Delete thread please!

fluffnutter

fluffymuffy wrote: »

In truth the OP has selected the wrong forum. This is not a discussion forum. A quick search of this thread reveals that the OP was called a Troll about 8 times. On here it's best to be careful of questioning something which the masses go along with.

My own experience is that cervical screening IS in practical effect compulsory. I was literally held by the wrist at the doctor's reception desk (by the receptionist - who was the doctor's wife) and effectively told that if I didn't attend screening there was to be some doubt as to my ability to be responsible for my children.

My GP, (receptionist's husband) simply said that they get more money if more attend and not to worry. He noted on my records that I was opting out. That didn't stop the letters. So I wrote the local screening service (they don't provide an address - I had to ask for one from my GP). That hasn't stopped their letters. They are now in red and an in a (yet) more aggressive tone. (Is someone going to miss their target ££bonus?)

My friend - a consultant obstetrician - said that smears are really best targeted at a particular group, but that would be socially unacceptable. (She doesn't have smear tests.)

And also this article by a Scottish GP, - http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/features/why-im-saying-no-to-a-smear-7577967.html

(She gets the red letters too).

In my first post on this thread I agreed that there may be some question over the efficacy of the current smear test programme. To my mind, that's not the issue, nor the reason the OP was accused of trolling.

There are ways of raising that dispassionately - it's an interesting topic for discussion after all. No, the OP was defensive, banged on about the tests being made out to be compulsory and presented little in the way of back-up for her views. Instead it seemed a personal and provocative rant. That's why I wondered if she were trolling - not for questioning the status quo regarding health screening.

sassyblue

bumbledore wrote: »

I am talking about smear testing under 25s.

Smear testing is a rare cancer for women I am not dismissing smear tests on a whole but for those in my position of being under 25 who are at low risk. I don't appreciate how the fellow women on this thread are being hostile and wishing death or cancer on me or calling me names simply because I have choosen to make an informed decision about my personal health and was looking to have a discussion about it.

It doesn't matter what the statistics are - it happens. If you are having sex then you may be neglecting your health. Your call.

Btw l hope you reported the posts wishing cancer on you, can't say I've seen one but I'm not trawling through.

jellyhead

bumbledore wrote: »

I am talking about smear testing under 25s.

Smear testing is a rare cancer for women I am not dismissing smear tests on a whole but for those in my position of being under 25 who are at low risk. I don't appreciate how the fellow women on this thread are being hostile and wishing death or cancer on me or calling me names simply because I have choosen to make an informed decision about my personal health and was looking to have a discussion about it.

I haven't noticed anybody wishing death or cancer on you, but perhaps those posts have been reported and removed. I think a lot of people have wished the opposite - that you'll get a test.

As for the age of testing I'm in the 'the younger the better' camp. I had my test at 16 when I went on the pill and treatment started well before the age of 25. I think if it's tied up in your mind with sex and taking care of yourself contraception-wise than it becomes a necessary evil rather than something that comes as a complete surprise when you're 25.

Anyway, it's your choice whether to have the test or not. If your issue is the way that the letters are worded then perhaps there's a way you could get involved and influence that, and maybe they'll change the wording on the letters you've been getting.

patchwork_cat

Perhaps the OP should have linked to that article in The Independent that Fluffymuffy did. I will link again http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/features/why-im-saying-no-to-a-smear-7577967.html

lostinrates

johannalf88 wrote: »

Found this thread very interesting!

Just a little tip, I managed to get a smear test done when under 25, by getting a coil fitted. Obviously this might be a one off or something, but they did for me so might be worth thinking about if someone really wants to be tested!

Unfortunately they didn't tell my new drs this, so now I have hit 25 I am getting loads of letters!

Not going to help the people who are worried, but I hated the whole ordeal! I have to gain the courage to book my next one soon, and for some reason they dont seem to like it when you turn up drunk! :rotfl: JOKE! I mentioned the test to my doctor when I saw her last, and she happened to be taking my blood pressure at the time- she was really concerned, by talking about it my blood pressure was going through the roof! :rotfl:

I wish more people would be honest about this. I too find it uncomfortable. Not as uncomfortable as many other things I do daily, or even recreationally, but momentarily uncomfortable just short of painful. I cannot remember if I cramp afterwards, I don't think so, I will say tomorrow if I do. I remember really resenting the nurse doing it telling me 'not to bite my lip, it didn't hurt'......I felt it, it's up to me to decide whether its pain free or not! (Tbc I wouldn't make a fuss anyway, I just hate being told how I feel when only I know)

Anyway, my smear is tomorrow, In effort to distract the nurse from the embarrassment I understand I am meant to feel at flashing my bits I have painted my toenails a nice shell pink. Unfortunately I have done that rather badly and I am now embarrassed she's wonder if I painted my toenails with one of those long handled barbecue basting brushes.

tayforth

lostinrates wrote: »

I wish more people would be honest about this. I too find it uncomfortable. Not as uncomfortable as many other things I do daily, or even recreationally, but momentarily uncomfortable just short of painful. I cannot remember if I cramp afterwards, I don't think so, I will say tomorrow if I do. I remember really resenting the nurse doing it telling me 'not to bite my lip, it didn't hurt'......I felt it, it's up to me to decide whether its pain free or not! (Tbc I wouldn't make a fuss anyway, I just hate being told how I feel when only I know)

Anyway, my smear is tomorrow, In effort to distract the nurse from the embarrassment I understand I am meant to feel at flashing my bits I have painted my toenails a nice shell pink. Unfortunately I have done that rather badly and I am now embarrassed she's wonder if I painted my toenails with one of those long handled barbecue basting brushes.

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

Go for a vajazzle next time, that'll do the trick!

:rotfl:

patchwork_cat

bumbledore wrote: »

Do you think I'm basing my opinion on one article?

Regardless as a new poster I can't post links but for those that are interested the GP who wrote the article has a blog that might be of interest to other posters, google.

OK you can't post links. Whether you are influenced by that article or not I wouldn't know, however it would have given others an interesting read. If you are truly wanting a discussion, as you state, would have added more interest to the argument.

time2deal

Thanks patchwork cat,

It is an interesting article, and at least it more considered that the OP's approach.

The posters here are just giving another point of view, and I think that in a relatively small group here there have been some real examples of how it has helped. The truth is you are not forced to do anything to your body, but I still think the benefits outweigh the risks.

For me personally (and not aiming this at the OP) I feel it would be almost disrespectful for me to decline the test when it is given as a free choice. We are so lucky to have this choice, and the chance to save ourselves from a disease that used to silently kill. It's hard to think of another test that so clearly reduces the risk of a silent killer, before it is able to take hold.

I do think that perhaps a test for HPV would also be a good idea, so you can increase the frequency for high risk people (including men).

I admit it's hard for me to be objective. Without being too dramatic my smear test has saved my life - and certainly saved my fertility.

lostinrates

tayforth wrote: »

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

Go for a vajazzle next time, that'll do the trick!

:rotfl:

I think they look like they would be itchy.

I could draw a happy face somewhere intimate, or on the inside of each thigh?



Fwiw, it has occurred to me that for women doing this for the first time or those who are really embarrassed or nervous it is worth running through things that help those who are embarrassed. My friend ( a fragrant professional with few hang ups, confessed in an email today she won't consider wearing trousers on smear day because she is worried the area might 'sweat' and be not at its least odiferous. I think it's quite funny, but if it makes her feel confident then its perfectly valid.

daisiegg

time2deal wrote: »

I do think that perhaps a test for HPV would also be a good idea, so you can increase the frequency for high risk people (including men).

The smear test does test for HPV I think. That doesn't cover men though of course.