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AIBU?

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Original poster

To consider opting out of cervical screening?

115 replies

justcurious40 · 09/03/2018 16:23

I am very fortunate to have just received normal results for my latest smear test.

However, the weeks I spent waiting for the results were hard as I suffer badly from health anxiety.

I am nearly 42 and have been having smears since the age of 19, so I now have 24 years of smear tests behind me without ever having an abnormal result.

It is my understanding that something like 98% of cervical cancers are caused by hpv, which is sexually transmitted. As I have been with my husband since 1999 and am 100% sure he is faithful, would it be unreasonable to opt out of the screening after so many clear tests with no hpv detected?

I think some Scandinavian countries and the Netherlands use hpy screening as their primary test and only offer smears to women who are positive. So I am thinking of having a private hpv test and, if that is negative, opting out of the screening.

Before anyone says it, I know that cancer and cancer treatment would be a damn sight more horrific than having the screening and being anxious waiting for results. I'm just questioning the need for screening under these circumstances. Thanks for reading.

OP posts:
MegaClutterSlut · 09/03/2018 18:03

When I had my smear test it came back I had CIN2. Then by the time I had the colposcopy and Lletz it was CIN3. I was hpv negative, now I'm worried when the new hpv smear testing comes into play something may get missed

RoomOfRequirement · 09/03/2018 18:15

I'm not really sure why you would. By all means, have a private HPV test. But what about the cancer not caused by the virus? There's a smaller chance of it, but I personally wouldn't want to take the chance if there's an easy way to be screened and stop it becoming an issue.

But it is of course your choice. We as women should always have control over our bodies even if the decision we make may not be in our best interests.

Greyponcho · 09/03/2018 18:19

Had CIN2 cells removed three years ago.
Tested negative for HPV.

So you can’t always rely on the correlation of ‘most’ cervical cancers being caused by HPV

Duchessgummybuns · 09/03/2018 18:24

Guess what OP? I didn’t have HPV at my first cervical screening... as I was married and faithful I thought I never would get it either. My next screening not only did I have HPV but also abnormal cells... which turned out to be stage 3 precancerous cells and needed removing via a minor op. Unpleasant, but I’d do that a hundred times rather than risk cancer.

I’d rather have the test and be anxious for a couple weeks than always wonder if my cervix was slowly killing me. Even my last test showed “slight changes” which is worrying but no HPV now, so low cancer risk.

Haven’t rtfp but am I right in thinking that HPV can lie dormant for years?

Chouetted · 09/03/2018 18:28

There is one possibility I haven't seen mentioned. Tests aren't 100% infallible. It's possibly you may get a negative HPV test result, but still have HPV.

Likewise, you might get a result of abnormal cells on a smear test but actually nothing is wrong.

OutyMcOutface · 09/03/2018 18:31

My GP told me that they suspected that the smears themselves increaased the likelihood of developing abnormal cells. That’s why they only start smears at 25 allegedly. Ultimately it’s up to you OP but surely you would be better off seeking counselling for your anxiety.

BabyDubsEverywhere · 09/03/2018 18:34

Anyone with any recommendations for private HPV testing without a smear?

KochabRising · 09/03/2018 18:37

The issue is health anxiety in the interim between test and result?

So the solution is not to never test, but to reduce either the anxiety and/or the wait time. Never testing and only having one HPV test means you’re open to a single negative result causing a life threatening error.

Not all cervical cancers are caused by or associated with HPV. Most are, but not all.

In your situation I would not rely on a single HPV test - what if that comes back positive ? Will that increase your anxiety? What If its negative? Will that make you complacent?

Your health would be better served by either a private lab smear with rapid resulting and/or treatment for the health anxiety. You would be unwise to opt out of testing altogether - smears can sometimes pick up other issues too just from the visual the nurse gets.

