Jolande has dropped the last two calls for Cervical Cancer Population Screening, because she doesn’t like such a smear. But now that a friend has to have troubled cells removed, she finds it useful to get tested. Is that possible? And what if she prefers not to have that done by the male GP?
General practitioner Marnix van der Leest: “Experience shows that in most practices the doctor’s assistants do the smears, and not the doctors themselves. That is the case with almost all general practices. And the doctor’s assistants are almost always women, so if Jolande prefers not to visit a man, that could be an option.”
“If you experience a barrier to having a smear done, it is good to discuss this with your GP. This can help to remove any doubts about the examination. Sometimes women prefer that the GP does the smear himself instead of of the assistant.”
Because they know the doctor’s assistant less well?
Van der Leest: “For example, whether they feel some uncertainty about this, or because a previous experience with making the smear was not pleasant and they would rather have the GP do this themselves.”
“In any case, it should always be open to discussion if you have concerns about this. That is very important. So talk about it with your doctor or the doctor’s assistant, because usually a solution can be found.”
And if you really really really don’t want to have a smear done in the GP practice?
Van der Leest: “In that case, there is also a self-sampling test. A reliable alternative. With this self-sampling test, you test for the HPV virus, the virus that can cause cervical cancer. You can find all the information and how to do it on the RIVM website. m. If the results show that you have the HPV virus, the advice is to have a smear made.”
Finally, Van der Leest emphasizes once again that it is important that you feel confident with your GP: “If you have a fear or shame about a certain examination, it is good to discuss it. In acute situations it may be that there is no It’s time to pay attention to that and then it’s nice if you’ve already discussed it once.”
“Just as there are women who prefer not to have a Pap smear, there are also men who may feel uncomfortable with a female GP. In all cases, the following applies: talk about it!”
What about the HPV vaccine? Shouldn’t all adults get it then?
“The reason they do this at a young age is because the vaccine works best before the HPV virus is present, i.e. before you are sexually active. You also need fewer shots before the age of 15 (2 instead of 3) for a good, long-term protection. For adults up to 26 years, an invitation will follow later to be vaccinated free of charge. Above the age of 26, the vaccinations can only be obtained at their own expense.”
Rubriek: Asking for a friend
In this weekly column Asking for a friend we submit reader questions about health to one of our experts. Do you also have a pressing health question for a general practitioner, obstetrician, dietician, psychologist or other health expert? Mail it to [email protected] and maybe you’ll see the answer here soon.