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 🤷

What will be the advice for the generation who have been vaccinated against HPV, will they still need screening tests ?

I understand why you might feel this way but I would still advise getting it done especially if you’ve had abnormalities in the past. Don’t forget that your GP will be able to physically have a look at your cervix and make sure there are no obvious visible abnormalities as well as doing the smear test. If I knew I was HPV negative but with previous cell changes I would personally be tempted to get a private smear test done so that the cells get looked at as well.

I hope so. My best friend and I were both vaccinated against HPV before we'd had sex, and both have had positive HPV results at a smear.
Statistically unlikely I'm sure, but still clearly possible.

Yes, there is. I am going private for that reason, having had CIN3 and my last sample only being checked for HPV. I’m not comfortable with that. £400 ish I’ve been quoted.

I would go. I have CIN 1 last year, and there was a visable area of abnornal cells they could say. Went for a smear last week and they said that the area of concern has now gone. They've done a test for HPV, but for me the more valuable results is that the abornmal cells are no longer there.

For those who hate smears for whatever reason I would really advise putting the speculum in yourself.

I hate them, had one last week. I was sobbing on the couch for about 10 minutes, it was awful. The nurse suggested I put it in myself and it was so easy, it just slid in ( I am menopausal so it would be even easier if you werent)

I just don't understand now why they put it in when it's so easy for the woman to do it. It's being poked at that I find so traumatic and I have had terribly painful smears In the past.

See not say*

The change in screening is appalling.

I’ve tried multiple times to discuss this with my GP and she said even if she requests for cytology (cell screening) with smear, the sample will be ignored by the lab without a positive HPV result.

I think Nuffield do private smears with the needed cytology for around £200 (regardless of HPV result).

The whole system needs a massive overhaul. They use equipment that is outdated and uncomfortable when there have been far less uncomfortable equipment available and in use abroad for years now.

I have not been able to access one since I was 24. I'm now 43. I have severe PCOS and Endometriosis and my periods are incredibly irregular. I tried to book a few times and explained the above and said I needed to call and get it done on short notice due to those circumstances. The people on the desk fobbed me off, said they can't do that, and they book a month away. Every time I did book, my period was either in residence on the day of the appointment so cancelled (wasting an appointment) or I went and the nurse got annoyed because I wasn't at the right point of my cycle. The last time this happened was the end for me. The nurse had a right go at me for wasting her time, and being an "idiot" who didn't know my cycle. She had no empathy that I never know my cycle as my period comes when it wants. I was in tears and she was telling me I lied about my cycle and wasted everyone's time. I tried to say I told the lady on the desk this on booking and she again called me a liar.
I reported to practice manager who gave a half hearted apology but that nurse is still there.

They make out the importance but let's be honest, female healthcare is non-existent in the UK. It's all "lose weight" and nothing else. If it was so vital I would be able to book when I know I'm at the right place in my cycle.

I did read the original comment properly. You made what sounded like a general comment. Even if it was directed at the OP, how would being so nasty be helpful? But you weren’t trying to be helpful, were you?

Threads about cervical screening are always full of women who find them traumatic or painful, and it’s an emotive topic, so it’s irresponsible and unkind to make a
comment about not attending being ‘evolution in action’. Guaranteed someone who struggles to attend for those reasons has read your comment and been upset by it. The issue here is not me being dramatic.

berksandbeyond · Today 07:38
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?

well to continue your fire analogy; do you have a sprinkler system in your home? No? That would be safer than a smoke alarm. It comes down to what is effective and proportionate. A self administered HPV test is the equivalent of a smoke alarm for me. Smear tests have some negatives for some people (painful, traumatic etc) and are associated with false positives and over treatment that itself has negative outcomes in some cases.

The nurse told me that they look for visual changes as well as the hpv test so that made me feel that it was worth it. It's so annoying though, especially if you have a history, why on earth wouldn't they look at it when they have it there.

That’s weird because I was told this week they do both ? Check for HPV as well as looking at cells ?

That’s just awful, and yes I’ve had some totally ignorant people perform smears in the past. Actually brutal for no other reason than I’d annoyed them by being unwell.
when I was scanned for pcos the radiographer made a big show of putting a paper towel over my body to cover me. After the test she said “well I can’t see anything wrong with you” and ripped the paper cover off me exposing me to the male worker in the room, then left. I never went back for the results. Years later during my first antenatal appointment the midwife had a fit at me as I didn’t tell her I had severe pcos. Apparently there were loads of cysts and they were visible.

it was a horrific experience and because she gave a diagnosis she wasn’t qualified to give and was wrong, I didn’t go for follow up care.

I don’t go for smears now or any cancer screening for my own reasons. I’m too Ill already with life limiting issues, I wouldn’t want to know as I wouldn’t want treatment and I’m not going to waste anyone’s time or the nhs money to be out in the awkward position of saying no.

But you might test HPV negative yet have cervical polyps which can become cancerous. And if no one's looking at your cervix you wouldn't know.
I frequently refer women for polyps.

That’s weird because I was told this week they do both ? Check for HPV as well as looking at cells ?

The NHS will only look at the cells if certain types of HPV (that can cause cancer) are found. So they will do both if you have HPV, not if you don't.

From the link:
"If these types of HPV are found, the sample is then checked for any changes in the cells of your cervix."

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cervical-screening/

It's basically the only part of the smear test now. If you are HPV negative they don't look any further at anything else. It's crap.

The ignorance about smear testing, and cervical cancer generally on this thread is astounding.

i really despair at how many people willingly submit themselves to this without a single bit of research, and then act as gatekeepers.

Which just underscores how pointless and dangerous this test now is. If you happen to be negative at the date of the smear a nice little colony of abnormal cells could be present but won’t be spotted and will have years to grow before the next test. If that also is negative then it still won’t be picked up.

The test can easily lull a woman into a false sense of security even if they did get some symptoms as they may well think that “clear” result of that smear
3 months ago means that nothing is wrong.

There is no substitute for a woman knowing her body and what is normal for her and what is not, despite what screening tests say.

I’m sure there are very many women not going now because of the change in testing . Perhaps the stats will push for a change.

I’d never have it done at a GP surgery even if I was HPV positive, I’d insist on a hospital referral (or pay for a private specialist nurse). I never have blood tests at the GP surgery either (veins terrible after chemo) and always go to the hospital specialist nurses.

Wish there was an edit function….

I went for all my smears when they did actually check for cells. Now I see no point for me. I would also pay for a proper screen but the current NHS offering is not fit for purpose.

Same here, I asked from age 25 to get checked for PCOS, they did a lone blood test nothing else and have treated me for every PCOS symptom as a completely separate condition - severe acne I got roaccutane, insane heavy periods I got an ablation or tablets.

I asked to get sterilised they said no to me for 5 years and a consultant I got referred to for a possible hysterectomy fobbed me off.

I eventually got so seriously unwell with anaemia I had a HB of 7.8 and at that point, they realised I was going to either need monthly transfusions or to actually have the organ removed. On my discharges I’ve always had ovarian cysts removed as well - but no diagnosis of PCOS!

I did keep pushing though and eventually got the result I wanted

To clarify, I’m not being rude, but I’ve never had a GP nurse be able to get blood out of me! I can be there for ages. Blood test at the hospital is quick and much less painful. So I’m guessing the same might be true for a cervical smear ! (Although my most painful one ever was by a consultant!)

Can HPV not lie dormant and then suddenly become an issue even if you've not had sex in years? I have and will always go for cervical screening. As some have said, better a pointless test than living with what ifs or I wishs

Caught that too lol
No one's ever remarked on the beauty/flawlessness of my cervix 😔