This post has been created to provide an additional forum for discussion, and is a continuation of the old Blogcritics’ Unnecessary Pap Smears discussion. The original Blogcritics Unnecessary Pap Smears discussion had more than 10,000 comments, but the comments were deleted following changes to the Blogcritics’ site.
Fortunately, the comments from Blogcritics have since been recovered and are preserved here: http://unnecessarypapsmears.wordpress.com/2013/07/12/over-10000-lost-comments-on-unnecessary-pap-smears-find-a-home/ This post also provides a ‘part three’ continuation of the ‘part two’ discussion forum that exists on this site: https://forwomenseyesonly.com/2013/09/22/discussion-forum/
Thank you Alex for suggesting the addition of an open forum devoted to discussion on this blog.
forwomenseyesonly 
Hi ladies,
Having a girly night in tonight which means we get a bit daft once the wine kicks in, we got onto the subject of hair styles
(The private ones ) Annette has absolutely nothing I’m a supporter of the landing strip,
and a friend who’s staying with us for a couple of days is completely au natural
this has left us wondering if the nurses that pester so persistently have little Hitler ones, in line with the regime they serve.
Hugs Jules x.
OMG Jules, thats brilliant. One of the “Patronising Cows” on a youtube video said it doesnt matter either way as she has seen it all. I just commented I dont care I am still not interested.
Despite the sorry state of the world I hope everyone manages to have a happy holiday. Thanks for keeping this site up and running.
Sue xoxo
Hi ladies,
I second that last comment, and wish all the wonderful women on the site a terrific Christmas and a fantastic new year.
Hugs Jules & Annette xxx.
Merry Christmas everyone!
Thanks for all the support and discussion here. Great to see women supporting each other like this and being welcoming to open discussion.
Hugs,
Ozphoenix
Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year to everyone on this site. I sense very much that we’re winning!
Hi ladies,
Well friends that’s yet another year passed and somehow we are all still here, despite those murderous vagina’s we own trying to kill us at every available opportunity ( according to some)
I’ve been reading up on some of the stats from the office of national statistics and according to them 9% of female cancers occur after the age of 75, this raises the question if they can’t find a way to increase their figures for the young, could they be tempted to raise the age limit to try and “recapture women ”that have been released from the program at 65 to bolster their figures as the majority of these women have been mostly compliant in the past
Hugs Jules x.
Hi ladies,
I could do with a little help, I’ve been searching for just how prevalent cervical cancer actually is , and there is conflicting information on most of the searches I’ve undertaken, some have said that cervical cancer is the 16th others the 18th and on one report that it’s not even in the top 20, does anyone know the actual “true figure”,during my search on the cancer research uk site I noticed that they now report that breast cancer has now taken over the number one top spot (overtaking lung and bowel cancer) to become the number one female cancer, so ladies don’t forget to conduct you’re own little checks,
nobody knows you’re boobs better than yourself, the only thing that is wrong with mine is that one appears to be slightly smaller than the other, which has always been the case anyway.
Hugs Jules x.
Here is the data you need if you live in the US: https://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/cervix.html
Mouse over year marks in the graph to get per 100k incidence rates. Cervical cancer is relatively uncommon and risk factors (smoking, sex stuff and being a DES daughter) are well understood.
One problem is that most sites only provide the top 10 cancer related causes of death. To get the top 20 with any degree of accuracy you will probably have to run some of the numbers yourself.
Another problem I suspect you are running into is likely the same problem I have run into: there are multiple sets of data on cancer statistics. In the US rates vary by state, ethnicity, socioeconomic status and, of course, by actual risk factors. Someone will do something to the data set to adjust for some risk factor or other and then that data set will be used incorrectly down the line by someone else to make a claim that the data set shouldn’t ever have been used to make.
This is most common in popular press articles by authors who make claims not supported by the study they are covering. Though the whole field of science surrounding cervical cancer is like a slightly intoxicated game of telephone.
For example, wikipedia claims that the pap smear prevents 80% of cervical cancer. It doesn’t. No one knows how much, if any, preventative value the pap smear has. I may or may not know, I’m getting my data reviewed to make sure I didn’t screw up somewhere, but, thus far, there is no published study that looks at differences in outcomes between women who have had or not had the pap smear. The origin of that 80% claim, which you can find by going through a chain of four citations, ends with an IARC report on cervical cancer, in finland specifically. IARC does say what wikipedia claims they say. Instead, they say that, since the introduction of the pap smear, cervical cancer rates have declined in finland by 80%. Which is true. But you will also note that they aren’t saying its because of the pap smear. Two things can occur at the same point in time and not be causally linked. I would speculate that they want the reader to draw that conclusion, but they aren’t saying it because they can’t prove it. And they can’t prove it because its almost certainly not true.
