Is this attitude common?

I too accept tests, even though I have a double uterus, and smear tests were always a bit of trial (often in hospital) - and as a "novelty", also had students checking out and inspecting my vagina. While some tests are uncomfortable, I would still always attend any screening, including the Bowel Cancer tests and Flu jabs. In somewhere like the USA and many other countries, all tests have to be paid for! Take whatever you are offered, I say! Your Health is priceless - don't lose it!

I used to have smear tests in my younger days. I've only ever had a mammogram once.
I haven't had either for some years now. That's my choice. No particular reason.

Sadly I think many people are like your friend. I have a friend just like this who considers that it is best not to know. I’ve tried to persuade her that not all conditions that screening applies to are necessarily terminal.

I was surprised recently after a blood test, that at some point in my life, I must have contracted chickenpox, without knowing.
It must have been something to do with my three children having it or being exposed to it in the classroom.

NotSpaghetti you can be more susceptible to Shingles if you don’t have the Shingles vacc even if you have previously had chickenpox. The varicella-zoster virus remains in your body but immunity to it can wane over time, thus causing vulnerability to shingles, particularly when immunity is low. The vaccine boosts immunity as it contains an attenuated varicella-zoster virus.

Those who work with children tend to suffer less with Shingles because their immunity is constantly boosted as they are more frequently exposed to kids with chickenpox.

I take any test that is offered and gladly, What is a little bit of discomfort to save your life? I had a hysterectomy June last year and they discovered mildly abnormal cells. Ive just had a smear test of my 'vault' (horrible word) and am now waiting for the results. If I had not have had my tests especially the bone marrow extraction I would not have had my diagnosis and may not be here now. I would urge anyone no matter how squeamish or concerned to take up the offer of any test,

ChrissyR How difficult it must be for you, and sad that you can’t have any effective help with this. I am a hypochondriac, learned at my mothers knee unfortunately, but thankfully I am much better after 4 years of Buddhist meditation training.
It is one of the downsides of screening that it can raise anxiety levels for those who are well, and also it can be invasive with false positive results, but I guess it’s worth it if it saves lives. Bowel cancer can so easily be cured in the early stages with something as simple as polyp removal.

Your friend is like me - at 61 I have only ever had one smear test - and that happened because I met a doctor friend at the Clinic and she scared me into it (and she died of a heart attack some years later). I also discarded the invitations for a mammogram and a colo-rectal test. I know it is a stupid thing to do, but I have lived more than half my life and I have already decided I don't want treatments because I have seen people die anyway (and yes, I have seen people recover).

My daughter is currently going through cancer treatment for ovarian cancer, sadly that is not so easy to detect. Believe me, just do all tests. I do understand the fear and disgust but prevention is so much better than having to go through the pain, the indignity and yes the disgusting part of cancer and its treatment.

I have any test offered. In the last year two of my friends died of bowel cancer. Neither of them did the tests and by the time it was causing problems it was too late.

I accept all screenings, and am very grateful to the NHS for this. I'm wondering now having just turned 65 and thankfully no underlying illness whether to accept the free flu jab this year.

Hi, after reading the posts in this thread I felt that I had to post. I see that some people think it’s stupid to not go for tests or screening when it’s offered, some of the comments are very upsetting.

If people aren’t going because ‘it’s distasteful’ then that I don’t understand but I respect their choice. Nobody knows if the people who think like that actually have other underlying reasons for not going. I can only speak from my own experience.

I have severe health anxiety probably learnt during childhood. When I say ‘severe’ I mean to the point of making myself ill (vomiting and full blown panic attacks) while waiting for results. Even when I have blood tests done my GP has been very good and has given me an appointment to go back and see him so that he can go through the results with me. I used to be a lot worse, I couldn’t have any tests at all. I’m working very hard at it and have actually managed to go for 2 mammograms. My next one is due soon and I can’t have it done under the NHS because of the wait for results. I’m looking at having it done privately where hopefully the waiting time for results will be much shorter. I haven’t managed to do a bowel screening test yet and I’m not sure whether that will change or not. My thoughts are that, if I’ve put off having a test done then, if and when I finally pluck up the courage to go, it may be too late. I know that people will say that doesn’t make sense and I can see how difficult that would be for people to understand but that is the way my brain works. I’ve had endless counselling sessions and I’ve also seen a spiritual healer and a hypnotist but nothing has worked so far, I’m now about to try acupuncture.

