To not understand smear tests.

If I was you I would definitely pay…you wait for symptoms….you wait too long….chance any cancer could spread

Yes, thank you. A simple ovarian cyst and normal blood test reading x

No tests are going to be 100% accurate with no false positives and no false negatives.

Also, it doesn't hurt to have someone look at your cervix.

If only that were true.

It's also worth remembering screening is only as good as the sample. I've seen cases where patients smears are "normal" yet they have abnormalities and it's usually assumed their HCP wasn't getting a really good sample from within the cervix when taking the smear and patients like this tend to stay under specialist care for their follow up smears in view of this. If professionals can sometimes not adequately get a good sample it does make me worry about home testing. It's a good alternative for those who won't be screened otherwise but it's not a perfect replacement to proper cervical screening imo

I hope this all went okay for you 💐

You can, but it won't spot any abnormalities on the cervix.

Just thinking out loud, it is possible to have cancerous cells without HPV. I think the odds are something like 2-11% of cervical cancer cases but please don’t quote me on that without doing your own research.
It is possible to see carcinoma cells on the cervix so perhaps that’s more the case, it would be a vaginal examination (GP most likely) rather than a smear.
Obviously I would hugely encourage anyone who has any abnormal bleeding, pain, discharge, cycle issues etc to see a GP or practice nurse (where qualified) in the first instance.

OP, I think I lot of people have the questions you do.

The thing about screening tests is that they essentially work on probabilities. What is the most efficient way to catch the most cases with the least false positives or over-treatment.

And the measure is statistically, how effective is the screening tool at extending the length of time people live. (So, maybe a tool catches more cancers but doesn't lead to better outcomes, so it's actually a waste of money.)

Having just been through the exact same procedure, I agree with this. It's certainly opened my eyes up to how cervical cancer, in its infancy is now treated so seriously. I won't be taking any risks with my gynaecological health again.

My treatment was in 2020 and it was based on the HPV screening result.
I actually don’t know if you can have a screening privately without it being HPV screening in first instance. This is something I will actually look into as I’m curious now.
HPV is very slow growing which is why they’ve changed the screening intervals now to 5 years for all age groups.

When did you have your LLETZ? Lots of people will have had changes or treatments back when samples either weren't being tested for HPV or not as sensitively as tests can pick up now.

If you get a total hysterectomy (so with cervix removed) then no, you wouldn't have any other cervical issues..however, it is also possible to have HPV on the skin of the vagina and to have abnormal vaginal cells so some women have to remain under the care of gynae / colposcopy post hysterectomy for monitoring of the vagina. If you have a hysterectomy you should have a vaginal smear approx 6 months after (or whatever the internal is where you live) to check if you'll need any further vaginal screening
Good luck with your appointment

Thank you everyone for explaining a mystery and a lot of stress I’ve been under-
I was on colposcopies every 3 months before and betwixt kids and pleasantly surprised afterwards that everything was suddenly fine. Fastforward to loads of unpleasant symptoms and they’ve found a polyp on ultrasound (because no pap as oart of the investigation).

The appointment is this week coming, but does anyone know if the cervical risks will still be there if I manage to get a hysterectomy?

Also looked into private smears and could only find HPV and would pay if the “old” type of smears existed and would pick up that “missing non-HPV % cases of cell changes”

@hashbrownsandwich thank you. I’m similar to original poster and others who had lletz but no reference to HPV made at that time (could/prob did have…?) so say I didn’t have …. But still had abnormal cells from the % of non HPV related cases would abnormal cells be picked up? I’ve had discharge changes but again wasn’t offered either colp or cell change/smear … did have STD/BV swab and internal scan….

@Throughahedgebackwards I am a cervical screening professional. I have also had CIN3 and subsequent treatment.
The cells during routine smears are screened for HPV. If negative then it’s back to routine 5 year screening for all ages now.
if HPV is detected it’s usually followed up in colposcopy and often a follow up repeat smear is done any time from 3 months to a year later depending on the specialist decision.
Using myself as an example, I had a positive HPV and treatment in colp, then my last 2 smears have been negative.
As sample takers we are also trained to recognise that if the patient has any visual abnormalities when we view the cervix such as suspicious masses, we refer to colp straight away under the 2 week rule. We cannot see HPV in practice which is why colp need to see using a special dye that shows the prominence of the HPV cells.
When we take a smear we also ask the patient whether they have any concerns (such as irregular bleeding, bleeding during/after intercourse etc) and whether they are taking any hormones. We also ask roughly where in their cycle they are or last menstrual period dates. This is all relevant and if we had concerns, again we would refer to the appropriate service/professional.
i hope that helps? Happy to answer anyone’s questions if I can.

Op you are right I’m one who will be missed as well with historical issues that were non HPV linked, following if anyone know where to get cells looked at.

I've had 4 lletz procedures and been told I'm a great candidate at 42 for a hysterectomy, I'm surprised you haven't been told the same.

Thank you.

Sorry one more bu I believe knowledge is power 😁

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8785287/

I think one really important thing to keep in mind is to not panic with a positive hpv test.

Do keep an eye out for symptoms; the two big ones are unusual bleeding and/or a watery discharge that smells bad. And keep up on your exams as recommended by your doctor but don’t hesitate to raise a fuss if you think something is wrong.

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/11901-hpv-human-papilloma-virus

https://health.clevelandclinic.org/does-hpv-go-away

https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/hpv-test/about/pac-20394355#:~:text=A%20positive%20HPV%20test%20doesn,take%20years%20to%20show%20up.

https://www.mdanderson.org/cancerwise/i-have-hpv-now-what.h00-159698334.html

The other question to ask is about reinfection since it is possible that a partner has it.

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4068337/

So the answer is yes and/or no… Clear as mud… but credible sources.

Can anyone clarify whether you would necessarily continue to test positive for HPV if you have cell changes?
I'm imagining a scenario in which the virus reactivates and causes cell changes, but then clears up... in which case you may never test positive for hpv despite potentially developing an hpv related cancer.
Also, does the immune system ever clear the virus completely or does it always remain (whether dormant or active) once you've been infected?

I wouldn’t assume anything. Cervical cancer generally affects younger women but vaginal and vulval cancers are usually diagnosed at a later age. From google AI- but is supported by my own previous research:

As of 2026, the average and median ages for the diagnosis of cervical, vaginal, and vulvar cancers are as follows:

• Cervical Cancer: The average and median age at diagnosis is 50 years old. It is most frequently diagnosed in women between the ages of 35 and 44.
• Vaginal Cancer: The average age at diagnosis is approximately 67 to 69 years old. The median age for HPV-associated vaginal cancer is specifically noted as 68 years old.
• Vulvar Cancer: The average age for a diagnosis of invasive vulvar cancer is 70 years old. Median age estimates for vulvar cancer generally range between 68 and 69 years old.

FTR…Vaginal cancer is not fun. 0/5 stars do not recommend