Finland had some of the highest use rates of DES of any country in the world until it was withdrawn as a pregnancy medication. Essentially every pregnant woman in the country between about 1930 and about 1970 was on it. DES is a known cause of cervical cancer in DES daughters (children of mothers who took DES during pregnancy) boosting risk rates by between 100-400%. In 1970 this was widely known and DES use was discontinued. Meaning no further DES daughters were born after about 1970. This was also about the same time the pap smear was introduced so it is easy to make unsupported claims provided no one actually does proper statistical work, or a cursory literature review. So, yes, cervical cancer rates declined, but it probably had little if anything to do with the pap smear and everything to do with discontinuing a drug that caused high rates of cervical cancer in first generation daughters.
The entire field is like this. I come from a psych research background and I thought that field was bad, but its nothing compared to this.
I will note that HPV testing has some preventative value that is backed by data and my own statistical work, but even it isn’t 80%.
Thanks anonymous,
When I have a little more free time I will continue to try and uncover its true position.
Hugs Jules x.
Another year, another “awareness” campaign
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-11667255/From-pain-constipation-Tell-tale-symptoms-cervical-cancer-REVEALED.html
The opening is particularly disgusting, adding the US with the UK so they can use the term thousands to sound scarier.
I saw this in the Daily Fail yesterday, unlike last year I havent seen those vulgar TV adverts saying to get your cervical screening done. Maybe its been a bit toned down this year although twitter and youtube are in overdrive from the cervix stazi.
https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/cancer-smear-test-false-negative-b2268853.html
Another one where the smear test was negative but lady went to see GP with symptoms 3 years later and got cancer diagnosis. As in the Irish cases they won’t admit that the test is wrong, always that someone failed to assess the slide properly. Straight to solicitors to get massive NHS payout. I hope it’s a big one for this woman’s family’s sake, but hope also that they realise they can’t keep on paying out like this, and need to admit publicly that the test is useless and well past its sell-by date. Hopefully it will speed them up into ditching it altogether for voluntary HPV self-testing.
Hardly anyone buys a newspaper these days and some still behind a paywall. Hopefully it will mean a big reduction in these rubbish stories.
Jess, I have to laugh at some of these comments on twitter as the topic seems to irritate everybody, screeners and non-screeners alike. Still a load of people who think the low turnout is due to the NHS not using the word “woman” in their invitations. As if that could possibly be a reason for women not to go! We get sent these invitations (summons demands) addressed to us personally. They have our name on the envelope and our name on the top of the letter. Now, how can any idiot still think that because the word “woman” is missing from the brochure, that this couldn’t possibly apply them? I almost enjoy seeing the anger that these campaigns generate, if for the wrong reasons.
Here we go again – the 2023 smear campaign is ramping up! https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-64337138
Interesting, this daily fail article. Not the drivellous article but a good few comments are, women know what’s normal for them and stop scaremongering, and one woman said she had that pain and was diagnosed with spondylitis!! Maybe the ride is turning away from this test!
Recently I’ve read that a skin cancer on a hand was attributed to HPV.
Any comments? Does this make you think about getting HPV vax?
Cat and mouse I shall be stampeding ro doctors and refusing to leave til I had it lol
A friend of mine who is a rape survivor asked me to quantify the risk of not having a pap smear after her doctor wasn’t able to. I am disabled and functionally retired now, but prior to becoming disabled I did a lot of work with data science and research validation. I thought this would be a 30 minute question, because it is a nationwide screening program and nothing without strong supporting data ought to have become a nationwide screening program. A year’s worth of research later I have had to rethink some of the assumptions I made about scientifically grounded health care.
So far as I can tell, both for reasons listed on your site and from data analysis of historical statistics that I don’t see listed on your site (which isn’t surprising, I appear to be the first person to have run the numbers and then tried to do anything with that data, which ought not to be the case, its simple statistics) the pap smear has between very little and no preventative value. It was never subjected to a RCT. Indeed, so far as I can tell, we have no evidence that it has any preventative value whatsoever, other than my own work, which shows very little between a sample population of 315k women in CA between 2003-2009 and national SEER data for the same time period. I have FOIAed CA twice for the data I need to determine if this small preventative value holds up for cervical cancer rates only in their state, rather than nationwide. They have ignored both of my requests and have not even confirmed receiving them. My state’s health department has agreed to look over the data I have and I am writing it up for their review, minimally, they should be able to point out any statistical mistakes I may be making. Obviously I don’t think I am mistaken, but the point of a scientific process is to verify that I am not. It appears to me that we got into this mess by the arrogance of a few men who failed to adequately follow the scientific method. The only way out of it will be to rigorously follow the scientific method and produce conclusions that are backed by hard data.
