Does anyone know if you still need cervical smear tests if you've been with the same partner for yonks?

[LaundryFairy]

I've been sent my reminder, but is it necessary if I've had the same partner for 14 years?

I remember reading that cervical cancer was caused by an STD. Can it really stay dormant in the body for that long?

God I had the "nasty scrapey thing" as a friend used to call it. Don't want to go there if I don't have to...

[MamaG]

YEs, it is necessary.

sorry!

[coastalmum]

believe you still need to have your smear test how ever long you've been with a partner.

[OrmIrian]

Yep! Fraid so.

[LaundryFairy]

God, that was what I was afraid of. Thanks, though.

Guess I'll just have to lie back and think of Mumsnet.

[Winetimeisfinetime]

I'm not sure about this as my gp told me that if you were in a long term monogamous relationship you didn't need to have a smear test and in fact he advised his own wife not to bother with one. I must say though that I haven't taken his advice and have always gone for a smear test when I'm called up for one.

[BibiThree]

Yes, yes yes. Always go, it's a moment's discomfort, once every 3 years. Most of us have put ourselves through labour more often than once every 3 years!

[PortAndLemon]

Yes. It's not as though it's something you pick up from recent infection, it can crop up years and years after being exposed.

[AMumInScotland]

Any woman who is not a virgin can potentially have the virus (bacteria?) which leads to cervical cancer, no matter how long you've been with the same partner, and it can stay dormant in your system for ever. So yep, I'm afraid you will just have to lie back and think of MN!

[coastalmum]

I've been with dh for 8yrs, and had an abnormal smear test in Jan. Now awaiting results of colposcopy, doc who did it said virus can stay dormant for most of your adult life.

[Winetimeisfinetime]

Sounds like my gp was wrong then - so glad I ignored his advice. He was a bit radical in his views - not keen on immunisations either especially mmr as he had 2 dc with autism.

For the bit of discomfort involved it's worth being tested.

[cmotdibbler]

75% of cervical cancer is caused by the Human Papilloma Virus - the same virus that causes warts. It is not an STD, but once infected, it is always there.

However, a quarter of women who get cervical cancer will not have an HPV infection, which is not necessarily picked up through sexual contact anyway.

So you do need to go for smear tests.

If you need more encouragement, I can go on about this subject for hours...

[JingleyJen]

Yes yes yes.. sorry.. but yes..

[NomDePlume]

YES

Just go, get it over with.

[BeauLocks]

Yes - do it!

Besides, you can never be sure that your partner isn't dipping his wick elsewhere.

[NomDePlume]

BeauLocks

[LaundryFairy]

Thanks for the helpful encouragement - appointment has duly been made.

And I'm afraid you're completely wrong on that point BeauLocks - I am more sure of DH than anything else in this life!

[MaryAnnSingleton]

well done LaundryFairy - check out lulumama's excellent smear encouragement thread

[lucyellensmum]

YES YES YES AND THRICE YES!!!!!! Um, YES!!!

I had been with my partner 10 years and developed precancerous cells that needed to be removed. Mine were just about to tip over the edge, i was three months late for my smear - it was all ok and treated very simply. My gynaecologist (excuse my drunken spelling) said that had i left it for anothe six months it would have been a VERY different story.

Please have it done, and i have to say, if it hurts, get a different nurse to do it. I always opt for a male doctor as it goes - they always warm the thingy

[2shoes]

in answer to the op
YES
i am in my 40's and been with dh for 24 years and have it done
it is a must.
oh and last time I had it done they had changed the metal thing to plastic. soooooooo much better

[VictorianSqualor]

Yes! Have one as often as you can.
I had CINIII cells on my first ever smear, and was in hospital having part of my bloody cervix sliced off within weeks.
Well worth it though, not having cancer.

[vInTaGeVioLeT]

yes don't delay get it done ASAP - also by way of encouragement(sp?), they have chaged the method now there is no scrape scape scrape - they now use a little brush. Ok it's still not the nicest thing to have done but not so bad as it used to be - had mine done 3 weeks ago just waiting to hear back.

[CPtart]

It isn't a test for 'cancer' as such. The test looks for the HPV virus which is implicated in most cases of cervical cancer. This virus can lie dormant, so negative one year, positive the next, even with the same partner. If HPV positive then it looks for abnormal cells and if also present then a referral is made. HPV Positive without abnormal changes warrants annual monitoring only. There aren't always signs something is wrong (as with many cancers) and waiting for symptoms may be leaving it too late. There's certainly money to be made from it in GP land, like all other health monitoring, with good reason. And smears are only 3 years until you're 49, then they are 5 yearly.

[tribpot]

This thread is nine years old.

[Comps83]

Ha lol I hadn't noticed how old this thread was , why has it been dug up? I thought it was odd as plastic speculums and the brush have been around for ages now.