To ask if smear tests are as worth having anymore?

[sandradailys]

Not saying they're not worth having, but wondering if they're worth having as much as they use to be

Before I get shot down, this is because -

I have read they don't actually send of cell samples anymore, they're just checking for HPV?

So they're not the same anymore. It just checks for HPV?

And if you didn't have it the last time, and haven't had sex or still married, it isn't going to suddenly come up on the next one if it was negative last time?

I'm really trying to debate if it's worth getting. For very private reasons that are extremely painful.

Thank you to anyone who can clear my lack of knowledge up! Or point me in the right direction

I wondered this the last time I had my smear, when the nurse explained the whole HPV test thing. Mine came up negative, and unless my circumstances change then that's not likely to change either.

I’ve been wondering the same thing. I have always attended my smear tests, but last one I had had to be rebooked as the first nurse couldn’t get a sample due to not being able to locate my cervix. Second nurse had no problems, but I had to attend twice, go though the procedure twice, only then to then receive a letter telling me due to testing negative for HPV they have not tested my sample. Was a bit miffed to be honest! Is there a less invasive way to test for HPV before they do the actual smear test that might not even be checked?

Ask Jade Goody's family.

Why trot this out? You've completely ignored the details in the post

@qpmz I think you've missed the point of the question.

100% worth it.

They initially check for HPV as that's generally always present in the case of dodgy cells. So no point in further checking if not present.

However HPV I think, can lay dormant for years.

That's what I was thinking too!

Strange. I was tested for HPV at 22. I am now 24 and invited to my first smear. I have the same (ex) husband and not sexually actively so don't think it needs doing surely

However HPV I think, can lay dormant for years.

I didn't think HPV could lay dormant and be negative in test results when it is actually there but not 'active'

Thanks, I will look into that one

Oh, I didnt know this. I've got one booked next week. I will ask a few more questions.

I definitely think there are now better ways of screening for HPV, and although the smear process also picks up eg polyps or signs of other infections or abnormalities, I do question whether such an invasive test is justified as a first line of testing for all women.

It’s an optional screening test that you can say no to for whatever reason.

I’m not against smears but I do have a big issue with the tactics medical professionals use to pressure women to have them.

Over 99% of cervical cancer is caused by high grade HPV. When the sample gets to the lab, it’s checked for HPV. If isn’t there recall is 3 years for under 50 years, 5 years for over 50 until 64.5 when ceases. If HPV is there, they will check for cells. If there are changes, you get referred to colposcopy. If no changes, just HPV, you have another smear in one year to check if body has cleared it. All depends on how young you were when started having sex, smoker, number of partners as to whether likely to pick up the strains. Can lie dormant and return later in life. Also, it’s not just caught from sexual intercourse, it’s sexual skin to skin contact. Sorry if repeating what you already know!

Btw in case anyone isn't aware, simple at home testing for HPV is now available to buy, and is already being used by the NHS on a trial basis in some areas to see whether it improves participation.

The NHS website seems to indicate that HPV can lay dormant and to have smears even if you have the same partner or aren’t currently having sex.

I asked this at my last smear - as in if I don't have it now and don't get a new partner, how can it change. Her answer was you could put it up in a hot tub or something!!!

This is interesting. I have had about 60 sexual partners in total. I've only slept with one, my DH, in the last 8 years. If I was negative for HPV then and haven't changed partners since, will I definitely be negative at the next test, despite my sexual history?

I too think it's pointless. If I haven't had HPV for the last 30 years, and only had Dh as my only sexual partner for the last 25, Whats the point?

I would have it done as it can lay dormant, although I don't agree with the new way they test. I was hpv negative and had severe cell changes which needed treatment. It wouldn't get picked up now with the new way of testing, there are several other women on MN that had the same as me

Can you guarantee - absolutely guarantee - that your partner hasn't cheated on you?

Not worth the risk.

The last time I had one, my nurse mentioned it might be the last in the surgery as they are looking to roll out at home test kits. Has anyone else heard of these?

I thought the same way. At my last smear I asked the nurse if it was really necessary as I’d been married for years etc. Chatted amount my friends and we all decided it wasn’t worth it.

BUT, I got my results back and I am positive for HPV. Apparently it can lie dormant for decades. My cells were checked and there were no changes. I have to go back in a year to see if the HPV has gone or if my cells have changed.

I have really changed my mind about this now. It is important.

I had a smear around 5 years ago which was positive for HPV and abnormal cells, had a colposcopy, there was low grade cell changes but didn't need treatment.

Next smear after that was clear.

Then smear after that it seems the HPV was back!?

I wish there was a way of not having smears, as I find them painful, I think because of vaginismus, and with the last one two different nurses couldnt get at my cervix, the second nurse kept trying until I was in tears, and I ended up having to make a 60 mile round trip to get it done at the hospital.

Smears seem to be a neverending pain for me, but I know that cervical cancer would be much more unpleasant.

I understand the need to check for HPV, but is an invasive test the best and easiest way to do this? As I said before, I’ve always attended my smear tests, but if they are not even testing the sample taken, then surely the home test that op mentioned would be a better use of everyone’s time? If I can swab my cheek to check for HPV rather than have a vaginal procedure, I’d take that as a first check every time.

Yes it can. The HPV test can only pick up active HPV, not dormant. So even if negative for years, it can pop up when your immune system gets compromised. Pregnancy for example depresses our immune systems so that we can carry another human being without our body attacking the baby as a foreign entity within us. So pregnancy is correlated with dormant HPV activating.

“Sometimes HPV does not cause any harm and will not be detected with a test. We call this dormant or clinically insignificant HPV. Occasionally, HPV that was dormant can become active again and may start to cause cervical cell changes. This is called clinically significant HPV and would be detected with a test. We don’t know why HPV becomes active again, but cervical screening (a smear test) can help detect the virus and any cell changes early.”
www.jostrust.org.uk/information/hpv/faqs

The HPV vaccine (for those young enough to have had it) also doesn’t inoculate against all strains of HPV, but rather a few of the most common strains that cause cancer. So the vaccine is great protection, but it’s not 100% protection against HPV caused cervical cancers.

I'm planning to buy a home test from a pharmacy next time round. I'm really uncomfortable with having such an invasive test and then the sample just binned.