Test at home cervical cancer kits?

[Buttonsandroses]

Tempted to buy one. It all looks proffesional. I have alot of anxiety around going for a smear. Therefore being able to do the test at home would be a massive relief. Has anyone ever bought one.

I think it's a positive move for women. Women don't always feel comfortable with smears for many reasons. I am going to order one tonight. I am happy to update this thread if anyone is interested. Maybe it's a positive move for women!

I think the confusion is the majority of cervical cancer is HPV but not all
So you are testing for something that is the majority cause but not the only cause
And no it won’t tell you about cell changes. It is just like testing for chlamydia

Good luck !! Let us know how you get on.
I agree it’s a great thing for women

@buttonsandroses I'm sorry you're having issues and I certainly hope you get your scan quickly

Are you hoping this test will show that you don't have HPV and that will help you plead your case to your GP? I do think you should ask for a scan regardless. Your gynaecological issues sound more like endometriosis or PCOS which is a different issue. Apologies if I have this wrong.

Also some strains of HPV can leave your body naturally I understand, but it may have already caused cell changes in the 3-5 years since your smear. I’ve had HPV twice 20 years apart (nothing in the middle) and I just don’t risk it.

Slow typer here! Good luck with the test @buttonsandroses

@Menora
They say that 91% of cervical cancer is HPV related. Also getting this done is probably the first step to helping you to feel more in control and perhaps more comfortable going for a smear in the future.

It’s all ok if you’re fine getting a smear! Then great for you. But lots of people aren’t. And they are bullied and spouted at. And it’s all loaded with fear. This is not a good way to get people to engage with getting any forms of testing done.

I have thought about this too as our local area only tests for HPV now and won't look at the cells unless it is positive. So may as well get a HPV kit and go for a smear if it is positive. My last smear was absolutely horrendous so I can understand why some women don't go, so if this test means those women get checked, it seems sensible. It means those young women not yet eligible for a smear also have options

It is worth knowing all the facts

OP thought this was a test for cancer - she’s not got all of the correct information at all. If you know that it’s 91% then you can make an informed decision - but if you assume it’s absolutely foolproof then it’s ok to give informative info without being accused of bullying - I’ve had part of my cervix removed for CIN 3 severe changes, I’m not trying to scare anyone I was 20 years old. It happened to me

menora I’d recommend you look at how cervical screening has changed recently. There’s no difference here as long as the op books for a smear if the hpv test is positive.

www.jostrust.org.uk/information/cervical-screening/primary-hpv-testing

I am probably going to get one of these.
I can not physically have a smear test, so this is better than nothing. What I will do for a positive I don't know, but I'll deal with that if needed later.
Happy to feedback on it if needed.

I know how it has changed. I’ve had the smear under the new changes and I work in general practice 😂

Please don’t be under any illusions that the test will replace a smear as the nurse can see things that you can’t.

I wouldn’t be keen to miss a smear because if something is found it will need to get treated. And that won’t be fun but if it’s caught quickly it’s obviously better. Quicker less invasive repairs!

However if you leave it and it spreads the treatment can be quite gruelling. I speak as a friend if someone who has had cervical cancer and HPV and has had all her inside bits removed, chemo and radio.

So if you think having smear equipment inside you is bad I really hope you never need internal cancer treatment as that’s way, way, way worse.

Perhaps you would be able to get over your fear with an understanding female nurse at a family planning clinic (or whatever it’s called these days, GUM clinic?) as they presumably do these all the time and are experienced and gentle and may be better than a GP’s nurse who works on other parts of the body more?

Nobody likes them. I just ‘woman up’ and get on with it. And I have issues around that part of my body too. You can do it OP. It’s worth it. It’s your life.

Hope all well.

Sorry, I misunderstood what you were saying with your post menora.

@Elieza
How dare you tell people just to woman up. You’re part of the problem.
If you did any research you will know that the guidelines have changed. As several people on here have explained.
This is the point isn’t It. Most people just go along with anything their told. And don’t do any of their own research.

Nobody likes them. I just ‘woman up’ and get on with it.

Good for you. You obviously do not have such severe trauma you cannot tolerate even being touched, how fantastically fortunate and blind to your own privilege you are.

So if you think having smear equipment inside you is bad I really hope you never need internal cancer treatment as that’s way, way, way worse

Obviously I hope the same, because they would need to sedate me and pin me down or I would refuse to have it done. I would love to be able to "woman up" and not be such a wimp, but that's the way it is.

I've ordered from superdrugs website for £48. I do understand how people feel when they have watched a love one go through treatment etc. I am responsible and I always go to the drs to get anything checked that's abnormal. There are many cancers and risks in life. We don't get checks for them. So whilst I agree it's important to be checked. I also think in the bigger picture there's many things that can kill us in this life. If people can't bring themselves to have a smear it's unlikely because they are being lazy and ignorant. If this is something women can face over a smear then it's definitely a positive. I shall keep you informed. The superdrug one sends the results to your go too which is even better!

Did you know that cervical cancer is the 22nd most common cancer in women?

Good luck with the test

No. I'd be worried about accuracy. Smears are nothing to worry about - just go to a proper nurse at your GP surgery and get it done.

@vestaTilley
It’s almost like you haven’t read the thread!

40 years ago you couldn’t do any tests for stds without going to the doctor. Look how things change.
The world changes!!!

I didn't know that nope. It's much rarer than some then! I will probably get massively shouted at but I read once that 80% of people who go on to have further treatment are treated for no reason. If they were left it would go on its own or never become cancer. They have to treat 1000 women for 30 years to save one women. I'm not saying it's not important at all. But alot of scaremongering goes on and there are hundreds of cancers and diseases out there. It's a great thing to be tested and it is important we look after ourselves. I'm personally relieved there are more options out there now. These tests could take some pressure of the NHS too if people are happy to pay £48 every 3 years.

I wouldn't be considering this at all op.

And if I was, I'd be asking a medical professional for their opinion, not mumsnet.

Good luck @Buttonsandroses. Thanks to all who have shared useful links.

It is rarer but it’s often one of the ones that doesn’t have many symptoms and is harder to spot. I was only 20 and had no real symptoms. If I had not had that smear when I did I may have come to a much worse fate. A lot of women who have had the experience of cervical treatment do feel strongly about it which isn’t taking away from women who feel strongly they do not want it