I will state that HPV testing (as opposed to the pap smear) does seem to have preventative value, however (1) cervical cancer is rare enough that testing probably shouldn’t be part of a nationwide screening campaign and should be risked based and opt-in instead (2) one study found that non-invasive urine tests for HPV achieve 85% of the accuracy that HPV testing does, which would provide a non-invasive method of screening for that segment of cervical cancer caused by HPV, which I feel comfortable stating is at least half of all cervical cancer based on the data I have seen and (3) a mandatory screening program of this kind may have unintended outcomes, such as medical avoidance, among a significant portion of the female population who are sexual assault survivors (or who simply don’t want to be badgered about the procedure) the detrimental health outcomes that may arise as a result of medical avoidance (and resultant delayed diagnosis and delayed treatment of unrelated conditions) has never been evaluated when considering the possible harms caused by a screening program of this kind. But it has been considered with regard to the prostate exam in men, which is one reason the USPSTF no longer recommends the prostate exam. I am not able to identify an explanation for this oversight other than sexism.
I made a bit of progress that I would like to share here. The CDC had a statement on their cervical cancer page to the effect of 1) cervical cancer used to be the leading cancer related cause of death among women and 2) now it isn’t primarily because of the pap smear. I FOIAed them and asked that they provide a citation to support that claim, because I couldn’t find one. I got a very nice reply for a co-author of the symposium that the CDC was incorrectly citing in support of their incorrect claim. That author stated that cervical cancer never was a leading cancer related cause of death among women and confirmed that the CDC was incorrect in making that statement, they added that historical data collection methods, which grouped unrelated kinds of cancer together, may have provided support for this statement, but they also felt that this grouping wasn’t scientifically valid. From this they stated the statement itself was incorrect. That statement, along with the claim that the pap smear is the primary cause of lower cervical cancer rates among women, has now been removed from that CDC page.
I have more to say on this topic, but my last attempt to post here never appeared that I could tell, possibly because I included citation URLs. So I’ll cut it off here.
Wow, thanks for that Just Commented, it backs up everything we know!
I did my own research a long time ago and could not find anything that justifies the mass rape of women in search of this rare cancer. Its never made sense the amount of attention cervical cancer rates verses lung cancer, heart disease and others in women, which occur far more often and are pretty much ignored.
No doctor has ever been concerned about the state of my heart but I’ve been asked plenty of questions about the state of my cervix and am I up to date with burning or cutting it (as is done to most women after an innocent smear)!
Hi Oz , how’s things.
As you’ve probably read , here in the Uk we are currently experiencing yet another cervical smear campaign , I don’t know how much these things cost to run ( probably too much )
but with the cost of living so high the country over two and a half trillion in national debt strikes up and down the country including staff that work for the NHS, I’m pretty sure the money could be better spent on other thing’s other than an inaccurate test that a lot of women deplore and the cause of over treatment of thousands, but no, their precious test is far too important for them to abandon, if it wasn’t so serious it would be comical.
Hugs Jules x.
I just wanted to comment and say I am so glad I found this website and that many of you feel the same as I have felt about this topic for many years. I am nearing 26 years old and have evaded the pressure and coercion of this ridiculous procedure. I will say that I always lacked an inclination to have it performed because I have always been skeptical of the medical procedures that physicians pressure women into undergoing—so I always pushed the idea that I “needed” a Pap smear, miles out of out my mind. However, after years of not going to a doctor for a regular routine check-up, I visited one last week and was asked the question “when was your last Pap smear?” I must say, being asked such a question with the implication that it was something I SHOULD have already done, was quite infuriating and offensive. Luckily, my physician only briefly asked me why I opted out, and I expressed that I am aware of the rarity of cervical cancer and how overused paps are, and that considering my partner and I have only been with one another, it was an extremely low risk for cervical abnormalities or cancer anyway, so why would I undergo something that I don’t need/want?
I have spent the last week doing my research because it is not only important for my own personal benefit, but I have found even more information (along with this website) that confirms my suspicions and exactly what I have felt/thought all along about this unnecessary, invasive, and repulsive procedure. I will always refuse (unless absolutely necessary—although the list would be short I imagine—visit a gynecologist).
