What's the point of a smear test of if I'm HPV negative?

[needabreak5]

...and not sexually active? Is it just a waste of NHS appointments/resource? If they aren't going to actually look at the sample, only just test it for HPV?!

@needabreak5

From a previous smear tests. Sample confirmed HPV negative, so they wont look at the cells for changes.

My doctor told me that if the test is negative that doesn't necessarily mean you're negative. He said it could just be that you're not shedding cells at that time.

@betwixtlives thankfully I am now cancer free but I am forever grateful to my GP who wasn't going to let me keep on not doing smears.

You can get a hpv test privately from Superdrug etc for about £50. It’s significantly less invasive than a smear and provides the same level of screening that the smear test is looking for.

I don't understand why they have changed it. Now they only look for HPV and then only if positive test further.

@Begoniagal7

There is also a tiny percentage of cervical cancer cases that are not caused by HPV.

The smear test doesn't screen for these, they just test if you have the HPV virus or not.

There was recently a load of people signing a petition because they're looking to extend the gap between smear tests from 3 years to 5 in England (i believe they already did in Wales). Lots of people complaining but since the large majority have had the HPV vaccine, the asymptomatic testing is picking up fewer and fewer cases.

I had a routine smear which was clear but they spotted something else that needed biopsy. So glad I went. I'll never miss one. Same as dental checkup can spot mouth cancer or optician can alert you to other important things apart from eyesight.
Just do the things that can save your life.