Smear tests are they worth it nowadays?

[Sheepsheepie]

Had my smear test at the start of the week and they only look for HPV now days which is passed on through sexual contact. Limited data suggests it can be passed on non sexual.

If your in a relationship and faithful then is there much point to smear tests now?

Only positive is the nurse can see your cervix and flag and visual issues?

Not trying to put anyone off smear tests and if you’re with multiple partners there is still a benefit (or have an unfaithful partner).

Is it putting people off going for testing?

You didn't have hpv on your last test, it could reactivate over the next year or so and show up on a future smear.

I'll always have mine. It's a minute of discomfort. My mum has never had one since having me 30 years ago !!

A few years ago I had CIN3 cells and high grade dyskaryosis but HPV negative. After a history of regular negative smears. I had to have abnormal pre cancerous cells removed. This would now not be picked up through a smear test as I was HPV negative- it scares me.
Most cervical cancer is caused by HPV but not all.
Imo only testing for HPV is a serious downgrading of smear testing - some cancers will be missed that would have been picked up before.

I'm not going anymore, since the nurse told me if you test neg for HPV they bin your sample without further testing. I've not tested positive in 45+ years, have been married for 20 so it's highly unlikely to show up now. Plus I can miss that awful, painful test which I'm constantly gaslit into believing is 'just a little uncomfortable' 🙄

Yes, of course, it’s still important. Because you can still get HPV if you are in a monogamous (to you!) relationship and it allows for any other issues to be flagged up. It also just is an important way to engage with women who may not come into contact with an HCP regularly re: safeguarding and other social needs.

The trouble with smears stopping at age 65 (theoretically if the previous one has been negative, but not all will have had one at 64) is that there's limited opportunity for other genitourinary conditions and cancers being picked up - often there's a large gap meaning that stuff is only spotted when people are in need of personal care in their late 70s-80s. And some of it can very easily be treated if it's noticed.

It's a minute of discomfort

For some people maybe, for others it's not just discomfort.

I had a normal smear 6 weeks post birth with my last DC. 3 years later, was found to have abnormal cells (CIN 3) and had a lot of my cervix removed.

I must admit to feeling a bit concerned about this new system and am now looking at getting one done privately but need to research it to make sure that they're not doing the same testing.

I tried to get it done privately but was told the procedure is the same. They test for HPV and if you don’t have it they bin your sample and don’t do the smear test. Basically it’s impossible to access a smear test unless you have HPV.

Me too. I was raped at 18 and they did a smear test as part of standard testing, and discovered abnormal cells which were surgically removed. No HPV. Those cells wouldn’t be picked up under the current scheme and I’d probably have died of cancer by now.

HPV csn also be transmitted non sexually as well. Its such a stigma that its all transmitted sexually. Most people carry it without knowing.

I'm pretty sure the above is a good enough reason to have a smear done. For the sake of 5 mins of discomfort and a fairly short wait for results it's worth it! And I say that as someone who gets nervous about doctors and waiting for results! Surely the anxiety of never knowing is worse than the anxiety of going for the test and knowing for sure if there is anything they need to look into further. Abnormal smear results are really common anyway and dealt with quickly. I know that I'd rather know for my own peace of mind!

I haven't had one for years after a bad experience and unsympathetic nurse. I just have the HPV test (can be done/ordered online) and would book a smear test if positive.

Well, ladies, as ever, Mumsnet is an incredible source of info. I had no idea you could buy a HPV test online. And if this is all that is tested for in a smear, then why put yourself through it? For me they are increasingly more painful each time, not to metion embarrassing and time consuming, and it would be great to dispense with them. Thank you!

I don't see why you wouldn't - it's offered for free, it's a few minutes once every three years, and the nurses might spot other issues

I had mine done privately last year and was HPV negative but had borderline abnormal cells so I'm assuming they did the full smear test.

I had exactly the same situation and I'm really in two minds as to how much use this will be

The 'smear' test involves a conversation, an examination and sampling of your cervical cells. The cells are not looked at under the microscope if you do not have the relevant HPV. However if you do have HPV the cells are looked at under the microscope and there is now a lower threshold for colposcopy and biopsy than previously.I have had one partner for 40 years, regular normal smears and yet my last smear showed aggressive HPV. Subsequent biopsy revealed an invasive cancer which has b en treated with major surgery, radiotherapy and chemo. I now have a cloud hanging over my head. Yes, a negative HPV would rule out my and many other cancers but some disease processes will be missed by the lack of examination.I would advise the full screening process and am not sure why one wouldn't unless you are in that small group of women who have a particular fear of vaginal examination in which case , of course, HPV testing alone is better than no screening at all.

https://www.nuffieldhealth.com/tests-scans/smear-test-cervical-screening

Reading this, I think they test for both HPV and abnormal cells.

I had a smear test this week, been over seven years since my last.
I don’t find them a little uncomfortable, they can be bloody painful!
My cervix plays hide and seek.
I’ve also had an incredibly bad experience with a female doctor, she refused to stop, told me to shut up, keep still, then went on to grab my leg and push it down so she could carry on.
I asked the nurse this week, what happens now. She explained that they do only test for hpv. If it’s found in that sample, it’s then tested for abnormal cells. Should hpv be found in the sample, I’d be invited to have another smear in 12 months to see if it’s cleared. Abnormal cells are treated as they were previously.

I just did the HPV test from Superdrug last time. I have issues though with having smear tests, otherwise I'd just go and do that.

I had a smear test at GP last week. I've never minded them tbh. But having seen this thread I just checked the letter and it doesn't say anything about the change and the nurse who did the test didn't explain this either. I'm pretty shocked. 😕

@Saverage do you mind me asking if it’s easy to do the test?

I was seriously considering ordering one but wasn’t sure I’d do it right. If my test results come back ok, I think it might be the way forward.
At least I’d keep up to date rather than leaving it.

Yes it was really easy. Think it was a sort of stick like you get with Covid tests and you just...put it up there for a sample.

Memory is a bit hazy as it was last year, but it was in no way painful or tricky.

@Saverage Thanks so much. I’ll definitely keep that in mind

I haven't been sexually active for 2 years but I'd still go for a smear test. They're not a big deal for me though.