I’m happy to hear that women in some countries have the ability to self-test if they see fit. I wish that was more commonplace in the United States—I have only found a few self-tests available for HPV here. If I see fit, I know that is an option and again, demonstrates that I don’t need someone else to touch my genitals. I wish I could get past how upsetting the prevalence and brainwashing regarding Pap smears is. It seems many women follow suit with these procedures without question, not knowing what they’re getting themselves into. It is almost as if they believe it is mandatory, and that if they don’t, this invisible monster called “cervical cancer” is waiting to attack them at any turn, if a doctor isn’t having them spread eagle to inspect every inch of their genitals, every spare minute they have. They grin and bear it when they really don’t have to. At least I can save myself.
Thank you for this forum and also for reading my long winded post. I have been holding this in.
Hi Everyone,
Hopefully none of us on here have been further brainwashed by the ongoing screening campaign. I haven’t seen the TV advert this year, but while watching TV the other night it made me wonder do some women actually enjoy going for a smear test? I don’t mean in the sense that they get some gross sexual pleasure from it more sort of that for the ten minutes or however long you are in there for they are centre of attention.
I saw a video on Youtube a while ago where a you woman of 24 and a half had been waiting for her letter to arrive for months and as soon as it did she went running into the next room to tell her mum and in the video said that she now felt like a true woman and booking her smear test was like a rite-of-passage. She then filmed on the morning of the appointment in full make up saying she was leaving in 10 minutes etc and waxed the day before, then filmed the minute she got back saying it was over in 30 seconds, didn’t hurt, the nurse was lovely, and ending by saying we all must go as its so important. Personally that I feel that she actually enjoyed the experience, boasting about it before, showing her body off like that, then boasting about it again afterwards. Maybe if you did a pie chart on the reasons why women attend cervical screening the percentages could read something like this:
20 percent attend as they genuinely think this is of some benefit
30 percent attend as they have been coerced by their GP or Nurse when trying to get contraception
20 percent attend as although its not pleasant they have always attended as all women “have” to have this test
20 percent attend as a follow from a previous positive/ false positive
10 percent attend as they enjoy going and can boast about it on youtube/twitter/mumsnet
Maybe the numbers need some tweaking but hopefully you will understand where I am coming from. Does anyone else on here think this way?
Jess
Jess…: oh yea!! Rite of passage and becoming a woman when you get your first “invitation “
VOMITABLE
Thanks Kat 🙂 I am tempted to post a link to the Youtube video on here, as you say pass the sick bag.
https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/cervical-screening-programme/cervical-screening-programme-coverage-statistics-management-information
If you live in the UK these statistics have just been published today. You can look up your own GP surgery screening figures by scrolling down to the datasets near the end and selecting your local area. The overall uptake results for the UK are still going down.
My right of passage is saying “No.”
I can’t stand these women who do this. Unfortunately, I think screening is talked about in secondary schools, and girl guides. My daughter told me. They talk about it amongst themselves and there’s a lot of peer pressure to see who’s been and had it done first. It makes me sick just thinking about it. Those 24 year olds putting on their make-up and posting selfies as they trot off to their chav test, then saying it’s over in minutes, but they haven’t had the result yet. How do they know they aren’t going to be called back for a never ending round of cervix scarring? Then these women turn up on these chat shows promoting it like they’re martyrs. I can barely keep the sick down just thinking about this…
In the US, where I am, add as a reason “Employer demands it for insurance coverage reasons.” I don’t know if this is the correct place to post this question/concern or not (I’ve been out of the loop for awhile) but I’m pretty upset today. I start a new job at a university this Monday and they are making me do a medical tomorrow. I’ve no clue what it will entail. I have successfully avoided doctors except for very specific things, for several years now. Now this medical evaluation is being forced on me tomorrow. They’ve set me up with a woman practitioner. I don’t care. I refuse to remove clothing. My fear is being coerced into taking off my clothes and getting violated as a condition of starting my job Monday. I didn’t know they were going to do any of this when I accepted the offer. I need the job. I know you all are in UK and laws are different there, but I could really use some support here. I’m super upset. I’m also older and docs love to tell me how “at risk” I am. How do I say no and keep my job? Are any site moderators in the US?
Shelli, for starters, what kind of job is it? Management and money? Or just a prescreen and drug test as many in US have? If they are paying for it, they get the results.
It’s your right to know what, in advance, they are looking to do. As it’s also your right to accept or deny them permission.
