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Original poster

Cervical Cancer with no HPV?

41 replies

Cloodybunt · 07/08/2023 13:00

So, I have cruised through a few threads on here because I am in a bit of a tailspin, which will probably turn out to be a total drama about nothing, but....

I am a long time post menopause, which was completely unremarkable other than that it was exceptionally early..... at this stage I think I am more male than female if my chin hairs are anything to go by.

I have had one partner my whole life (I feel like a weirdo saying it but hey, I locked the tracker beams on and stuck with that one special penis). He also has had one partner so we are both weirdos together.

Because of that I have really not bothered with smear tests, which I am now thinking might have been really stupid. I reluctantly had one many years ago as a part of a well woman thing and they confirmed I was HPV negative, so I assumed it was really not an issue I needed to concern myself with.

Fast forward to today and strange things are happening. I thought I had thrush, but two cycles of over the counter treatment didn't work, and it wasn't really itchy just immense insidy discomfort and a lot of watery discharge, which also reeks a bit. I'm having to wear pads all the time or I leave puddles. Then I tried the over counter treatment for bacterial vaginosis, that didn't work and the pessaries felt like I had shoved razor blades up my floofer. Then the GP prescribed metronidazole, that has not worked either.

In addition, doing the deed has become extremely painful. This is not a dryness issue.

In addition, last year I had a raft of tests because my urine always has blood in it, but a scoot in my bladder revealed all was fine and no one had any idea where the blood was coming from. They concluded by saying bladder healthy, no need to worry. So I didn't. This also might have been stupid.

So I'm googling because Dr Google has all the answers, but based on the above collection of symptoms, and the possibility that the blood in the urine was not from the bladder after all.... all roads point to some kind of cervical cancer risk.

I have accepted that maybe I am a bit of a tit, and booked a smear for a few weeks - it was the soonest I could get...

BUT, am I in a tailspin over nothing? If I have never caught HPV, then surely I cant get cervical cancer, and this is simply some horrible fanny rot associated with being a dried up old hag?

If anyone can give me some pointers, or reassurance that would be fab. Of course, I just checked my critical illness insurance is still valid so I am veering to worst case scenario which I know is idiotic and dramatic......

OP posts:
DustyLee123 · 07/08/2023 13:03

I’d try some vaginal oestrogen

Newname211 · 07/08/2023 13:03

I have no advice, but I loved the way you worded this.

DustyLee123 · 07/08/2023 13:03

How old are you ?

QuestionableMouse · 07/08/2023 13:04

A smear is probably a good idea but honestly there are loads of other, benign things it could so I wouldn't panic yet (easier said than done, I know!)

DustyLee123 · 07/08/2023 13:05

And not all cervical cancers are caused by HPV which is why you do need smears

QuestionableMouse · 07/08/2023 13:05

Also a sexual health clinic might be better placed to advise - not saying you have a STI but they only deal with that area!

Curseofthenation · 07/08/2023 13:08

I'm the same as you OP, only one partner and I'm his one and only two. I'm not in the same age bracket as you but I'm currently still going for smear tests despite being HPV negative. My justification is that the nurse may spot something while taking the sample. I don't know what the chances of that are but obviously some cervical cancers aren't caused by HPV. That said, it's still unlikely that you have cervical cancer but there is absolutely no harm in checking.

I would also be chasing up my GP to run a few more tests for UTIs etc.

dementedpixie · 07/08/2023 13:08

A smear is only a screening test so if you have symptoms you should be having different tests so I'd see your GP.

Curseofthenation · 07/08/2023 13:09

*too 🤦‍♀️

Curseofthenation · 07/08/2023 13:12

@DustyLee123 They only look over samples that test positive for HPV though. It says this on the cervical screening letter. Like I say, I still think it's worth doing in case the nurse spots a mass/something not quite right whole taking the sample.

OooohAhhhh · 07/08/2023 13:13

You sound extremely naïve to think that cervical cancer is dependant upon how many sexual
partners you have had? You can still get cervical cancer without HPV. You should attend all smears whenever you are due. That's not to say you have it of course, I'd make an appointment with the GP and mention you are long overdue a smear test.

RoadSignFool · 07/08/2023 13:13

DustyLee123 · 07/08/2023 13:05

And not all cervical cancers are caused by HPV which is why you do need smears

I think you must have missed the recent changes to the way that smears work on the NHS now. They test for HPV first now. If no HPV the cells are not analysed further.

So a routine smear will not detect a cancer not caused by HPV. There is only a very tiny risk of one though, hence the change to the process is not thought to be a statistically significant increased risk on a population level.

SophieinParis · 07/08/2023 13:15

You can get cervical cancer without HPV, and one negative test doesn’t mean you’ve never had HPV.

