To not know they did this at a smear test

[ILoveBray]

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

This post was edited by MNHQ at OP's request

@FriendOrFaux it happened to me! I had abnormal cells intially and it got better on its own! And now it’s all clear I’m HPV+

I feel they've totally gone about this in an underhand manner. There was no public awareness campaign whatsoever.

Information has gone out with the smear tests.

Previous smears only picked up abnormal changes which are actually pretty common in young women, especially if on hormonal contraception or post pregnancy. These changes often reverse themselves. In the past, many women were sent to colposcopy on the basis of these changes, and lasered/underwent surgeries etc which they now think may have actually been unnecessary in some cases, and is possibly linked to higher rates of miscarriage and premature birth. Subsequent research has identified the key role of HPV virus, and is therefore being rolled out as the primary screen. Only if positive do they then look further at the cells.
The HPV vaccine doesn't mean you will be completely covered. You are still at risk from some strains of HPV. Our daughters will still need regular screening.
Practice nurse here- this is how it's been explained to me at every training session over the past several years.

So, you're saying that unless you have HPV, you can't get cancer. Unless you're in the 1%, in which case the old test wouldn't have picked up on the cancer in the first place?

I will not be called for a smear again for 3 years. Could well be dead by then! Jade Goody died fairly quickly!

Jad Goody had a long and complicated gynaecological history. Her cancer was not related to hpv (almost certainly from what has been reported in the press).

Well this is all as clear as mud!

Here you go... from Jo’s Trust, a cervical cancer charity
www.jostrust.org.uk/about-cervical-cancer/cervical-screening/what-happens-after-cervical-screening

“high-risk HPV causes most (99.7%) cervical cancers.
HPV primary testing helps identify who is more at risk of developing cell changes or cervical cancer.

If high-risk HPV is not found, your sample does not need to be looked at for cell changes, as it is very unlikely you have or will develop them.

If high-risk HPV is found, the same sample will be looked at for cell changes

When did they actually start testing for HPV, not solely for HPV?

Well since I've mild changes, and the presence of high risk HPV, I think 3 years is a little long to be leaving me to my own devices to be honest.

7Pip
It says in the link
“HPV primary testing started in Wales in September 2018. In the rest of the UK, it is starting:

In England from late 2019
In Scotland from 2020
In Northern Ireland the dates are to be confirmed.”

I'm in England and the test showing HPV was taken in March 2018.

I was referred last week for an urgent US due to irregular bleeding/pelvic pain. That's happening Thursday. I wonder what my GP saw when she took a look up my vagina? Curiouser and curiouser.

I had one a few weeks ago and it sounds from the letter that here they now only test for HPV. I was a bit confused tbh

Oh, I hate this crap. When you're left worrying and imagining all sorts. I wish they'd just tell you shit so I could google for hours
I know that I have every symptom of cervical cancer, so now I'm bloody worried.

7Pip
It also says there have been various pilot studies running so it sounds like you may have been part of one of those

You sound very stressed. Are you ok?

Well since I've mild changes, and the presence of high risk HPV, I think 3 years is a little long to be leaving me to my own devices to be honest.

You’ve recently tested positive for hpv with cell changes? That shouldn’t be a 3 year recall. It should either be 1 year recall or referral to colposcopy.

HPV positive but no abnormal changes -annual screen.
HPV positive with abnormal changes - colposcopy. Treatment or otherwise then varies case by case.

I think you’re probably best talking to your go about this.

It was last March, I was referred for a colposcopy and biopsy, I've posted the results of that very early on in this thread. The results found mild dick-something and told me I'd be called back in 3 years.

There are lots of strains of the HPV virus, only a small amount are a contributing factor to cervical cancer. Depends which strain the person has. Just because someone has genital warts it doesn't mean they will may get cervical cancer. I know you're not saying

Ok found the letter with the original results from smear test.

"The laboratory found some slightly abnormal cells called borderline changes in your sample. .....sometimes caused by a virus called HPV.
The lab also tested your sample for HPV and found that you have an HPV infection.
.................
Having an HPV infection means that any abnormal cells in your cervix are less likely to go away" Bla bla, refer for colposcopy.

I happened to see the results they sent to my GP on the doctors screen and that said 'high risk strain of HPV"

Hmmmmmm

Following the colposcopy the letter reads
"writing to confirm that the biopsy taken has shown no pre-cancerous abnormality. Research has confirmed that women with borderline or mild dyskaryosis have only a 15-20% chance of having an abnormality significant enough to need treatment and therefore as per national guidelines we are discharging you from the colposcopy service." Next screening test due in 3 years time.

I'm not happy to hear that they are only checking for HPV now and not for precancerous cells to be honest.

You replied directly to my post Purpledaisies.

(Shit pressed post too soon!)
I know you're not saying that, but I just wanted to point that out.
Great post, the more awareness of smears the better I say.

So how long does it take a high risk strain of HPV to turn normal cells into cervical cancer? Because I think that leaving it 3 years, knowing I have a high risk strain, is a bit lax to be honest.

And to the poster mentioning genital warts? I have not ever had genital warts! And I find the suggestion a little ignorant to be honest.
Is that what it is now? Unless you have genital warts you can't get cervical cancer?

FFS.

As I understand it, if your last smear (and did they repeat one in colposcopy?) was HPV positive, you should be on annual screening for now.