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

[annlee3817]

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 🤷

Just go for your smear. Wish my late relative had.

You're out of your mind, just go and access the incredible free first world medical care that is available to you and could save your life.

I’ve had multiple loop biopsies and cone biopsies etc. over the years, and the thought of another colposcopy or biopsy without anaesthetic is honestly terrifying. Last time the consultant refused to do it as he didn’t think I’d be able to stay in place as I was so absolutely terrified, knowing how painful it was going to be, and he kindly rebooked it with anaesthesia. I really wish that was the norm. It’s been putting me off going for my (overdue) smear. I didn’t realise HPV can lie dormant though. I tested negative last time, and I’m not sexually active so assumed that meant I was (probably) safe. Does anyone know if requests for anaesthesia are likely to be honoured if a smear shows a need for action?

If they really cared about women's health they would offer sedation with this. But they don't. If you hunt around you can still find a dentist who will gas you before touching your teeth because they understand how important dental health is for everyone, including phobic people. But women? No one cares about their fears. If you're too phobic/traumatised to get a smear, tough shit.

If you don't take it lightly then have your smear OP. It's uncomfortable, then it's over.

Almost all cervical cancers are linked to hpv.
Go get checked.
Hpv can lie dormant- so being negative one time doesn't mean you will never be positive.
The change of testing wasn't made on a whim....it is evidence based.

So much ignorance on this thread. HPV flares up at various points in your life and only during a flare up will you test positive. You can be negative one year and positive the next despite no sexual encounters in-between. You may have only had a negative test because your HPV was dormant at that time.

You can test yourself for HPV at home.

Is it possible to test positive for HPV and have no abnormal cells, and then by the time your next smear comes, you're negative for HPV but it has caused abnormal cells which are then not picked up?

I go to my smear tests, I have one next week in fact, but I don't like the change. My aunt had cervical cancer that was discovered after a smear found abnormal cells, but that was negative for HPV. Presumably that just wouldn't be picked up now.

I had smear done at harley street at private GP as wanted to test for both hpv and cell abnormalities. Was few hundred but worth piece of mind

I can see your argument but I think it is still worth going.

I went for a smear in January. All of mine have been clear thus far. I was put though for an urgent referral to hospital because they noticed a visual change to my cervix. They didn’t wait for the hpv test to come back negative.

Definitely worth going as a different gynaecological issue may be noticed.

@ScotchPine read the OP and title properly and you'll see they said "ignoring" the request. Not anything about past trauma.

Don't be so dramatic and make up things that aren't there.

I have gone from HPV negative to HPV positive between 2 smears with no sexual partner. It can be dormant. I absolutely would always go.
I was completely shocked to get the HPV positive!

Visual exam. Ha. The nurse who did my first smear said all looked fine. I did have abnormal cells but I also had genital warts that she completely missed.

I went from negative to positive between smears without having sex. It can be dormant.

HPV is transient, the majority of women will clear the virus naturally but a few won't. The youngest generation has been vaccinated against the virus and HPV will eventually disappear in the majority of our countries. Until then and for those of us who were too old for the vaccine, screening every 5 years, it's just a lawyer of protection against a preventable but horrible cancer.

Theres no chance of your pre cancerous cells being picked up if you don’t go at all. And HPV status can change.

It’s up to you of course, but if you end up with cervical cancer you don’t get to complain. If you don’t have a smoke alarm and your house burns down… well, actions have consequences don’t they?

Like other people on this thread I would like to have the option of a full screening and hopefully by the time I need another one I will be able to get one even if I have to pay. Just had some other investigations at hospital last year so had examination by consultant so feel better than a straight forward smear.

@ScotchPine read the OP and title properly and you'll see they said "ignoring" the request. Not anything about past trauma
@WhatHappenedToYoyos @ScotchPine said . Many people find the test extremely difficult to attend due to past trauma - it was a general comment not a comment specific to the OP. There are many reasons why your comment re: not going being ‘evolution’ is offensive and @ScotchPine was telling you one. Birth injury, other conditions affecting the vagina and vulva are two more. I don’t know how old you are but you may have a nasty shock coming to you post menopause…

This

I’m getting a self HPV test next time. I’m not having a smear again it’s too painful now. I’ve had a different cancer and have yearly scans so I fully understand my decision but the pain is just too much when the risk is so low.

I recently tested positive for HPV after pregnancy. I was confused as have never tested positive before. It can lie dormant for years and often show up after pregnancy - I had a baby last year. I think I know who gave it to me 10+ years and was very surprised to see this result. I always get checked as there has been cervical and ovarian cancer in my family.

Seeing as they only test for HPV now and only check the cells if you're positive, wouldn't it be cheaper (and less embarrassing for women, meaning more might take part) if they sent out home swab tests for HPV. Then if it comes back HPV positive then book in a full smear?

It does seem regressive doesn't it.

I had CIN3 (twice) long before the HPV testing was around. Luckily I ended up with a preventative hysterectomy as my cervix was gradually being removed. I wouldn't want to muck around with cervical cancer.