US person here—Any exam like that is ELECTIVE. It is not legally required and a doctor cannot make you do it. An employer cannot make you do it either. A physical really will entail just questions about your health, take your blood pressure, urine sample, blood sample, maybe an EKG. But it should NOT entail any genital exams. I was not asked to remove my clothing at my physical exam. They might ask you about your last Pap smear. You can tell them you have made a personal choice not to undergo screening because you accept the small risk (1% risk of cancer) and you do not wish to speak about it further. You can really say any reason you want. The key words you can use are “I am not comfortable and I don’t want it.” I find that to be key in shutting them down. My provider (and more providers as of recently) are more respectful of our choices and reasonings behind them. I can’t speak for previous decades, but I can imagine doctors were way more coercive and pressuring, especially for women-specific exams. Luckily, that’s changing. Also, it may be of benefit to you to know that there are HPV home tests for purchase in the US. you can check out Everlywell or MyLabBox. It is a simple vaginal swab, not cervical. It is just as accurate as a physician doing it and you mail it to the lab yourself. You can also say that’s how you prefer to screen. HPV tests are more accurate and many developed countries have shifted to that testing method solely. But that’s also your choice if you even wish to do that. Good luck. I’m here if you need more support and advice.
These self or at home HPV tests. Can you please tell me where to get them and what brand names they go by? Is Delphi Screener included? Cost?
Thanks in advance.
Hi!
If you are in the US, you can get them from Everlywell or MyLabBox. Here is the link to the one on MyLabBox that I personally have used:
https://www.mylabbox.com/product/cervical-screening/
The kit includes a q-tip that is used to take a vaginal sample (not cervical) so it only goes in just a bit and you swab for about 10-20 seconds. You put it in the test tube, place it in the box, and ship it off to the lab. It will tell you if you have high risk HPV and I believe is more than 99% accurate. That one is a little pricy at $89 but I like it because it’s called the “cervical cancer screening” test so when I give the results to my doctor, it “looks” more comprehensive and “seems” like it’s still a traditional Pap smear. If you use the code MLB30 it’ll bring it down to $60.
You could also go with Everlywell’s option which is around $50. They send the results to the same lab as MyLabBox and it is also 99% accurate. The test is performed the exact same way.
I’m not sure of your country and age but in the US, the American Cancer Society “recommends” HPV testing over Pap smears and recommends them only every 5 years (ages 25+). I’m strictly relying on these HPV tests for my screening measures (when I feel is appropriate). Several developed countries have followed suit. Let me know if you have any questions!! I’m so happy I found these home tests (and I feel more people are receptive to being recommended home HPV tests over telling them they don’t need to screen period).
Thanks. When I did the Trovagene test in 2012 cost was $140US with insurance or $120US cash.
My husband found it for me and even rode the doctor’s office staff enough that they refused to talk to him. Apparently the veiled threat the doctor would go to jail if he didn’t pap me, and my husband calling them out, wasn’t what they expected. So after five talks with the doctor it was finally ordered.
One of the best medical days of my life.
A partner doctor asked my husband why a woman would want that over him performing the test. He didn’t like my husband’s blunt answer.
When you need these asshole doctors later in life you can’t get them to stay in the room long enough to even explain the issues.
But when you’re young you can’t get them to leave your vagina alone.
Oh wow! I’m sorry about what you have had to deal with. Im glad your husband advocates for you. Many men are unaware of the atrocities of women’s health and how they are treated. I’m in my later 20’s and I have avoided (I guess I shouldn’t use that word but rather I CHOOSE not to visit a gynecologist or undergo those exams). I found a “patient-centered” physician who while she recommends the guidelines (since she is obligated to), also believes in making decisions based on one’s risks, history, comfort, preference, etc. I was asked about when my last Pap smear was and when I had expressed I don’t do them, she wasn’t shocked but rather just wanted to know my rationale. I explained that I’ve been in a strictly monogamous relationship, don’t smoke, don’t take birth control, etc, so I’m very low risk. She didn’t have an argument. I did explain discussions like that are uncomfortable for me, and I don’t want to be asked again about it, and that if I screen, I’d use an HPV home test and give her the results. She was completely understanding and also noted in my chart never to ask about screening again. I’ve always been afraid of seeing physicians (especially after turning 21) because of the coercion I hear about regarding these exams. I wish everyone had a physician like her. I was surprised by her understanding and her respect. I think it is telling that things are changing—albeit slowly. I am going to market those HPV home tests to those I know and anyone inquiring, whenever I can. I already told a friend who is going to use the kit rather than going to the doctor—that’s some progress! I don’t know what woman would prefer a speculum and a doctor’s fingers as opposed to a cotton swab and being able to control how her vagina is touched. Sorry for the anecdotes. I’ve become very passionate about this topic, and seldom are there safe spaces to discuss it.
