To think that you shouldn’t need to have HPV to access a smear test?

[Amima]

AIBU to think that women shouldn’t need to be HPV positive to access a smear test? Apparently this is the rule now. The NHS collects the sample from you and tests it for HPV. If it’s negative then they won’t do the actual test that checks for cancerous cells. All of this fuss about how important it is for women to get smear tests, and now they’ve basically put a stop to them.

www.google.com/amp/s/time.com/3025178/hpv-test-vs-the-pap-smear-which-detects-cancer-better/%3famp=true

Inaccurate slide readings, cost vs. outcome, soon it will be able to be done with a blood test. Seems reasonable to me. Scientific progress!

It’s HPV that causes the cancer so there is no need for a smear if you haven’t got HPV. Cervical cancer is sexually transmitted via HPV. It’s why virgins also do not need a smear.

I had mine a few months ago and I broadly agree with you as it took me a lot (mentally) to go for the smear it felt like I had been tricked into it when they didn't even look at my cells because I was HPV negative.

I felt like I could have just had a urine HPV test if that was all they were doing but when I posted on social media about it I was told that at least in doing it this was a medical professional has physically looked at my cervix which is another part of the screening. I do still feel a little tricked though and I wish the cells had been looked at.

It’s HPV that causes the cancer
Not always. I’m HPV negative but I’ve had cancerous cells in the past.

HPV causes over 99% of cervical cancers. It's a screening test designed to catch most cases. I'm fine with that.

@eurochick

HPV causes over 99% of cervical cancers. It's a screening test designed to catch most cases. I'm fine with that.

Would you opt for the HPV test to be from a sample taken from your cervix or as a urine test if you were given the choice?

Seems like a perfectly sensible approach, and the process was made very clear both in the leaflet I was provided with and by the nurse at my last smear. I didn’t feel misled at all - it couldn’t have been made much clearer.

@Amima I am in your position too, previously CIN3 removed, high risk pregnancy since as my cervix was so weak. Recent smear.. not sent off as no HPV shown up… it doesn’t make sense at all. I had two large chunks of my cervix removed…..

@TheUndoingProject

Seems like a perfectly sensible approach, and the process was made very clear both in the leaflet I was provided with and by the nurse at my last smear. I didn’t feel misled at all - it couldn’t have been made much clearer.

Out of interest when did you get the leaflet? I got one in with my result but I would have expected to be told in the letter that came inviting me to book. The nurse didn't say it either at the time. Maybe my experience was unusual.

Yanbu I had CIN3 removed, also hpv negative so its worrying imo

@OddBoots I wasn’t told until the results letter was sent through, it said no trace of HPV so the results weren’t sent off

I don't understand it either. I was HPV positive in 2002, had CIN 2 cells removed in 2009. Told after my last smear that I am HPV negative and cells won't be analysed. I thought once you have been infected with HPV it stays in you forever?!

I agree that's cells should be sent off regardless, I've had 3/4 of my cervix removed due to abnormal cells, I can't carry a baby full term due to so little cervix, I'm. HPV negative 🤦‍♀️🙄

You don't necessarily stay positive.. it's not a once positive, always positive virus. Your body can fight it off. But, if I understand correctly, it can return? As it's a form of herpes virus?

I didn’t have the smear test once the nurse told me it wouldn’t be sent off if hpv negative. I’ve only had sex with one person and not at all on the past seven years. I won’t be hpv positive but still not sure if I’ve done the right thing. It just feels pointlessly invasive.

@JanetPondersley

You don't necessarily stay positive.. it's not a once positive, always positive virus. Your body can fight it off. But, if I understand correctly, it can return? As it's a form of herpes virus?

No, it's a form of Human Papiloma Virus which causes warts.

You are getting mixed up with Hepes/Cold sore/chicken pox group of viruses.

So thats 5 women on this thread so far, hpv negative but pre cancerous cells. My cin3 or the other womens cell changes wouldn't of been picked up with this way of testing

@OddBoots I'd certainly prefer a urine test if it had a similar level of accuracy to the cervical swab. I suspect most women would!

Soon we'll all just be doing HPV swabs ourselves at home ...

www.england.nhs.uk/2021/02/nhs-gives-women-hpv-home-testing-kits-to-cut-cancer-deaths/

My cin3 or the other womens cell changes wouldn't of been picked up with this way of testing
I’d probably be dead by now. I’m HPV negative so they wouldn’t have screened my sample, the cancerous cells wouldn’t have been found and I’d probably have died of cancer. It’s not even possible to pay for the screening privately. They follow the same procedure - if you don’t have HPV they won’t do the screening.

Have a look at the colposcopists' association about HPV

To clarify about people's questions about 'cells being sent off'. It's the same lab doing the testing. All the samples go for hrHPV testing first, and a cytology preparation is made if it tests HPV positive.

An American study found the probability of CIN2+ detection was lower than 1%, with most lesions detected 7 years or later (after one HPV negative test) The NHS CSP pathway will invite women who tested HPV negative after treatment in 3 years time, then another in 3 - 5 years time (depending on age).
study here

So what’s the point of me ever having a smear again? I don’t have HPV now. I don’t have sex with anyone except my DH so I’m not likely to catch HPV. Therefore every time I’m tested I already know I’m going to be HPV negative and they won’t screen my sample. So why would I bother going for the smear?

I just had one a couple of weeks ago. No test before hand here. Although I would prefer that, because I get terrible anxiety before a smear. Infact that's the first one I've had in about 8 years because I just can't stand it.

HPV can lay dormant for many years after infection. So if you test HPV negative you could already have it, and could have already had it for years.