If you have an abnormal smear because of HPV does it mean you are always going to be at an increased risk of getting cervical cancer?

[Pinkchampagne]

I ask this because 11 years ago I had slight cell chages because of HPV, which went away & all my smears have been ok since, but the HPV doesn't get treated. Is this because you can't treat it & therefore I still have this virus inside me & will always be at increased risk of abnormal smears?

Sorry for appearing stupid here but know little about it & the whole cervical cancer thread has got me worried.

The simple answer is NO. Most HPV infections clear up (and go away) on their own without you ever knowing there was a problem.

There's always a chance you could get reinfected though so its important to keep up your smear tests.

I had an abnormal smear almost 20 years ago and had cryotherapy to remove the lesions. Since then, I have had two children and entirely normal smears every time (and I always get them regularly).

I always go for my smear tests as soon as I am called for them. I had them yearly for 10 years following cell changes & am now having them every 3 years. I am quite paranoid to be going 3 years after so many annual ones, so no worries about me avoiding my smears. Was just a little concerned the virus would always be in me & putting me at greater risk.

I am sure I heard on a radio programme that there are many HPV viruses and the one/s that give you visible warts are not the same one/s that up your risk of having cevical cancer. Of course this was months ago and I have no medical background, so dont quote me, but it might be worth having a good look round on the internet as it may make you less worried. It was a programme discussing the vaccine on radio 4 incidently, maybe there is somethingon the website? I suppose if you have been treated for the visible kind you the logic might be you are in a high risk bracket for all HPV viruses. Other people with non visible kinds would never know.

hallo
Can I suggest you have a look round the NHSCSP website which has got some useful info about HPV infection. www.cancerscreening.nhs.uk/cervical

The immune system is pretty good at tackling viruses and if you've had negative follow-up samples since then it may have gone. As a later post rightly said people can be reinfected so it's important to go for your regular screening.

If you search for the Artistic trial that they're doing in Manchester, there's loads of interesting info about HPV infections in different age groups, duration and persistent infection etc
Hth