I don't think I need to go for smear test

[deathbollywood]

have been married for 20 years, we were both each others first sexual partners, given CC is passed through sexual contact, I don't think I need to go for smear tests as I must be v low/no risk?

@RachC2021

Have you seen a pelvic floor specialist? I only ask as you say you can no longer get a tampon in, possible sign of prolapse.

Thanks @MintJulia, that's helpful. So if the virus can reactivate, any one who has ever had sexual contact should test for HPV from time to time I guess? I think there's talk of having home kits/less invasive ways of checking for HPV in the near future, which is good news, or might already be available?

Cervical cancer is sheer F* agony too and some people don't make it! I wouldn't say this is an interesting debate when cancer is on the table. I understand how painful a smear can be and there are options of pain relief you can discuss with your nurse!

@cptartapp

It isn't hereditary. Just because one smear is normal doesn't mean you can't still be carrying the HPV virus. It can lie dormant and 'flare up'. There are a small percentage of cervical cancers not HPV related. Practice nurse.

Then why don't smears check the cells rather than just testing for HPV?

So many people saying that you can have cervical cancer without HPV.

So why don't the smears check for CC any more? Why do they only test for HPV? And why aren't women informed about this?

And 'a few minutes discomfort' is not the case for everybody.

Absolute agony as they poke and prod and end up forcing it inside is not 'discomfort'.
Nurses saying 'don't make a fuss' when it feels like they're attacking me with a knife is not 'discomfort'. 'Just relax' they say 'it's just a moment'

Well it fucking isn't for some of us.

I am currently waiting to see if I'm clear of cervical cancer - after being diagnosed last year and having chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
I never missed a smear and they were always clear - I have not ever registered having HPV either which is a small percentage - however still a percentage however small :(
Smear tests - yes they look for HPV but they can look for irregular things too (they could see my tumour when I had a check up )
I would def have 5 minutes of uncomfort than 3 months of chemo, radiotherapy brachytherapy (which trust me- delves a lot deeper than a smear!!) x

@poshme

So many people saying that you can have cervical cancer without HPV.

So why don't the smears check for CC any more? Why do they only test for HPV? And why aren't women informed about this?

And 'a few minutes discomfort' is not the case for everybody.

Absolute agony as they poke and prod and end up forcing it inside is not 'discomfort'.
Nurses saying 'don't make a fuss' when it feels like they're attacking me with a knife is not 'discomfort'. 'Just relax' they say 'it's just a moment'

Well it fucking isn't for some of us.

It is crazy and I have been trying to spread awareness to all I know; it is crazy and they say 80% of people can have HPV too. My cancer wasn't because of HPV and that worried me that if I hadn't gone forward and kept going back to the doctors than things may have been a lot different!

I understand when people say a moment of discomfort is not the same for everybody- however if you struggle with smears than the cancer treatment would be even worse - it's not easy.

My understanding is that HPV can come and go.
I've had a positive HPV result before with no abnormal cells.
Next time the result was negative.
I've been in a monogamous relationship for the whole time.

[quote Hairwizard]@RachC2021

Have you seen a pelvic floor specialist? I only ask as you say you can no longer get a tampon in, possible sign of prolapse.[/quote]
I haven’t no. I’ve only discovered this yesterday — had chemo for breast cancer last year. That stopped my periods after a couple of cycles. Then I’ve been on ovarian suppression since (Zoladex), plus Letrozole. Full on hot flushes etc. No periods for a year now, but found a little fresh blood yesterday and thought I’d try a tampon — no go. Thankfully nothing since. I’ll be mentioning it to the hospital when I’m next in later this month.

PPs who are urging the OP to have a smear, are you all aware they don't check for cancerous cells anymore?
Maybe you are and I apologise.
However, a lot of the responses read like you think they still do this (they do not, they are only checking for the presence of HPV).
Would this change your replies?

I'd love to be able to go for my long overdue smear, but there's no mental health support at the moment. So while the nurse may be lovely and do her best for me during the actual appointment, it still hurts and she can't cure the months of flashbacks, nightmares and panic attacks they trigger.

@RedToothBrush Totally agree.

@RedToothBrush

You don't need to go for screening. You need to have one if you have symptoms which give cause for concern.

Its is advised that you should go for screening. However all screening has risks - one of the first replies on this thread said 'whats the harm in having a smear' in a tone which suggests there is no risk at all which I find alarming. That minimises the fact there are risks with screening which you should be fully aware of in order to make an informed choice.

Lack of sexual partners isn't something which is advised as meaning you shouldn't have screening though. So if this fact is the basis of you deciding not to go, its flawed.

I have more sympathy with posters who have been distressed by an intimate procedure. Screening has damaged their mental health and it should not be dismissed nor should people be telling them to get over it or take medication to go again. Thats insane and harmful.

The advice is for screening but its not compulsory and consent has to be free - not laced with emotional blackmail and coercion which always comes up on these threads. Choosing not to have them is a legitimate choice - but even then you should be aware that if you have symptoms you need to get checked out (and this is different from screening).

Make decisions for accurate reasons and that suit your personal circumstances. Its no one else's damn business what you decide - don't get sucked into the blackmail or doing the blackmailing.

This 👏🏻👏🏻

Maybe you should have one - you never know & we are lucky to have a free cancer check!
I have menopausal vaginal atrophy eased a bit by HRT but still definitely there.
Before a smear, I use Vagifem every night for a fortnight & I take paracetamol about an hour before the procedure.
Let the nurses know about the atrophy & in my experience, they will take it very gently, use a small speculum, etc.
I appreciate I have probably been fortunate with my experiences.

@MenopauseSucks is it really a cancer check when they only check for HPV though?