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Original poster

To think in this situation a smear test is a waste of time?

106 replies

coffeeforone · 29/04/2019 18:37

My nurse mentioned recently that smear tests only test for HPV, if you don't test positive for HPV then they won't look closely for pre-cancerous cell changes. Given this info I started wondering. DH and I were both virgins when we met. Assuming we both remain faithful, is it true that we can never contract HPV and so there is no point in the test?

Of course I will never stop being tested regularly (as I can never be 100% sure DH will always be faithful) but it did get me thinking, is this the only risk here?

OP posts:
Booksandwine80 · 07/05/2019 07:28

Well done Hmm

Ffsnosexallowed · 07/05/2019 07:30

Smear tests don't test for HPV though do they? They look at cells for cellular change.

HomeMadeMadness · 07/05/2019 07:31

No a smear test is NOT a HPV test.

See the NHS website here

Smear tests look for changes to cells of the cervix, while HPV testing looks for the presence of the virus.

HomeMadeMadness · 07/05/2019 07:31

More from the same website:

At present, the NHS screening programme for cervical cancer starts with a smear test. Women whose smear test results show possible low-grade or borderline changes to cells will have the sample tested for HPV. Those who have low-grade changes and HPV will then be referred for further tests (a colposcopy).

AndOutComeTheBoobs · 07/05/2019 07:32

I always wondered whether virgins needed to have a smear test.

But HPV causes most cervical cancers, but not all.

I guess it's like lung cancer, it doesn't just target smokers.

Hiphopopotamous · 07/05/2019 07:34

The HPV virus also causes genital warts, and can be spread by close contact with genitals. Just because someone was a virgin doesn't mean they've never done anything with someone else. I'd always recommend continuing testing in this situation.

hannah1992 · 07/05/2019 07:47

They are changing the way they test them. They are starting to test for hpv first before they look at the cell changes. Seen as hpv causes 99.7% of cervical cancers it has been decided that hpv screening is a better way to go.

How it will be is that they will test the sample for hpv if that is not present they won't test further.

Nurse told me this 2 mo the ago at my last smear as it has been rolled out in my area.

My letter read, as your sample is hpv negative you will be recalled in 3-5 years depending on your age

adaline · 07/05/2019 07:49

No a smear test is NOT a HPV test.

Actually, in a lot of areas they are now only using smears to test for HPV. If it's clear, then they don't look at your sample further.

floraloctopus · 07/05/2019 07:49

Ridiculous, of course you should go for a smear test. If you don't want to then that is your look out but you are beyond unreasonable to post a message like this which might prevent other women from going for a smear.

endofthelinefinally · 07/05/2019 07:55

I recently read an article in the BMJ that raised concerns about the number of cases of lung cancer that were missed in non- smokers.
I hadn't realised it was such a problem.

SistersKeeper12 · 07/05/2019 07:57

I recently had a smear test and when it came back negative for HPV they didn't test any further. Apparently this new scheme is being rolled out county by county. I did say at the time I was concerned about the new testing procedures but was told 95 percent of cervical cancer is caused by HPV so that is why.
Those saying that a smear test will test for more than HPV are correct if the new scheme isn't in their area yet and obviously unaware of the changes, but ultimately you are right that if you are certain you don't have HPV then the smear won't tell you anything more than this.

GirlRaisedInTheSouth · 07/05/2019 08:01

Not true, I’m afraid. I was a medical secretary for a while and we had two young teenage patients who were virgus intactus and tested negative for HPV. They both had cervical cancer.

SistersKeeper12 · 07/05/2019 08:02

@GirlRaisedInTheSouth
Cases like this are the reason that the new way of testing is so scary.

giddyasakipper · 07/05/2019 08:05

I had surgery to remove stage 3 pre cancerous cells after my first smear test at 25. I was tested for HPV and was negative. You should absolutely get a smear test!

princesskatethefirst · 07/05/2019 08:07

My cervical cancer was picked up via a smear despite it coming back negative but apparently my cervix just didn't look " right" so I'm glad I went. I have stage 4 and felt fine so would never have known if I'd not gone!

banana64 · 07/05/2019 08:08

It's a 2 minute test. Not exactly a waste of your time.

SplashPad · 07/05/2019 08:12

This is why I don't have smear tests. DH and I were both virgins and I do not fall into any other the other categories that increase your chance of cervical cancer. I feel that my risk of cervical cancer is extremely low and so I choose not to be tested.

Disfordarkchocolate · 07/05/2019 08:17

We're you virgins as in never had ANY sexual contact with another person. HPV is very easily transmitted, it doesn't need risky sexual behaviour or penis in vagina sex for this.

alittleprivacy · 07/05/2019 08:20

My recent smear test results came back as low grade changes but no HPV so I've been told that's fine, test again in 3 years. I'm actually a bit anxious about it and considering a private retest but I think that's just my own paranoia and the HPV part is the most relevant. I've read that the HPV vaccine has the potential to almost eliminate cervical cancer in a generation, so smear testing as we know could be a thing of the past before too long.

adaline · 07/05/2019 08:24

This is why I don't have smear tests. DH and I were both virgins and I do not fall into any other the other categories that increase your chance of cervical cancer

You can get cervical cancer even if you've never had sex before. It's rare, but it happens.

Cervical cancer is one of most treatable if it's caught early enough. I have a friend who's just been diagnosed with abnormal cells. She's only 28 and has two young children. Luckily it was caught early and after treatment she should be absolutely fine. She was one who'd put off going for a smear because she was embarrassed and didn't think it would effect her.

ginghamtablecloths · 07/05/2019 08:28

I believe that in some parts of the UK there is a new trial of a smear test which does test for HPV and it may be rolled out to other areas in time.

TinklyLittleLaugh · 07/05/2019 08:32

How do you even pick up cervical cancer in a teenage virgin? I thought the reason they had stopped testing young girls was because teens never got it.

adaline · 07/05/2019 08:35

Because not all cervical cancer develops as a result of HPV.

And because you can catch HPV through oral sex - it doesn't have to be full-on PIV. And lots of teens mess around without having sex.

Melioration · 07/05/2019 08:35

I don’t know. This is something that has always been brushed under the carpet. My mother in law used to go religiously for hers, despite not even having a fumble behind the bike sheds before marriage, as did a lot of her generation. I think this is why the statistics have always indicated that you are more likely to get cervical cancer if you do not get tested - they have always disproportionately tested the rule followers. This I probably also why older women have been less likely to get it, and this is changing with the swinging sixties generation.

It is about time they came up with a less invasive hpv test.

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