Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not know they did this at a smear test

200 replies

ILoveBray · 11/03/2019 13:22

Came back from mine today, and they are now adding in HPV screening. Not sure when this was added, but I'm pretty sure I didn't have it 3 years ago.

Think this is such a good idea, as if you have HPV you have a higher chance of getting cervical cancer.

Not really an AIBU, more a reminder to book in for your screening if it's been more than 3 years Grin

This post was edited by MNHQ at OP's request

OP posts:
7Pip · 11/03/2019 17:16

Any HCP able to answer whether if you had a persistent HPV infection in the past which has since cleared up, that you may now have pre-cancerous cells but be testing negative at your smear/HPV test?

7Pip · 11/03/2019 17:19

Aren’t you happy to hear that the new way of testing has been shown to be better in a massive study?
No quite frankly.
So last years test showed that I had some mild cell changes and had an HPV infection.
What if I go back in 3 years and the HPV infection has cleared up, but in that time the cells have developed to CINIV in that time?
I'm going to fall through the cracks!

7Pip · 11/03/2019 17:22

There's something very wrong with this in my view.

As an aside I've been referred for an US (Thursday) for irregular bleeding/clotting and pelvic pain. Also have a vaginal infection!

So this is making me uneasy.

ThatsNotIt · 11/03/2019 17:28

I had a smear that was clear... 12 no the later I was diagnosed with aggressive cervical cancer i was told i fell into it the 2% of people that got cervical cancer nit from HPV, and that can go undetected in smears because my Tumor was growing on the opposite side of my cervix to where they scrape for testing..(so like in my womb but still on my cervix if that makes sense...) I just assume they do check for HPV

TheyGotMyName · 11/03/2019 17:29

OP I know many Brays are you in north wales Specifically Anglesey?

PurpleDaisies · 11/03/2019 17:47

So last years test showed that I had some mild cell changes and had an HPV infection.
What if I go back in 3 years and the HPV infection has cleared up, but in that time the cells have developed to CINIV in that time?

If you have had an HPV infection diagnosed, they look at the cells. You’re on a treatment/monitoring pathway not just a routine smear test one. HPV infection leading to cell changes that need treatment doesn’t just go away. You can even use a negative HPV test as a “test of cure” to see if treatment has worked.

If you’ve had a negative HPV test, that’s very reassuring. It’s got a “high negative predictive value” which basically means it’s very unlikely that cancer will develop veggies the next smear.

This way of testing misses fewer changes that need to be investigated and ignores more changes that don’t need to be treated. It’s based on really sound science (a huge study across several countries).

PurpleDaisies · 11/03/2019 17:52

If you have had an HPV infection diagnosed, they look at the cells. You’re on a treatment/monitoring pathway not just a routine smear test one.

Sorry, just reread this and it isn’t quite clear. Once you’ve had an HPV infection found, they immediately look at the cells and if there are changes you are referred to colposcopy for treatment. If not, you’re rescreened after 12 months.

MegaClutterSlut · 11/03/2019 17:55

I'm a bit worried how they're now testing the smears. I had CIN II with NO hpv virus. By the time I had the colposcopy and treatment it had progressed to CIN3 and still no hpv virus present...

lavenderhedgehog · 11/03/2019 18:29

I am in Scotland and as yet they don't do HPV testing here, just the smear test. I think it's overall a good thing that they are testing for it.

After normal smears for many years (and only one partner in 12 years - I am well into my 30s), in November 2017 I had the result of 'minor changes'.

I am ashamed to say I have not went back since, despite letters and me bleeding after intercourse and feeling pains. I am scared. First I was scared that they'd cut bits of my cervix out and then scared that I have left it so long..

EarringsandLipstick · 12/03/2019 05:53

Oh @lavenderhedgehog PLEASE don't be ashamed or scared but please do go back. You must address these symptoms. This is really important.

todayiwin · 12/03/2019 06:26

I've had this every time I've had a smear test, 20 plus years ago.

I've had a third of my cervix taken away due to HPV so maybe this is why?!

