Smear test - cell changes

[DaysofHoney]

Hello,

I have had my recent smear test result back (live overseas so possibly a different test), and doc said there are some cell changes - she said very common but they are now sending it off for HPV test.

Obviously I’m panicking (just lost dad to cancer, friend in for breast surgery today), it just feels all around me.

I’ve had regular, normal smears for my whole life so this was a bit of a shock. I’m 41. No symptoms of anything except perhaps spotting a little longer in the few days after my period ends.

Can anyone offer a hand hold or info about what might happen next, I don’t really want to google.

TIA

It’s really very common and not a big deal, so I wouldn’t worry. Have you ever had an HPV test before? I mean my first thought would be where you might have acquired HPV at 41. It can, of course, hang around 10 ish years before making any cellular changes, so if you do have one of the higher risk strains, you could have had it awhile. If you’ve had a new partner in recent years, then that’s something to consider. I had abnormal cells appear within about 5 years of acquiring HPV.

As for what happens next, you’ll likely be referred for a colposcopy, where they put essentially vinegar on your cervix and look at the tissue through a special magnifying scope. They may take some biopsies. Then they’ll know what sort of changes have occurred and what to do next.

I had abnormal cells in mid 20s ish. Biopsy said they were abnormal, but nothing abnormal enough to do anything about. My smear stayed abnormal for about 2 years. And then it went back to normal. I’ve never had another abnormal one since and I’m 45 now. I did have the high risk strains of HPV, but those have cleared as well. Most recent test came back negative, no HPV and nothing unusual on smear.

It’s very common and most likely will be nothing much. They will offer you more regular smears probably. I think I had them every 6 months for a few years, so do take up that offer just to keep an eye on things.

Thanks, been married for 10+ years and have very very infrequent intercourse (but can’t imagine DH to have been unfaithful)!

I did however have HPV when I was much much younger (in my mid 20s) when I found out because of a wart that appeared, but never any recurrence or anything since. So I assumed it cleared.

I also seem to have fallen in a blank space between my last NHS screening test (Feb 2019), and now. I’ve only recently been called for it, and the last one wouldn’t have been an HPV first test?

Gosh I do have terrible health anxiety - I know I do. Thanks for your reassurance, I will try to stay calm (also just extremely squeamish and sensitive to any gynae procedures).