To think I may as well ignore my invite for cervical screening

iLovee · 13/05/2023 22:46

Just go. Its not worth the risk.

SpaghettiSquash · 13/05/2023 22:47

I always ignore it.

justplantedbulbs · 13/05/2023 22:53

Just get checked. It really isn't worth the risk. I knew someone who 'didn't have the time' then when she did it was too late. Her twins are left without a mum now. I've never been embarrassed since about going.

Ponoka7 · 13/05/2023 22:54

My consultant tries to get me to go yearly (because of other health issues). When I put the HPV argument to her, she agreed with me. I'm not sexually active.

Batalax · 13/05/2023 22:56

My cancer was found via a smear! I was lucky…

Wishona · 13/05/2023 22:56

I asked this. Apparently they are still likely to spot cells under the microscope and spot things like thrush too. They send your history with your sample so they’ll probably have an extra good look.

Id rather risk a pointless test than live with ‘what ifs’

Mylittlesandwich · 13/05/2023 22:57

I go because it's the "right" thing to do but I had treatment for CIN4 with no HPV. So by the new testing it wouldn't have been picked up.

Mylittlesandwich · 13/05/2023 22:58

CIN3 not 4, fat fingers.

JandalsAlways · 13/05/2023 22:58

My friends friend died 2 years ago from cervical cancer, she was 38. Go

Blancmangemouse · 13/05/2023 22:58

I would love to know if there is a way to get a ‘full’ smear privately. Anyone know?

I know I am HPV negative. I haven’t had sex since my last smear.

adularia · 13/05/2023 22:58

I feel the same, I know people in the same position who had abnormal cells but were HPV negative (they now only check the cells from your smear if they swab and you’re HPV positive, for those who aren’t aware). I have ‘unusual cells’ which the hospital wanted to keep an eye on, but as I’m HPV negative they haven’t been checked since even though I’ve been for my smear - they didn’t care about my history when I told them 🤷‍♀️

Wishona · 13/05/2023 23:01

Mylittlesandwich · 13/05/2023 22:57

I go because it's the "right" thing to do but I had treatment for CIN4 with no HPV. So by the new testing it wouldn't have been picked up.

Same, I used to test between partners and never picked up HPV.

garlicandsapphires · 13/05/2023 23:02

Blancmangemouse · 13/05/2023 22:58

I would love to know if there is a way to get a ‘full’ smear privately. Anyone know?

I know I am HPV negative. I haven’t had sex since my last smear.

But can't it lie dormant and resurface at any time?
I have had HPV and CIN 1
I still go for a smear regardless of being HPV negative
Cervical cancer is a relatively easy cancer to spot, we are 'lucky' to have this screening available (is how I think about it)

Cockle1234 · 13/05/2023 23:05

I was treated for CIN3 a number of years ago. This year's post smear letter confirmed I'm HPV negative. I hadn't thought of it until I read your post, but you're right, the new way doesn't fill me with confidence now.

Blancmangemouse · 13/05/2023 23:07

garlicandsapphires · 13/05/2023 23:02

But can't it lie dormant and resurface at any time?
I have had HPV and CIN 1
I still go for a smear regardless of being HPV negative
Cervical cancer is a relatively easy cancer to spot, we are 'lucky' to have this screening available (is how I think about it)

Show quote history

I’ve never tested positive for hpv, and I haven’t had sex for 10 years…

I will go for the smear anyway, but I would pay to have one give me a thorough check, because I am pretty sure that if I get cervical cancer it will not be due to HPV

legospringqueen · 13/05/2023 23:16

How do people know they are HPV negative or positive? Is this part of the smear test now?

Hurryupandleave · 13/05/2023 23:18

I thought exactly the same (not worth bothering if they're not even going to look at the sample) until a nurse explained how important the visual exam is, and promptly spotted a cervical ectropian while doing my smear. I don't find them easy (past trauma) but I just go now, it's a few minutes out of my life and I know I would blame myself if I didn't go and the worst happened.

WhatHappenedToYoyos · 13/05/2023 23:22

Ignoring a request for your smear test means evolution is doing its job.

I had it clearly explained to me by the nurse at my last smear and for that reason I'll be going every time.

TeaKitten · 13/05/2023 23:27

they will test me for HPV and if still negative, they won't check for abnormal cells.... So what is the point in me getting a smear?

Obviously the point is that if the test is positive, they will check for abnormal cells. I do no understand your logic.

michealsmum1998 · 13/05/2023 23:29

TeaKitten · 13/05/2023 23:27

they will test me for HPV and if still negative, they won't check for abnormal cells.... So what is the point in me getting a smear?

Obviously the point is that if the test is positive, they will check for abnormal cells. I do no understand your logic.

The point is a lot of us are HPV negative and now our pre cancerous cells would not be picked up as they do NOT look for them now only HPV. So there is very little point having a smear test.

SurferRona · 13/05/2023 23:29

@Wishona whoever told you that doesn’t know what happens, or was lying. Since the change, the smear is not put under a microscope, it’s tested for HPV instead. If that’s positive, only then is it microscoped. Basically, the screening doesn’t pick up non-HPV related cell changes, or cervical cancer. No medical person has been able to justify this when I’ve asked, or explain the risks and benefits for me as an individual, although from an epidemiological point I can see it’s a different perspective

ScotchPine · 13/05/2023 23:33

WhatHappenedToYoyos · 13/05/2023 23:22

Ignoring a request for your smear test means evolution is doing its job.

I had it clearly explained to me by the nurse at my last smear and for that reason I'll be going every time.

What a nasty thing to say. Many people find the test extremely difficult to attend due to past trauma.

Menora · 13/05/2023 23:35

Isn’t the reason you can text negative as HPV is transient? You can have HPV + then next time it's gone. I had CIN3 and no idea if HPV as so long ago but I ended up going for 10 years to have yearly smears as some came back with small cell changes. I had it all removed 3 years ago. I had symptoms of my CIN which is why I went in the first place but I would always go anyway

MordredsOrrery · 13/05/2023 23:38

Same as you, OP. Abnormal cells removed previously, HPV negative. Just checked with surgery and there's no way they can check for anything other than HPV, so if it's all going south again with abnormal cells there's no way to know. I'm so sick of the pressure getting put on to go for a test that's utterly worthless if you're in the minority who have abnormal cells but no HPV.

Wishona · 13/05/2023 23:39

SurferRona · 13/05/2023 23:29

@Wishona whoever told you that doesn’t know what happens, or was lying. Since the change, the smear is not put under a microscope, it’s tested for HPV instead. If that’s positive, only then is it microscoped. Basically, the screening doesn’t pick up non-HPV related cell changes, or cervical cancer. No medical person has been able to justify this when I’ve asked, or explain the risks and benefits for me as an individual, although from an epidemiological point I can see it’s a different perspective

Ah well I’ll keep my fingers crossed then 😂
It’s not great is it…

She did say they send all your history with the sample though

Looks like you can still get a traditional smear at a private hospital 😒