HPV did increase my risk, hence it was removed

LHMB · 12/03/2019 11:51

todayiwin I’m so sorry to hear that. I’m a massive worrier and I’m wondering if I might have to have this done too.
In December I got the results from my latest smear, the results took months to come back. They said I have low grade abnormal cells and tested positive for HPV.
Colposcopy was over 5 weeks ago, a biopsy was taken and I have still not had my results letter.
And the worrying thing is, that as lovely as the nurses were at the appointment, the hospital they sent me to for the colposcopy is ranked as one of the worst hospitals in the country. A couple of weeks ago I had my period 5 days early and it was much heavier then usual and very painful. I stood up and it flooded down my legs and all over the carpet. I was extremely dizzy and nauseous too. I phoned the hospital for advice. They said someone would call me back. Two hours later nobody had called so I phoned back, was told again, someone is going to call me back. They never did.
My friends thought that was really bad

MiGi777 · 12/03/2019 17:51

I'm in Wales and had my smear taken about three months ago. The nurse said it was a "new" smear test and she was just testing for HPV now as opposed to checking cells like had previously been the case. Must admit I did think what if I have cancerous cells then but no HPV but you put your faith in what they're doing I guess so I didn't question it. Plus I'm not a doctor so haven't got a clue if it's a good idea or not but yes, definitely doing that test in Wales now.

TeaforTwoBiscuitOrThree · 12/03/2019 17:55

We live in NL and here routine smear tests have been replaced by HPV tests, this happened in 2016 I think. You can even order a kit to do the test yourself at home.

Wholovesorangesoda · 12/03/2019 17:56

I had abnormal cells back in 2012 and had a lletz procedure to remove them. I was then told at my first checkup that I didnt have HPV so I was clear (or something along those lines, it was a while ago now!) I did then say but if I have unprotected sex with a new partner down the line, I could still get HPV and be at risk? To which I was advised yes, but the changes shouldn't be so quick as to cause issue between that test and my next.

So they have been testing HPV for a while here and as long as you don't change partner(and neither does your partner) your risk for cervical cancer is decreased and cell changes are generally slow enough that it doesnt cause any issues between checks. Or that it was the nurse led me to believe, at least!

PtahNeith · 12/03/2019 18:05

There are multiple strains of HPV, some of which are high risk for cervical cancer. Some of them just cause genital warts.

If they're only going to check for cell changes in those with high risk strains of HPV then I don't see why they're not taking the opportunity to make it accessible for women considered "hard to reach" for standard cervical screening (eg those with trauma histories) by offering HPV testing on its own as a first line.... You can do your own HPV test with a swab at home, you don't need a smear test for that. So why aren't they making that available to women?

XiCi · 12/03/2019 18:15

Does this new testing mean that those who have had the hpv vaccination don't ever need to have smears?

PtahNeith · 12/03/2019 18:15

It aggravates me that women who find smear tests painful, distressing, or retraumatising are being subjected to them when it may go no further than the HPV test that only takes a swab and can be done at home by the woman herself. So they could have been saved the smear test.

In terms of trauma survivors, a "simple smear test" can lead to months of severe trauma symptoms in the aftermath, so it's fucking unnecessary to put women through that or shut them off from any screening whatsoever when all they plan to test for in the first instance is HPV.

Big picture view, if it brings more women into screening and makes it more accessible to the women it currently misses, that will pay off.

celticprincess · 12/03/2019 18:18

I recently had my smear and it was tested for hpv which came back negative but also tested for abnormal cells. I came back with low grade dyskariosis which requires no further treatment but medium grade would require the procedure that burns off the cells (can’t recall its name).

EllenMP · 12/03/2019 18:24

Everyone should definitely get the smear test as it detects abnormal cells BEFORE they become cancer. So the screening allows doctors to prevent cervical cancers, not just catch them early.

Having said that, I have been wondering (since finding out that 99% of cervical cancer comes from HPV) why they don't screen with a blood test for HPV and only smear women with HPV. It seems cheaper and easier, since women won't put it off due to embarrassment, as a lot do, plus the ones you schedule for smears because they have HPV will be more incentivised to turn up for a smear knowing they are in a risk group. Anyone know why that wouldn't work?

celticprincess · 12/03/2019 18:42

@EllenMP are there not different types of cervical cancer and only testing those with hpv would mean that many would be missed?? Is this not going to be the same issue with the vaccination? The vaccination should lower the number of cervical cancer sufferers however there will be some who still develop it.

TheBreastmilksOnMe · 12/03/2019 18:44

Highly likely it’s just a way in to push the HPV vaccine. Urgh.

musketeers123 · 12/03/2019 18:53

Also had a recent smear test. It came back abnormal with the HPV. Scared the hell out of me !!!! Had a Colposcopy in Oct and had the all clear. Next test in 12 months. They said it is really important as if it was high and left, it can lead to cancer ...

LHMB · 12/03/2019 18:55

How long did you have to wait for your colposcopy results? It’s been over 5 weeks since mine and I haven’t had mine yet

lozster · 12/03/2019 19:13

@PtahNeith - my reasoning is the same as yours, I thought exactly the same thing. Have we got the wrong end of the stick here?

I can’t have a smear at the moment as the last two attempts cause a perineum tear. If I could have a swab (less invasive?) that would be an alternative for me?