About smear test

[elegangle]

Last week my GP reminded me that I was late (very late) for my smear test.

So I've just gone and had it done but the nurse said it may not be tested as I had not received a call up letter. I told her that I did but it was a while ago (2 years) and I did not receive any reminders other than the initial call up letter. She said that as I was now out of synch with my every 3 year call ups and it is a whole year before the next one is due they may refuse to test it.

Surely this is ridiculous. I can understand that they may not do it early if you have turned up to all your call ups but I haven't had one for five years.

AIBU to think that it is daft to try and make me wait another year or has the nurse got this all wrong?

[MunchyMunchkin]

The nurse is wrong. Any smears done after the recall letter will be processed regardless of whether you go the day it's due or two years later.
The lab won't process smears inbetween the standard screening protocol (requested for things like bleeding) as smear tests are screening not diagnostic.
Hope that helps.

[caroldecker]

On non-sexually active women. In the past some surgeries refused to have convents/nuns as patients as they did not need/have smear tests and the GP's were paid more the higher % of patients tested.

[emeraldlakes]

I absolutely will Toads. Not to mention the cost of an absolute wasted appointment that could have been better used elsewhere.

[choccywoccywoowah]

I had a smear a year ago and HPV was detected so had to go back a year later to see if it's still there. Just waiting on the results. So surely it's good to go to a smear as this is the way that HPV is picked up?

[PennyMcPink]

At the moment, the NHS is only offering HPV testing as part of a smear, so you still have to go through the whole performance.

It is possible to just have the HPV screening (performed as a urine test) and then make a decision as to whether or not to proceed to a smear test based on the results of the HPV test. The NHS just doesn't currently offer this.

At present the NHS uses the results of the HPV test in conjunction with the result of the smear to determine how to proceed in cases where low grade abnormalities are discovered.

For example, if the smear shows borderline/mild dyskaryosis, but the HPV test is negative for high risk strains of HPV, then the woman would be unlikely to be recalled (no HPV = No cancer).

If the smear showed borderline/mild dyskaryosis, and the HPV test was also positive, then the woman would probably be referred for a colposcopy.

[Cherylene]

This is 'HPV triage' where the cells are examined first and then HPV tested.

We will move to 'HPV primary screening', where HPV is tested first, then cytology. This will be better at finding the higher risk cell changes, and those who are HPV negative will need less screening.

It already happens in some countries (the Dutch are said to have a good system) and there have been successful trials.

[takemetomars]

Blimey, some rabid anti smear people here huh! Keep your knickers on why don't you? See what I did there??
It Is absolutely a choice to attend but you should respect other peoples decisions regarding attendance for this, whichever way they choose. Some real lack of respect here.
I am a Practice Nurse and I seriously do not give any 'shiny ones' if you decide not to have your smear. I won't push you into it, I may ask why but most likely I won't. The payment we receive is just one of many income streams into general practice and your decision not to smear is not going to break the bank. Any health professional who can be bothered to inform/argue with you about your decision is likely to be doing so because they believe the test is worthwhile and not because they are worried about the pennies.
I also won't argue with you if you choose not to take any treatment I may recommend or if you refuse to vaccinate your children (as long as I am sure that you have made informed choices). I Certainly won't be thinking about the money you may cost us by not complying. Too busy dealing with patients who want the care we are offering frankly

[Careforadrink]

Penny

Im dont think that info is correct. Hpv causes the majority of cervical cancer but certainly not all. I just went for a smear last month and the NHS leaflet I was given at the time said as much.

So it would appear perfectly possible to get cervical cancer without hpv

[PennyMcPink]

The term the WHO uses is "virtually all"

Of course, you are welcome to make of that what you will...

[Toddlerteaplease]

I had to have one in order to have treatment for MS but as I'd had one 18/12 before the practice nurse couldn't do it as the labs wouldn't process it. I had to pay £150 for a private one. Was not happy. But it was either that or the treatment would be postponed. Ridiculous that there is o flexibility in the programme.

[Pheobe1]

I had CC and no sign of HPV. It's very rare but possible,

[PennyMcPink]

Ok Pheobe

[Musicaltheatremum]

Penny, it is wrong. But it is how it is. If I don't do certain things, my income stops. If my income stops I cannot pay my staff or my heating bills. As appalling as it is if we can't do these things there will be no general practice as we know it

[Cherylene]

The pap smear is on its way out for primary screening.

[Careforadrink]

Penny

Thats not the message the NHS is giving out. I was quite surprised but the my practice nurse said the same as the leaflet.

It makes me feel uncomfortable as people might become complacent with a negative HPV result but could still go on to develop cancer.

[DisneyMillie]

I know I wasn't misinformed too - my bad smear result was with no HPV as they made it clear it was unusual and normally you go to annual smears after lletz but as no HPV I was back to 3 years. (It wasn't to save my feelings - weirdly I'd rather have had HPV and the reassurance of annual smears after the worry of lletz)