To think the new cervical screening system will miss cancer cases

[PeasAndFlour]

I think the new system is a blunt tool without room for nuance. E.g. if someone has hpv, then in the next smear they don’t, the previous hpv could have caused cell changes before the infection cleared but these aren’t picked up on, because the cells aren’t looked at anymore.

Privatisation through the back door. This will push women to go private if they have had previous complications.

I have had pre cancerous cells previously (CIN2) but never tested positive for HPV.

So this means if at my next smear test I do not have HPV, they won’t even check the cells for changes?

@Dsisproblem they don’t check the cells again if you previously had hpv in last smear, mine weren’t. Back to 3 yearly screening (3 yearly hpv testing).

@ElleGB

I have had pre cancerous cells previously (CIN2) but never tested positive for HPV.

So this means if at my next smear test I do not have HPV, they won’t even check the cells for changes?

This appears to be the case, yes. Even if you have had previous cell changes. Scary, isn’t it?

@Dsisproblem
@RagzRebooted
Do you know what happens when you have a positive HPV but no changes to cells and then have exactly the same result 12 months later?

I think this explains it well
As up thread it has been switched to this as a better test
The reason for carrying on with the smear process is 1 the nurse can look when the smear is take. 2 if HPV is detected the sample is then examined without the need for a second test
www.jostrust.org.uk/information/cervical-screening/primary-hpv-testing

I’ve also had precancerous cells (CIN3) but not had HPV.

@brokenstone

I’ve also had precancerous cells (CIN3) but not had HPV.

In my opinion people who have previously had cell changes like this without HPV should be analysed for cell changes when they have a smear. It doesn’t make any sense that they are not.

Can they test for HPV without doing a smear then? If so, it seems far more sensible to do that and only give smear tests to those who need them?

[quote PeasAndFlour]@RagzRebooted what happens to women who have had hpv in a previous smear, which has had the potential to cause changes, but is a negative hpv in the next smear? Is it not “cost effective” anymore to check their cells?[/quote]
We put on the form that it's a follow up after an abnormal one (this will be on their system too) and I believe (not 100%) that they are also checked for cell changes (I will have to confirm that with my colleague).

For those saying they had precancerous changes without HPV, was this a while ago? I had CIN3 at my first smear and I was never told I had HPV, but they didn't test/tell you back then.

HPV generally takes quite a few years to cause cancer, precancerous changes can reverse by themselves without treatment. Most people will get HPV and clear it within a year or two.

One thing I'm not clear on:
Does the checking of cells pick up non hov related cervical cancers? Or just the HPV related majority?

Non- HPV that should read.

@RagzRebooted they do not test for cell changes as mine were not, despite the previous smear being positive for HPV, so potentially changes have occurred in the cells but they will not be picked up. This is the specific reason why I’m concerned. The system is just blunt: hpv+ is the only way to get cells analysed. Previous history not taken into consideration.

So despite the messaging about anyone being able to get cervical cancer, there now really is no point at all in going if you've not had sex? (Although I was told by a doctor ages ago that there wasn't much point in going anyway if you'd not had sex as you'd be so low risk.)

It depends if they are checking visually for changes.
My gp did mine after post menopausal bleeding and told me I had polyps for example. Now I have no idea whether a nurse doing a smear would have picked that up. Anyone know?

Probably.

Does HPV infection cause an increased risk of cancer, even once the infection is gone?
I mean for example - I tested positive for HPV a few years ago and some abnormal cells were detected and I had a colposcopy. At my most recent smear, there was no HPV. Is my risk now the same as someone who has never had HPV? And therefore I don’t need my smear test sample to be examined further, unless I tests positive for HPV again?

@CommonPrimrose

It depends if they are checking visually for changes. My gp did mine after post menopausal bleeding and told me I had polyps for example. Now I have no idea whether a nurse doing a smear would have picked that up. Anyone know?

Yes the nurse picked up a polyp on one of mine which was removed and then I was referred for colposcopy 3 years later because of a cyst seen by the nurse.( cyst can also be rare cancer) I am an HCP and an awful lot of women who present with tumours are picked up by nurses , although often they will attend for a smear due to bleeding etc. Most had missed smears previously. Im concerned about threads on here where women are saying if they only test for HPV they wont bother going. Until even more stats are gathered, I would still attend for now.

@SickAndTiredAgain

Does HPV infection cause an increased risk of cancer, even once the infection is gone? I mean for example - I tested positive for HPV a few years ago and some abnormal cells were detected and I had a colposcopy. At my most recent smear, there was no HPV. Is my risk now the same as someone who has never had HPV? And therefore I don’t need my smear test sample to be examined further, unless I tests positive for HPV again?

Really good question, I’d like to know the answer to that too.

I am in exactly this boat. Previously had pre-cancerous cells and hpv. Last smear, no hpv, so no annual check up on my abnormal cells. So I've had to independently contact the gp, to see if I can get a referral for a colposcopy. Bet they'll come back and say no (only asked last week)- so that'll mean me going for a private colonoscopy which I can't really afford.

Its incorrect. Sil had hpv. The system recognised she had it last year and she was offered an annual scan this year. Results were no abnormal changes + no hpv but they still want her to have annual checks.

Bitemyarsenic, thanks a much for replying.

That makes it well worth attending then imo.

@sunlovingcriminal

I am in exactly this boat. Previously had pre-cancerous cells and hpv. Last smear, no hpv, so no annual check up on my abnormal cells. So I've had to independently contact the gp, to see if I can get a referral for a colposcopy. Bet they'll come back and say no (only asked last week)- so that'll mean me going for a private colonoscopy which I can't really afford.

Just go to a private GP service and request an NHS referral.

@Ozanj

Its incorrect. Sil had hpv. The system recognised she had it last year and she was offered an annual scan this year. Results were no abnormal changes + no hpv but they still want her to have annual checks.

That is not my experience. The cells were not analysed at all despite the previous smear being positive. Would this be a case of postcode lottery?

My letter even said due to no hpv this time I was back to 3 yearly checks. So @Ozanj your sil experience is very different to mine despite both being NHS. Something isn’t right?

@PeasAndFlour probably.