NHS Screening

You are right Esspee I can see that I will carry on doing the FIT test, as you say it's a simple and easy test to do at home, so what's to lose? Thanks everybody for your input, by talking about our experiences hopefully we'll be able to help others as well as ourselves.

suziewoozie, I'm just like your friend and never get tested for anything!

I am happy to have any examination or test available and to have all vaccinations offered, though with you @Suziewoozie regarding cervical smears.
If the NHS made it clear that cervical cancer is a sexually transmitted diseases then we could all make an informed decision as to the necessity of having that done.
@Blue Sky the bowel cancer screening is simply done from home. Why would you not want to do it? Most cancers can be treated if caught early enough.

When the appointment came for my mammogram, which would have been the last one, I decided not go. My daughters were adamant that I should have the screening so I went and an early breast cancer was found and treated. It scares me to think how much worse it could have been if I had not gone.

I'm 66 and was surprised to get a letter for breast screening appointment next week, I shall attend but as cirvical smears are so problematic for me I won't be asking for that.

You are quite right Suzie in saying that we would never forgive ourselves if we developed a cancer for which we had refused available screening!

I had my last cervical screening last year, to be honest I was surprised to be told it was the last one, I’ve always had clear cervical tests

Yes tanith that influenced my cervical decision as well as the sexual partners issue.

Same here, I carried on requesting a mammogram and will probably continue with the bowel screening when I get to 75, if I’m allowed. I read that if you’ve always had clear cervical tests there really is no need to carry on.

I think it’s a personality thing fundamentally. I know I’d never forgive myself if I developed a cancer I’d refused screening for. I have a friend who won’t be screened for anything ( or even have the flu jab) and if the worst happened to her, I’m sure she’d just shrug her shoulders and say ‘oh well there you go’.

Thanks Suzie like you I'm considering carrying on with the breast screening, which I was relieved to have done when it became available on the NHS as my mother died of breast cancer, possibly because it was diagnosed too late. Not sure about the bowel cancer one after 75, will have to read up on it and as you say, make my mind up!

I’ve carried on with the Breast screening but not the cervical. When I reach 75 I’ll continue with the bowel screening. No it’s not financial - evidence demonstrates that the chances of these cancers developing after a certain age are less. I dropped the cervical because I only have one (faithful) sexual partner. If I were playing the field ( or thought he were?) I’d have the screening.

There are as you say arguments on both sides. I just read up on it and decided to do what I felt most comfortable with which is all you can do really.