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Original poster

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

200 replies

annlee3817 · 13/05/2023 22:44

I don't take this lightly, but I am HPV negative, I had CIN2 in 2014, and the abnormal cells were removed. I believe that now if I go for a smear, 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? I thought having had CIN2 they'd check mine on that basis, but apparently not... My cousin had CIN3 and also HPV negative 🤷

OP posts:
dreamonlucid · 13/05/2023 23:42

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!

Irritatedcashier · 13/05/2023 23:43

I'm vaccinated against HPV and have never tested positive for it. I don't see the point in going either. But I do. Awful every time.
I always get "eeee are you sure you've had 2 kids?" 🙄

Jamontoast1 · 13/05/2023 23:44

Why did they change the testing? I didn’t realise they had… quite a worrying change

Antisocialfluffmonster · 13/05/2023 23:49

I made the decision a few years ago that I would not be going for more. This was for a few different reasons. Firstly there was a change in the rules about hpv as indicated by lots of comments above, I was in the medical trial for the hpv vaccine and went through I think 15+ smears in 6 months as I genuinely believed I was doing something good for others.

but after genital piercings were classified as reportable in your medical notes as fgm I questioned whether I would go nhs for a smear again, and after a long hard think I decided to stop going (obviously i realise I’m outing myself as having one but I’m assuming we are all grown ups here)

I’m very sick, I have limited quality of life as it is, and if I got any form of cancer diagnosis, I’m not well enough as it stands to cope with treatment, and I have very little chance of having a liveable quality of life after it. So I don’t accept any screening or testing as I actually don’t want to know.

this might not be anyone else’s mindset, but for me I’d rather be oblivious.

if you’re younger and healthier though, there really are compelling reasons to go. Even with the stats on over diagnosis of cancers through screening.

but the new rules are simply based on a broad cost/benefit analysis as they’ve found that spending less money on in depth testing but screening more widely saves more life’s, it’s just what’s best broadly rather than best for an individual. If anyone was worried about it then private testing is the way to go

it’s such a personal decision and not an easy one as that. As long as you’re making an informed decision about it and not just ignoring it

Livingoffroyalities · 13/05/2023 23:55

Get the test.

You are assuming that you are HPV negative due to your previous treatment in 2014, however a HPV infection can become active again years down the line.

ThereIbledit · 13/05/2023 23:57

I had no idea about this change. Thanks for the heads up.

Seems regressive for women's healthcare.

MyFuckRationsAreDepleated · 14/05/2023 00:00

No matter how they try to sugar coat primary HPV testing, surely it’s just because it’s cheaper 🙄

Menora · 14/05/2023 00:03

MyFuckRationsAreDepleated · 14/05/2023 00:00

No matter how they try to sugar coat primary HPV testing, surely it’s just because it’s cheaper 🙄

I believe it’s science based too that HPV comes and goes. As HPV causes the cell changes in almost all cases, the idea is that you detect HPV then watch for changes but what this doesn’t account for is those with inactive HPV whose cells might have changed

Elphame · 14/05/2023 00:04

legospringqueen · 13/05/2023 23:16

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

The smear test is essentially just an HPV test now. Gone are the days when they were all checked for abnormal cells.

If it's positive for HPV they will check the cells. If it's negative then they don't.

I didn't bother attending for my last one as I am HPV negative and if I was to develop cervical cancer the test wouldn't pick it up.

WheresSpring · 14/05/2023 00:06

So many posting here that don’t understand! Your basic ‘smear test’ now ONLY tests for HPV. Which is pretty useless🤷🏼‍♀️. I’ve been variously HPV positive AND negative and have had CIN3 cells removed. I want them to check my cells (as they used to do) not the HPV (that my body cleared AGES ago). It’s beyond crap and another example of the nhs (the organisation, not its drs & nurses) being more useless and ineffectual than ever!!!! I would very happily pay for an ‘old fashioned’ genuine smear test if anyone can advise where to go!!

user1473878824 · 14/05/2023 00:08

Irritatedcashier · 13/05/2023 23:43

I'm vaccinated against HPV and have never tested positive for it. I don't see the point in going either. But I do. Awful every time.
I always get "eeee are you sure you've had 2 kids?" 🙄

Humble brags about cervixes is possibly peak Mumsnet

ididntknowthat11 · 14/05/2023 00:10

Agree that the HPV test on its own isn't enough. They should be checking for cell changes.