Greyponcho · 09/03/2018 18:37

RTFT babydubs - HPV testing in itself isn’t infallible, HPV isn’t always the cause

KatsutheClockworkOctopus · 09/03/2018 18:54

Life is short and death is long.

For me, anything which keeps me in the life category for extra time is worth discomfort or short term stress- and I say that as a lifelong anxiety sufferer.

Op you make a logical argument and only you know what is best for your circumstances. I do think in the long term getting treatment for your fears may be better than not getting treatment for possible cancer, but I do understand what you are saying.

ziggy1986 · 09/03/2018 19:12

Not all cervical cancer is caused by HPV

Greyponcho · 09/03/2018 19:16

The rate that cervical cancer develops from CIN1 abnormal cells is a looooong time. So say if you had a smear and the results showed some abnormalities, then it’s highly unlikely you’ll be rushed to hospital for major surgery. Please don’t let the worry of the screening results put you off having it done: they take so long to come as there isn’t a big rush to get them done, there isn’t a big rush for the treatment to be done. The treatment is quite simple.

...but this does rely on testing at the frequency recommended. Not much happens there for 3 years, but don’t go leaving it too long

Curtainshopping · 09/03/2018 19:18

Would it not be better to get some treatment for your health anxiety?

As you get older, you’ll be offered be other sorts of tests/screening, such as for breast cancer, and you don’t really want your health anxiety to result in you opting out of all of them.

rainbowfudgee · 09/03/2018 19:18

How often are ypurant to be called for a smear? I'm 33

ShadowKitty · 09/03/2018 19:18

It's up to you but your reasoning seems a bit contradictory... On one hand you are so confident you won't be affected by cervical cancer - so much so that you wouldn't bother getting tested. But on the other hand, waiting for the results stresses you out?

Melamin · 09/03/2018 19:19

I'm now feeling quite worried about this. Can't they test for both? It sounds like cases of cancer will be missed

There are extensive studies. Primary HPV testing is already carried out in other countries. There have been pilot test areas for a few years. It has gone through the scrutiny of the UK national screening committee.

legacyscreening.phe.org.uk/cervicalcancer

All the results say that it is far more effective.

Writersblock2 · 09/03/2018 19:21

I’ve opted out too. Same links as Terf. Grin

I find it unfortunate that misinformation has led to many women believing they have cervical cancer and are then “saved” after biopsy etc. There’s a rather large, interesting discrepancies between stats on actual cervical cancer figures and self reporting women.

Wanderlust1984 · 09/03/2018 19:29

I was negative for hpv and had to have LLETZ on CIN3 cells. IMO you're a bit of a nob to opt out of smears, though it may do something for upping the average IQ of the surviving nation at least... crack on!!

iamyourequal · 09/03/2018 19:35

The British medical journal link above brings up a research paper with this stat:

‘’ In the NHS cervical screening programme around 1000 women need to be screened for 35 years to prevent one death’’
I was thinking that’s not much and then I thought I live in a town of population 40000. Presume approx half are women. This means I could have 20 of my cohort group die needlessly from cervical screening in my own town if they stopped screening. Madness. I think everyone should go and get their smear. I hate getting mine. I find it painful (ive a funny positioned cervix) as I hate waiting for the results. But I put my big girl pants on and get on with it because it’s better than risking an avoidable cancer death.

iamyourequal · 09/03/2018 19:38

Writers block: There’s a rather large, interesting discrepancies between stats on actual cervical cancer figures and self reporting women.
I think your statement is rather crass here on a forum where women who have had/been effected by cervical cancer have shared their stories with us.

Allthewaves · 09/03/2018 19:39

Perhaps having smear privately would get u a quicker result

Melamin · 09/03/2018 19:40

No - it all goes through the same labs.

Fueledwithfairydustandgin · 09/03/2018 19:52

Would you not feel any anxiety about not being checked over? I suffer from anxiety and if I could have every inch of me and my loved ones checked regularly I would

FoodGloriousFud · 09/03/2018 20:27

Yabvvvu