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?

@lemonchiffonpie thank but I can’t have hrt due to previous bc (so I don’t take the cancer risk lightly). I realise it’s less risk as it’s a cream but atm I don’t need it for anything else - and I don’t think it would help as it’s not the insertion that is the UNBELIEVABLY painful bit ! I almost punched a consultant who tried to take a smear from me !

Ovestin isn't hrt.

Two years ago I had been with my DH for 9 years and was found to have HPV, no abnormal cells so asked to come back after 1 year. Then last year I had abnormal cells. Had them removed under LLETZ and they were found to be CIN3. Got the all clear 6 months later but I know HPV can reoccur once you've had it.

I would encourage people to have their smear test.

It's a different appointment, partly because they're funded from different streams and partly because doing blood pressure, weight, bloods takes up additional time and can require different staff rather than the one who is qualified to perform smears. So attending a smear gives the nurse an opportunity to ask/offer a booking for a healthcheck or for the woman to request it. Also might have an opportunity to observe bruising or injuries, mention that periods are exceptionally heavy, etc.

My surgery also asked about whether it was possible to access dental care post Covid and had details of dentists that were accepting NHS patients in the area because they were concerned that more people were going untreated. It's not their responsibility, but it was something that could benefit someone who might be able to avoid pain, infection, even death if they could find a dentist to help maintain their oral health (and dentists also spot signs of oral cancers, leukaemia, potentially life threatening infections, eating disorders and abuse).

There's no comfort in finding out after a diagnosis 'oh, well, we noticed signs of it five years ago but didn't want to worry you'.

The nurse upthread says she does it in the smear appt - not just asking questions or prompted by the woman - that’s what people are responding to

I've only had one smear test (I'm 32) but before this I self tested for HPV. I'd do at least one of those (same test, just one is free and done by someone else). And I'm someone who has only been with one person my whole life (and vice versa) so unlikely to ever have HPV.

@Sheepsheepie I see. By private you mean pay for regular HPV tests at intervals within the normal spacing and then f positive to high risk HPV be referred to a gynaecologist for colposcopy.