Hi Shelli,
I went through the same thing for a horrible government job once (I’m in Australia). I managed to fend them off. I refused to remove my clothes and told them I didn’t do pap smears – the woman blinked rapidly at me like she was about to break! LOL
They wanted a urine sample for drug testing. I gave them one, but the stick test showed traces of blood (I was using the pill without a break to stop my periods as they were horrendously heavy but there was always some spotting) and the nurse/doctor went off her nut about it, questioning me about ‘why’ there was traces of blood in my urine (when it was none of her business).
I told her my period was due to start so that must mean it was coming tomorrow! (Smiling at her like we’d discovered something amazing!).
She unhappily accepted that, but it was a horrible experience.
I got the job, but quit shortly after as I was bullied and overworked.
Stand your ground about what you won’t put up with. I would get nasty if they demand to do a pap smear as that’s rape.
Hi ladies,
In regards to all of the smear campaign’s I
don’t think it’s to raise awareness at all (if anyone misses this continuous bombardment of “awareness ”they must be living up a tree in Outer Mongolia) I think that because of the sliding figures, all the publicity that is given is merely to keep the ones that submit to the test in check,
women’s health not really , self preservation more likely.
Hugs Jules x.
Inetresting post Jules, There was a feature on Sky News on Friday saying that overall cancer cases as likely to increase over the next 12 months due to people not being able to get Drs appointments. Then guess what…. instead of showing a guy having his prostate checked or his balls felt they showed archive film of a woman having a mammogram followed by a smear test couch complete with stirrups!! Unconsious bias or what!! Yesterday must have been a quiet news day as at the top of the Daily Fail website was an article by someone urging women to go for smear tests.
Every one of the smear campaign adverts I’ve seen, which feature a woman with cervical cancer have got the disease in spite of cervical screening. Story is always that they were up-to-date devotees of the programme and last test was negative. I suspect solicitors specialising in medical negligence may be behind these, but they are glaring advertisements showing that the test does not work.
https://www.bmj.com/content/380/bmj.p200
and another wonderful screening programme is proved as good as useless
Amazing how blunt they are about it. I can’t imagine the same language used with cervical cancer.
Hi ladies,
I’d almost given up my quest to find the true incidence rate of cervical cancer, many of the statistics differ from organisation to organisation I think that this is a deliberate ploy to confuse and hide the truth. Almost defeated I came up with a different approach, instead of trawling through endless and confusing reports, the answer came to me in a lightbulb moment, to simply search for incident occurrence figures from the office of national statistics here are the results.
Type. No’ of cases
Breast. 55,920
Lung. 48,594.
Bowel. 42,886.
Melanoma skin cancer. 16,744.
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma. 14,176.
Kidney. 13,222.
Head & neck. 12,422.
Brain & central nervous system
12,288.
Pancreatic. 10,452.
Bladder. 10,292.
Leukaemia. 9,907.
Uterine. 9,703.
Oesophageal. 9,272.
Cancers of unknown primary causes. 8,589.
Ovarian. 7,495.
Stomach. 6,453.
Liver. 6,214.
Myeloma. 5,951.
Soft tissue sarcoma. 4,295.
Thyroid. 3,865.
Cervical. 3,197.
Mesothelioma. 2,718.
Testicular. 2,354.
Hodgkin lymphoma. 2,124.
Small intestine. 1,809.
Anal. 1,519.
Vulvar. 1,372.
Gallbladder. 1,130.
Eye. 851.
Penile . 699.
Vaginal. 250.
Although this doesn’t give the actual position of cervical cancer because many of the numbers contain a shared value of both men and women, but you can see that cc is pretty low down the list
which should give some women a little more reassurance, another thing that struck me was the number of prostate cases in men 52,254. Why aren’t medical staff lassoing males as they walk by surgery’s and dragging them in for testing, why no prostate awareness campaign, why no doctor pressure during visits, probably because they have to show more respect to our counterparts or they might get a slap , maybe this should be our attitude. The figures I’ve used are from the years 2016 to 2018 and were published in January 2020. So the next time you get any pressure off the doc to screen, tell him you would love to, as long as he screens you for the twenty or so more prominent cases of cancer first.
Hugs Jules x.
