Have I got this right regarding HPV and smears?

[Redgreencoverplant]

So just had my smear results letter through. It states that I had a HPV negative test and so they have not bothered to check my sample for abnormal cells and they will recall me in 3 years.

The NHS only offer HPV testing through a smear test but it is available privately as a urine test through the post. If the NHS are only going to check cells if HPV positive surely I can just do the urine test every 3 years and only have a smear if that comes back positive?

Is that right? And why aren't the NHS using urine testing for HPV? I'm sure most women would prefer that!

That seems unusual. They should definitely be checking the cells. Are you sure you’ve read the letter correctly?

Yes and the nurse explained it too Frazzy. It's a new thing where they don't bother checking the cells if HPV negative.

Letter attached

Yep, I've had that too. The nurse said that it'll reduce the false positives for abnormal cells, that we all have variations in cells but doesn't mean cancer.

She also said that all cervical cancer cases tested positive for HPV so will they now have a policy to check for HPV and if negative they won't check the cells but they will if the sample's positive.

Still paranoid it's a cost cutting thing and I've been hoodwinked

They did the same thing with mine 🤷

So as long as I do the urine HPV tests I won't need another smear unless the result comes back positive?!

Watching with interest. I would rather pay for a private urine test in that case.

Is this a new thing? I had my smear test back in January and got the normal letter.

I last had one in Jan Enig (sample wasn't enough hence being recalled) and it wasn't then. Nurse explained it has come in since.

I didn't realise this. I hate having it done, if they're purely screening for HPV and not looking at the cells, why the invasive screening?
Is the urine rest as reliable? If so, I'd much sooner have that!

Yes I had this too, it's Primary HPV Screening currently in pilot areas and being rolled out nationally next year.

phescreening.blog.gov.uk/2017/06/14/what-gps-need-to-know-about-the-introduction-of-primary-hpv-testing-in-cervical-screening/

This worries me. I know that I had high risk hpv 10 years ago. A recent test was negative for hpv. I worry that although I’ve cleared the hpv it could still have causedcell changes that won’t be checked for under the new system. I haven’t been able to get a decent answer on this though.

I have to say the thought of being able to do a urine sample through the post rather than a smear is liberating. No more having to book an appt, get time off work, undress and have someone root around inside me. Just a quick urine sample in my own bathroom and then pop in post.

I had this too.

I am worried because I had irregular bleeding, very heavy periods, some last up to 21 days. History of irregular cells, unexplained bleeding in pregnancy (regular and heavy), family history of cervical cancer, sudden heavy bleeding when they did the smear... I told the person doing my smear all of this.

But because I was negative for HPV they didn't look further.

Presumably it is based on solid evidence. My understanding is that it is the norm in some other countries.

I don't know what to make of it, I really hope it's not a cost cutting exercise. On the other hand it will encourage more women to have the test.

This worries me, and I had the same thing earlier in the year as we're in a pilot area. It's by no means 100% of cervical cancer that is linked to HPV, what about the other forms?

According to the Cancer Council Patch the very rare types that aren't caused by HPV can't be detected by smear tests so I guess that isn't factored into the decision.

If HPV testing finds that a woman does not have high risk HPV then her chances of developing a cancer within 5 years are very small.

This is an extract from the clicks link. Very small risk but not no risk. So poster who has the family history and current problems I’d go back to your gp with a print out of the literature.

NHS site says 'almost all' cases of cervical cancer linked to HPV, but other sites say 80-90%, which means a significant number might be missed if HPV negative samples are not examined for abnormal cells.

Fair enough redgreen thank you!

How does one go about booking the private urine test? And why isn’t it available on the nhs?

The HPV urine test is apparently standard in Finland and Holland and has been for several years. I'm sure it would massively improve uptake and it must be more cost effective.

You can order one from Superdrug Apple by the looks of it :) No idea why it isn't offered on the NHS!

According to cervical screening Wales 99.7% of cervical cancers have HPV present so seems a negative result is pretty safe.

I can't understand it! I reckon a urine test would see a significant increase in uptake.