cervical cancer is extremely rare thank goodness all gp practices now have a practice nurse so males are out of the picture now,But it is still a very intimate examination which can do more harm than good.The test itself does not test for cancer but the HPV virus if you test positive your body will more than likely clear it up by itself being a virgin or in a faithful marriage your chances of catching it are very rare.l think the reason fewer women are not coming forward to get the test is knowledge they are seeing it for what it is a money making business a way of control over womens bodies not so much now but certainly 30 years ago.Women know there rights now and they are aware they have control what happens to their bodies and what tests they have or don't have another reason for not coming forward