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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Is there any point - smear

126 replies

theskyispurple · 10/07/2022 16:54

I'm almost 50, married for 10 years, never had abnormal smear results.
I know that the cells only get looked at if the hpv test is positive.
What are the chances of me having hpv now considering that it has never shown up before?
Trying to minimise unnecessary anything in my life - is this something I can cut?

OP posts:
chipsandpeas · 10/07/2022 16:55

i wouldnt - id still go and get it done

ApolloandDaphne · 10/07/2022 16:57

I wouldn't consider health checks as unnecessary. It's once every 5 years at your age so hardly onerous.

DangerNoodles · 10/07/2022 17:02

I posted about this the other week. I've decided to buy a home HPV test and only go for a smear if that comes back positive. For me, smears are just too intrusive to bother with if my sample is only going to be discarded. I wish they would still test everyone for abnormal cells like they used to. It is possible, albeit rare, to have cervical cancer without HPV.

midairchallenger · 10/07/2022 17:05

Just get an HPV test first then decide.

PinkFizz1 · 10/07/2022 17:06

Please do not miss your smear.

midairchallenger · 10/07/2022 17:08

ApolloandDaphne · 10/07/2022 16:57

I wouldn't consider health checks as unnecessary. It's once every 5 years at your age so hardly onerous.

Having an invasive internal examination to gather cells that will never be looked at is the definition of unnecessary.

HPV testing is not invasive and should be done separately without subjecting women to unnecessary invasive examinations.

blessedbethebutter · 10/07/2022 17:09

For the sake of a 2 minute examination why wouldn't you have if done.

Harridance · 10/07/2022 17:10

It's great it's offered, I take every test going!

Itshotoutthere · 10/07/2022 17:10

I've been single for around 5 years. Tested positive for HPV apparently it can lie dormant in your system for years. GO!!!

DreamingofItaly2023 · 10/07/2022 17:11

I am going down the home HPV test route as I have never tested positive for HPV and much prefer a quick vaginal swab in the privacy of my own bathroom.

Stuffin · 10/07/2022 17:13

I am considering paying for a private HPV test next time and then only going for a smear if that is positive. Essentially it is the same as the test I get at the GPs but avoids the painful (for me) internal exam if it's negative and as I will pay privately it takes nothing away from anyone else.

RuthW · 10/07/2022 17:15

ApolloandDaphne · 10/07/2022 16:57

I wouldn't consider health checks as unnecessary. It's once every 5 years at your age so hardly onerous.

It's every three years until you are over 50. So if you have one at 49 you have another at 52 and the next at 57.

If you have one at 50, you have your next at 55.

DobbyTheHouseElk · 10/07/2022 17:18

Definitely go. I thought the same as you and I’ve tested positive. I’m getting another in a year. It can be dormant in your system for decades.

( I wonder if my covid vaccination set it off. Apparently it presents when you are run down and I’ve reacted badly to every vaccine. )

LaFeuilleMorte · 10/07/2022 17:18

Doing things the way we do means that I only need to have one test whether or not I test positive for HPV, and don’t have to go back if I need a cell culture. I also like the idea that someone gets a look and can spot any signs of erosion etc which might or might not be something. We are really lucky to have screening programmes and I make use of all of them.

Stuffin · 10/07/2022 17:23

LaFeuilleMorte · 10/07/2022 17:18

Doing things the way we do means that I only need to have one test whether or not I test positive for HPV, and don’t have to go back if I need a cell culture. I also like the idea that someone gets a look and can spot any signs of erosion etc which might or might not be something. We are really lucky to have screening programmes and I make use of all of them.

I used to agree but in the past they have really hurt and I have had nurses that have basically told me off for wincing when they made me bleed heavily or being a 'baby' for gripping the side of the bed after such experiments even though I was wasn't stopping the procedure or even saying a word to them.

Lorzest · 10/07/2022 17:51

I’m with you @theskyispurple but it won’t be long before someone brings up factually inaccurate references to Jade Goody and makes out you should be grateful for whatever you are offered screening wise. Personally I’m not grateful for the tear to my perineum I got the last TWO times I went for this. IMHO it’s womens health care by numbers. I’m sure the NHS are rueing the guilt inducing emotionally manipulative campaigns they have run in the past now that they want to roll back the test frequency.

SkiingIsHeaven · 10/07/2022 17:53

You will kick yourself if something bad happens in the future.

It doesn't take long. Don't take the risk.

stillherenow · 10/07/2022 18:00

I'd get the HPV test. I tested neg on last smear and have been celibate since so wont be having another smear . If I ever meet someone I'll get the vaccine . Unfortunately as I'm menopausal they're just too painful now anyway.

stillherenow · 10/07/2022 18:02

I didn't know you could self test for hPv. Why the hell do they open your cervix for it then?!!

Lorzest · 10/07/2022 18:07

🙄should also have added that the blood from the tear to the perineum contaminated the sample so it couldn’t be tested anyway.

so many tedious myths about smears, doesn’t hurt, won’t take long, the nurse might ‘spot’ another problem
while she’s up there… how cervical screening became a moral crusade will be the title of a thesis in the future.

Stuffin · 10/07/2022 18:09

stillherenow · 10/07/2022 18:02

I didn't know you could self test for hPv. Why the hell do they open your cervix for it then?!!

It's only in recent years I have seen these sold. I contemplated it last time then having read the NHS leaflet about when they look at your cervix cells I am determined to do it rather than go through a smear test for potentially no benefit.

PriamFarrl · 10/07/2022 18:12

midairchallenger · 10/07/2022 17:08

Having an invasive internal examination to gather cells that will never be looked at is the definition of unnecessary.

HPV testing is not invasive and should be done separately without subjecting women to unnecessary invasive examinations.

Show quote history

What makes you say they are never looked at?

stillherenow · 10/07/2022 18:13

My letter for my last smear said they only looked for HPV. And it's a pain I cannot tolerate again . Great news about the home testing.

stillherenow · 10/07/2022 18:14

So they take the smear in case the HPV test is positive.

That's bloody outrageous!! Do the test then do the smear if necessary!!

Stuffin · 10/07/2022 18:15

What makes you say they are never looked at?

The leaflet I read said they are only looked at if you test positive for HPV. Therefore if I am negative which I have been then they are never examined.

I therefore would prefer the HPV test in my own home done by myself than undergo a smear test.