I'm in the position where I seem to constantly have HPV and I don't know why.

I'm early 40s, only had a total of 3 sexual partners, and been married for 12 years.

My body just doesn't seem to be able to clear the HPV and I don't know if that's an issue or not.

Latest smear result was last month - positive for HPV, no cell changes detected. Same as the previous one.

I would still go though, if I were you OP. The nurse can get a good look and raise any issues if she sees anything.

CharlotteRose90 · 14/05/2023 00:18

Just go for it. I had my last smear in 2019 and tested negative for everything, then despite not sleeping with anyone I had one 2 weeks ago and tested positive for hpv, it can and does lay dormant.

Menora · 14/05/2023 00:18

@ididntknowthat11 You should keep going as if you do have HPV, they will then automatically test the cells

FrostyFifi · 14/05/2023 00:32

If you don't mind paying the £50, you can get a home swab test kit from Superdrug and not have to put yourself through an invasive smear test. Then if it's positive you could have one knowing that at least they'll test the cells.

Blancmangemouse · 14/05/2023 00:33

I would very happily pay for an ‘old fashioned’ genuine smear test if anyone can advise where to go!!

I would too, @WheresSpring but I have done reasonably extensive research (via google) and cannot find anywhere that offers this :(

FrostyFifi · 14/05/2023 00:36

I think Nuffield Health checks for abnormal cells as well as HPV.

"Smears performed by Nuffield Health are tested for both the presence of high risk HPV subtypes and abnormal cells using liquid based cytology in all women over 25 (Dual Testing). Under the age of 25, the HPV testing will only be carried out if there are any abnormal cervical cells found."

YetMoreNewBeginnings · 14/05/2023 00:37

HPV can come and go so being negative last time doesn’t mean negative this time.

Also the visual exam by the nurse is always ignored on these threads. Even when several of us point out that’s how our issues were spotted and flagged up. It’s an important part of the smear

WetBandits · 14/05/2023 00:44

This crops up all the time on here and my advice is always the same: please, please go for your smears. You can ask for a small speculum if the standard size speculum puts you off; I’ve successfully taken smears using a virgin speculum before.

If a woman’s cervix looked even slightly unusual to me (and I see about 10 a day so I can recognise normal vs abnormal), I can make a referral to colposcopy with or without your HPV/cytology result. The visual examination is just as important. Please go, ladies.

Makingupfactstosuitmyagenda · 14/05/2023 00:46

*WhatHappenedToYoyos · Yesterday 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*

You had what explained by the nurse? Evolution? If you don’t get why some women don’t go then be grateful that you don’t have the same issues in your world and go about your life.

legospringqueen · 14/05/2023 00:49

@Elphame thanks, I had no idea about this change - that's a poor development for women's health.

bd67thSaysReinstateLangCleg · 14/05/2023 00:57

WetBandits · 14/05/2023 00:44

This crops up all the time on here and my advice is always the same: please, please go for your smears. You can ask for a small speculum if the standard size speculum puts you off; I’ve successfully taken smears using a virgin speculum before.

If a woman’s cervix looked even slightly unusual to me (and I see about 10 a day so I can recognise normal vs abnormal), I can make a referral to colposcopy with or without your HPV/cytology result. The visual examination is just as important. Please go, ladies.

I always ask for a small speculum and disclose my multiple sexual assault history. It's neither comfortable nor pleasant having a smear test, I get a morning appointment and book the whole day off work in case of flashbacks. I still get it done. Those boys and that man took my dignity and my bodily autonomy, I refuse to let them endanger my health on top of that abuse.

ittakes2 · 14/05/2023 01:18

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.

I had treatment for CIN3 and no hpv and so I get confused by all this. I think my consultant basically implied that the hpv testing is better now and people with abnormal cells do/did have hpv. But makes no sense to me as not all cancers created from hpv…

Floralnomad · 14/05/2023 01:25

Well I’m mid 50s , never had abnormal cells , never tested +ve for HPV and am not going for any more smears .

Ilovepugs2017 · 14/05/2023 01:38

Tbh even when they test the cells it isn’t 100%. I’ve tested hpv positive for the last 3 years with no cell changes however at a colposcopy they’ve found cell changes? Still waiting on biopsy results but makes me wonder how it’s been missed?