All I’m asking is that people give some thought to the reasons why others might not jump at having tests done, only they know the real reason why.

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Juno56 - unfortunately I do think this head-in-the-sand attitude is common where health is considered, and you can see this in technicolour by the numbers of people who continue to smoke, eat junk food, and fail to exercise when even in the face of a pandemic which has shown lifestyle to impact upon the ability to survive the virus. Refusing to participate in health screening is simply an extension of these things. It's a mindset that often takes a dramatic turn in life events for it to change.

I've had most of the tests offered including the 'poo sticks' but recently had some unexpected bleeding. In the current time it can be extremely difficult to get an appointment to actually see a GP but after phoning 111 and then a very long phone consultation with the 111 doctor I was advised to get a GP appointment asap or go to A&E. After numerous tries I eventually gt through to the local sugery who were about to organise another phone consultation but as soon as I said I'd been told to see a GP or I'd be off to A&E I was being examined within the hour! I'm now waiting for the blood tests I need (appointment on Monday) to see if there is a problem or it is something and nothing. Fingers crossed!

I have to admit though that it did feel very strange having to hide my face behind a mask while baring my bum to a very young doctor I'd never met before! However after giving birth it takes a lot to phase me.

annodomini the human papillomavirus that can cause cervical cancer is not herpes, its genital warts.
I think that individuals views about testing should be respected and I agree with others posting that the breast cancer screening is the most controversial....worth weighing up pros and cons.

I hate doing the bowel cancer check , but it doesn't stop me doing it. I also go for the mammogram although it's uncomfortable. I don't have smear tests since a full hysterectomy but always had them before (thankfully) . These things are not comfortable or pleasant but so much better than extensive cancer treatment....
or death

My older sister is 58 and has never had a smear test and I had to talk her into going for a mammogram appointment. She makes me so angry , but is so stubborn there is no point rowing with her anymore. I go to whatever appointments they give me, especially as a couple of close friends have had breast cancer( one friend I've had for 37 yrs was diagnosed this week that it has returned & it's palliative care, no treatment) and another with bowel cancer. It's a horrible disease and to catch it hopefully early with these tests, however embarrassing or uncomfortable. It can save your life.

I also have a friend who won’t have any tests done. She is overweight and has smoked for 55 years, is not very healthy but just buries her hard in the sand.

Take up every test and vaccine offered, including ‘poo test’ mammograms etc. I’ve also paid for our flu jabs for 20 years, and as too young for some NHS jabs paid privately for Our Shingles jabs 4 years ago and have just done the same for Pneumonia last week.
Also paid for chickenpox vaccine for GC 4 years ago - btw we are in minority of 1st world countries not offering it for free to young children.

I have to say I was guilty of ignoring bowel cancer test just threw it in the drawer. It’s not like me as I always attend breast and smear tests. However I got a call to say they hadn’t received it so that gave me shake up I needed.

I missed my first breast screening attended my second (reluctantly) ended up having a lumpectomy and radiotherapy ? However I stopped going for cervical screening mid thirties and have never returned the bowel screening. Honestly I have to die of something and would rather just live in ignorance

I always try to remember that, however "embarrassing" such procedures might seem, the doctor who is doing it does 10 a day, and has probably done hundreds if not thousands in his career. To him, seeing and handling your nether regions is like a person working on a production line packing biscuits. He has seen them all, every shape, size and peculiarity. It helps to remember this. And I really don't understand how anyone would risk dying of cancer because of a momentary embarrassment or slight discomfort.

Hurts a lot more if you get cancer! I have just lost a lovely friend to bowel cancer and it wasn’t pretty!

If I hadn't had a mammogram, my Stage 1 breast cancer would not have been detected. I had every smear test offered [yes, it is embarrassing, but hey ho] and return my 'poo' sticks'. I had an abnormal reading last time so had to have a colonoscopy - fortunately all was ok. I worked with a lady years ago whose husband wouldn't 'allow' her to have these sorts of tests! My colleague and I offered to go with her, but as her husband drove her to work and picked her up afterwards it wasn't posisble. She wasn't allowed to learn to drive either - or have children, but that's another story.