Are you in the Uk? You really don’t need to wait that long. Go to your GP and tell them you are concerned about cervical cancer and they’ll sort a smear sooner. Or go private.

ThreeLittleDots · 07/08/2023 13:17

I think you would be wise to book a full STI screening. You can never be 100% sure.

dementedpixie · 07/08/2023 13:19

It's not a smear you'd get if you were having symptoms though. You'd be sent for other tests as a smear is just a screening test

Original poster
Cloodybunt · 07/08/2023 15:34

OooohAhhhh · 07/08/2023 13:13

You sound extremely naïve to think that cervical cancer is dependant upon how many sexual
partners you have had? You can still get cervical cancer without HPV. You should attend all smears whenever you are due. That's not to say you have it of course, I'd make an appointment with the GP and mention you are long overdue a smear test.

Oh dear, maybe I am.

To be clear though, I am not saying it is a disease of the rampant shagger. Of course not.

But what I was trying to wade through (and unable to find a clear answer on via the internet, hence asking in here) was whether it is a disease that one can get if one is HPV negative.

Where I was coming from is that it seems that if both partners have definitely only shagged each other - it isn't possible to get HPV. I get that if you have only shagged one person but they have only shagged two, then your HPV positive status is nothing to do with the number of sexual partners you have had.

I never intended it to come across in a way that offered judgement on the number of sexual partners one has had. Just because my own sexual history is limited doesn't mean I have a value set around the right number of partners someone should have. I view it in the same terms as some people move house a lot while some people settle in one house and stay. Both sets of people are hopefully having fun with their penis/house for life or of the moment.

From some other comments above it sounds like it IS possible to be HPV negative (which I was told I was before), and I have both booked a smear test and asked for a follow up discussion with the GP to run through symptoms, so I think I am following the wise counsel that has been given above (thanks to those that have been helpful with that - I really appreciate it).

OP posts:
Zanatdy · 07/08/2023 15:37

They don’t test the sample any further now if you’re HPV negative, so there’s little point I guess in going for that (I assume, but don’t go on my say so, but I had a letter to say as I’m HPV negative they weren’t testing my sample any further). Your GP probably needs to refer to a gynaecologist for further testing

Gerrataere · 07/08/2023 15:43

I don’t believe all cervical cancer can be caused by HPV?

Though I had a hpv positive test last year, I’d only been with my partner for 14 years and regular smear tests. I am the only person he’d been sexual with. I don’t know if it laid laid dormant for all those years or… well I’m still wondering a lot. Luckily it’s now clear.

Moonberri · 07/08/2023 15:44

I had these symptoms with a uterine polyp. Had it taken out under GA. Very straightforward. Sounds like you need a referral to a gynae consultant.

I also always have blood in my urine and they've never been able to find any cause for it.

Atalanta1 · 07/08/2023 15:51

Yes, not all cervical cancers are caused by HPV, so you can have one…the probability is far far less but it’s not impossible. You can have cervical cancer having never had sexual intercourse. There are also gynae cancers and issues. I would suggest full sti checks for you both and a referral to gynaecology. You need answers for the bleeding too. Good luck.

swanling · 07/08/2023 15:52

If you are symptomatic you need to see your GP first, who can refer you for appropriate diagnostic investigation.

Smear tests are a screening tool for those without symptoms. It's not the correct path in the scenario described, not least of all because if you're still HPV negative nobody will actually review the sample taken.

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 07/08/2023 15:53

I'm pretty sure you CAN get cervical cancer without the presence of HPV even though it's a small percentage. There are all sorts of things this could be though ,one being lack of oestrogen which doesn't just present itself with dryness but all the things you describe including bladder issues. Have you seen a gynaecologist?

Onceuponaheartache · 07/08/2023 15:59

Seriously how do people of menopausal age get there without fully understanding why these tests are offered??!!

HPV is not the single cause if cervical cancer. HPV is also not solely transmitted via sex so the fact you and your partner are the only sexual partners either of you has had us irrelevant.

My best friend was 35, had the hpv vaccine, confirmed as not a carrier and died of cervical cancer last year.

Please stop being niaeve. I am gobsmacked your gp hasn't ousted harder for smear tests in the past.

With luck it is nothing but honestly, I'm sorry to be blunt but not having smears is really stupid.

Blinkingbonkers · 07/08/2023 16:07

Yes, the are some types of cervical cancer that are not caused by HPV. At the moment smear tests no longer test cells, just for HPV so the most you’ll be getting out of it is a visual check by the nurse. Call the gp, get an appointment and talk through your symptoms. It is likely to be something less sinister but it is definitely wise to get seen!!