Jules, I’d been trying to research for the actual figures myself and come to dead ends. I think the problem is that the HPV vaccination has made any new cases non-existent and they are at a wait and see stage to see how this develops. Had read somewhere that although the HPV jab is for a limited number of HPV types, it has had surprising cross-protection against other types too. The publicity cases we’ve seen in the media tend to be 30+ something women who would have just missed out on the jabs. I also read on Cancer Research UK website that the most common age of death from cervical cancer is 85. Can’t see Jo’s Tosh using 85 year olds in their publicity. Some countries are claiming to be cervical cancer-free by 2030 if not before. I think they’re keeping very quiet on the actual figures to prevent women realising that it’s all a waste of time.
Hi adawells,
I think you are quite right in assuming that Jo’s would like to keep the age figure of 85 under wraps, as the main target age is far younger and a lot of women knowing this fact would simply feel that it wouldn’t concern them and not go for their appointment, and greatly affect their overall screening numbers another point is that screening stops at 64-65 and from what I’ve come to understand , how many doc’s would try coercion and pressure tactics on an 85 year old when they probably prefer to examine 27-28 year old slim attractive athletic pretty subject
seams like a no -brainier to me and probably they feel the same.
Hugs Jules x.
Morning Ladies (and people with a cervix).
I need to vent as I have seen another link on twitter stressing the “importance” of having this test, its the usual nonsense (over in 5 minutes, nurse really lovely, uncomfortable but didnt hurt). Sorry to share this with you but its given me an idea:
https://rachaelstray.com/cervical-screening-smear-test-what-to-expect/
If ever we have a forwomenseyesonly social meet up one of the “icebreakers” at the start should be a game called Smear Test Bull**** Bingo. We each get a bingo type card with smear test related words and phrases and the someone calls the words out. The first person to cross off all their words yells Bull**** and wins a prize!.
Jess.
This reminds me of a word search puzzle I saw once in a nurses magazine. All the words were to do with cervical screening. Funnily enough, none of the words like scam, misinformation, bullying, consent, could be found in the puzzle!
A word search about smear tests? My favourite word springs to mind, Vomitable! Seriously I just ate too!!
Just goes to show you it truly is a game.
Hi ladies,
How I missed this I’ll never know, it’s been noted in a few daily tabloids ( including the daily fail) how a new test for breast cancer could be on the way, and it’s absolutely incredible, a professor at Hallam Sheffield university who also works with the police in forensic cases called Simona francese has discovered that when she processed finger prints for dna that there was a protein also detected which has the potential to be 98% accurate in the detection of breast cancer, just think ladies no more squished boobs all that would be involved would be to order a glass slide something similar to the old smear test sample slide ( yuk) and then rub a finger on it as if you were getting rid of a smudge send it back for analysis and then await the results no removal of any clothes no pain and almost 100% accurate, could things finally be getting better, I hope so it’s taken bloody long enough.
Hugs Jules x.
Hey ladies! first off, thank you all for the above posted HPV self test, i’ve been meaning to self test for a while, although i believe that my concerns are gone. i am so mad at Healthgrades, they sent out an email with all the tests you should do- one of them was a pap smear and breast screening. Although they did say in the article that one can do this every 3 years. Their wording was so off, and not even that, but not even considering that the pelvic exam is very uncomfortable. Like in my case, i have asked for a pedriac speculum, and all the gynos that i been to refuse to follow my requests. Even how a speculum is handled can make one uncomfortable! Like are doctors blind- for some if its very uncomfortable, they may avoid it! Hence us! I deleted the email in the recycle bin right away, but jeez. Even breast screenings can hurt certain people, especially if one has small breasts! You know they should consider the alternative testing options for people who want it. but no mention of that either in the articles.
I also am considering donating to planned parenthood, because i support the access for the abortion pill and services, but am really tempted to also send them a letter with something along the lines of “i support healthcare for women when they need it, but they also shouldn’t be pressured to have a pap smear, or just mention the alternatives to a pap smear should a patient want that. of course, they don’t have to listen but, maybe they can try to improve their services for the future.
Hi Sunflowergal,
Be careful about donating to Planned Parenthood. Their HOPE program (Hormonal Option without Pelvic Exam) where women can get the pill without the pap and pelvic they usually allow only once. I’ve had friends in the USA who were heavily pressured to accept the exams after using HOPE once and denied the pill without the pap/pelvic. Most of them then had to stop using Planned Parenthood and try something else to get the pill without the forced rape.
If you look at their website, right under where they explain what HOPE is, they say they, ‘We will urge you to return for a well-woman visit’. So they still want to do the rape.
I have been reading this site for many years. I always wanted to comment. I never did because my pap nightmare was Planned Parenthood. I know PP is so loved. I was scared to get flamed for going after such a beloved entity.
