't. But it's 30 seconds of your life and then you can forget about it again for another three years.

    I hardly see how offering women an optional screening programme to detect cancer or potential cancers is 'disgraceful'! Like you say, their efficacy might not be proven, and there is a definite problem with incidentosis, i.e. the more you look for stuff, the more you find, even if those conditions are benign. But at the end of the day, no one's forcing you. Just don't go if you don't want to.
    "Growth for growth's sake is the ideology of the cancer cell" - Edward Abbey.
  • System
    System Posts: 178,340 Community Admin
    10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    I'd prefer to be screened at 20. Some under 25s ARE dying, there was a case in the paper the other day. It may be rarer but that doesn't mean it can't happen. I'd be livid if as an under 25 i'd developed cervical cancer and they'd had a chance to spot it. .

    Then again if you'd rather take your chances move to England where we have the 25+ rule.
    This is a system account and does not represent a real person. To contact the Forum Team email forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com
  • My opinion is, if it might save my life, it's worth it whatever my age.

    You're turning down a potentially life saving test because you don't like how a letter is worded.

    Your choice.
  • Valli
    Valli Posts: 25,455 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    edited 28 April 2013 at 7:23PM
    I'm not sure what your point is. Or where you are.

    But a smear test isn't *that* terrible; often they find pre-cancerous conditions and the rates of cervical cancer have fallen, dramtically. Given the fact that it's a relatively simple, low cost procedure I think it's a good idea.

    By screening as many women as possible, regularly, the cancer doesn't have chance to actually 'develop', as cervical erosions and other pre-cancerous conditions are often spotted and early treatment prevents more serious complications.

    But if you don't want to be tested that's your choice.

    Just because high numbers of women are tested and a 'low' proprotion of these have to be recalled for further tests doesn't make the testing a waste of time. It's not invasive; it takes minutes to do, often in a GP surgery.

    read this
    Don't put it DOWN; put it AWAY
    "I would like more sisters, that the taking out of one, might not leave such stillness" Emily Dickinson
    :heart:Janice 1964-2016:heart:

    Thank you Honey Bear
  • pimento
    pimento Posts: 6,243 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts
    If the OP isn't sexually active, the chances of her having cervical cancer is quite low.
    "If you think it's expensive to hire a professional to do the job, wait until you hire an amateur." -- Red Adair
  • divadee
    divadee Posts: 10,609 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    I had pre cancerous cells diagnosed from a smear at the age of 24. This was when you could get smears in England at 18.

    I had treatment and it was successful. I have recently had a smear and the pre cancerous cells have come back (I have yearly smears cos of previous treatment).

    It is your right to refuse the invitation of a smear test, but why would you? I just hope we don't see you on here in a few years telling us you have cervical cancer.
  • Toothfairy4
    Toothfairy4 Posts: 1,398 Forumite
    It's obviously completely optional, you have to give consent for any medical procedure and it is your prerogative to refuse. I am 25, live in Scotland, and two of my friends have been found to have abnormal cells which they had to have treated. A full blown case of cervical cancer is obviously more unlikely the younger you are, but if early cell changes can be detected then i'm all for it.
  • geri1965_2
    geri1965_2 Posts: 8,736 Forumite
    A woman in Bristol died from cervical cancer recently as she was too young for a routine test and they refused to give her one when asked.

    I loathe smear tests - I find them utterly repugnant, but I'm pretty sure the treatment for cancer would be worse.
  • fluffnutter
    fluffnutter Posts: 23,179 Forumite
    bumbledore wrote: »
    Because I question the validity of such a test and how it is made out to be something compulsory.

    'How it's made out to be something compulsory'. Hmm. Is it really? I've always known that every screening is optional, as I'm sure do most other women. Seems like a bad case of user error to me. If you know it's not compulsory (as you seem to) why are you getting so aerated?
    "Growth for growth's sake is the ideology of the cancer cell" - Edward Abbey.
  • ebaybaby
    ebaybaby Posts: 873 Forumite
    I think you're mad, it should start at 20.
    Im sure the families of the young ladies who have passed away due to non-screenings would have rather they been "ordered" for one.
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