I was raped when I was twenty. I had a lot of trauma from the rape that I needed a lot of medical care. I was using Planned Parenthood. I would go in weekly and they would give me a pap test every week. Yes, every week for a full year. That is correct I had 52 Pap tests in one year and over 300 in a five year period. I have my charts to prove this.
A nurse told me that I needed so many pap smears because rape victims have a higher chance for cervical cancer.
They also sent me to a doctor who sexually assaulted me several times in his office. I was a scared 20 year old trauma victim, so I didn’t report him. I didn’t think anyone would believe me. He was later arrested and charged when several women did report him for sexual assault a few years after my assaults.
I had so many paps my results were inaccurate, so more and more testing until my body gave out and I gave up.
I have such trauma from this I can’t see any doctors at all. The last medical appointment I had a bad anxiety attack that my blood pressure was at stroke level.
Planned Parenthood did this back in the 1990’s. I found out only a few years ago they were over papping patients to get funding. I will never forgive. I hate this organization with a passion. They were suppose to help and protect me. They abused and assaulted me.
Finding this site several years ago was the first time in my life I didn’t feel so alone knowing other women went through trauma because of irresponsible and needless testing.
OMG, Jasmyne, I am so sorry. That is a nightmare. I’m sorry. No one should ever have treated you like that. Bloody hell!
PP is a medical provider just like any other doctor. From what I’ve heard from other women, they’re not that great either. They try to market themselves as woman-friendly but they’re anything but…
I hope the doctor who hurt you repeatedly was locked up for a very, very long time.
Hi ladies,
I wanted to share this as I think this is something very cool that (hopefully) the US will be implementing soon. While I don’t necessarily think nationwide screening is necessary, I’m all for anything that will keep that g*ddamned speculum out of women’s vaginas. Lo and behold the Teal Health cervical cancer screening test that is being studied to be the first FDA approved HOME test:
https://getteal.com/
Hi ladies,
We had cervical cancer awareness in January, which went largely unnoticed, I never actually saw or heard one advert or plea (fine by me) but last week again unnoticed by me there was an ovarian cancer awareness campaign, a friend of mine from work mentioned it, she said it just mentioned the symptoms that you should present to your gp if they occur, I can just imagine it now all the cervical screening herd stampeding down to their surgeries and demanding an ovarian screen test, such is their ignorance
If they are so concerned about their health why do they not be more pro-active and do some bloody research and save themselves from decades of worry and stress.
Hugs Jules x.
Hi ladies,
I’ve been looking up this ovarian screening awareness campaign, because I hadn’t heard a thing about it turns out it wasn’t an awareness week, it’s supposed to be running for the whole of March .
To be honest I just don’t understand why , the symptoms they describe could apply to a number of different conditions, the only thing I can put it down to is a clever ploy, if a woman has experienced any of the symptoms fear and panic would have her rushing down to the surgery and when she told the doc of her concerns he would have that look on his face as he was reaching for his gloves even though in one report in the USA it only achieved an accuracy of 1% (yep that’s right ) it could even be a ploy just to get women into the surgery so they would get the old “I might as well check you out if you’re so worried crap” and push a pap onto you as well, there are other ways to get a more a more accurate diagnosis insist on a referral for a ct scan or a sonography either the jelly on the belly or if needs be the internal one and then match these up with a ca125 blood test, if ovarian cancer is found at a bi-manual exam it’s pretty much game over any way that’s why it’s been mostly discontinued because of it’s poor diagnostic qualities many doctors now admit it was a relic from the past which simply became a ritual and was unfit for purpose, so tell him where he should put his gloves and book you a referral for a more reliable test.
Hugs Jules
Hi Everyone,
I have just seen this on the Daily Fail website:
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-11758177/Get-coil-pharmacist-NHS-launch-national-pharmacy-contraception-service.html
Surely if a Pharmacist can be trained to fit a coil then they are capable of carrying out Cervical Screening as well? Not that I have any intention of commencing cervical screening, but can you imagine the outcry from indignant practice nurses who will lose a lot of their footfall and ability to dictate to people, and this will also reduce the opportunities that stroppy receptionists get to snarl at people over the phone. We can live in hope….
Jess.
Hi jess,
I’ve just read the article, and it would no doubt be beneficial to some to get hold of the pill or implant but it says that the pharmacist would not be allowed to introduce either the ius or the iud ( I think that this is classed as a medical procedure) but this is still a welcome new introduction as the only pill we can access at the moment is the mini pill, it seems their grip on women is slipping.
Hugs Jules x.