It's Cervical Cancer Prevention Week. Put your questions to the experts from Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust, Friday 27 Jan, 1-2pm

[RachelMumsnet]

To mark Cervical Cancer Prevention Week, we’re running a webchat on Friday (27 Jan) lunchtime, between 1 and 2pm with Adeola Olaitan and Claire Cohen from Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust. Please join us then, or post your questions in advance on this thread.

Every year in the UK, around 3,000 women will be diagnosed with cervical cancer. It is is the most common cancer in women aged 35 and under. Adeola Olaitan, Consultant Gynaecological Oncologist at the University College London Hospital, and Claire Cohen, Head of Information and Education at Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust will be on-hand on Friday to answer your questions, whether you're unsure what the symptoms are, have questions about cervical screening (smear tests), are worried about your chances of contracting cervical cancer, or you've been diagnosed and want to know more about treatment and support.

Join Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust this week for their #SmearforSmear campaign to raise awareness across social media this week. Find out how you can join in.

Hello - I would like to ask about the HPV vaccine. How does it work and how much difference will it make? Will girls who have the vaccine still need smear tests?

Do you think the NHS screening levels are sufficient? As a 45 year old woman I have one every three years - but I often wonder whether it should be done more regularly. What are the recommendations in other countries?

How would you respond to the well-publicised criticisms of people like Margaret McCartney, a GP who does not herself get smear tests? Do you think her interpretation of the data is wrong? I have never actually seen a proper medic challenge her findings and would be interested to see what they'd say!

Hello. I had a smear test in the middle of December last year. On the 5th of January I had a text from my GP's surgery saying that my results were back and that I needed to make an appointment for a telephone consultation with the doctor. I did this and spoke to the doctor on the 18th. He said my results had shown 'borderline changes,which were probably nothing to worry about'. He also said that I just needed to go for a routine smear test in 5 years. I am not questioning the doctor's wisdom,but 5 year seems a long time! Is this the normal recommendation? I am 53,and all my previous smear tests have been normal. I was not sexually active between mid 1997 and mid 2012. Since then I have been. Would this have made any difference?

I had breast cancer two years ago (aged 33). No family history of cancer and I do not have the BRCA genes.

Will I be at higher risk of ovarian cancer than the general population?

Sorry, I meant cervical cancer.

Why do different parts of the country have different criteria as to what stage you get referred for further treatment? I can only talk from experience but one London brough trust after having an abnormal smear results wait 6 months for a follow up and then sent to hospital where another part of the country referrs straight away.

I'm interested in an answer to JohnnyMcGrath's question.

In 2014 there was a lot of publicity over a urine test alternative to the smear test but this had never been mentioned in mainstream media again . A lot of women find the process very intrusive and uncomfortable and although we are told and know that it's better to have the test surely in 2017 there should be some alternative to this test given how traumatic many women do find it especially those who have had vaginal trauma of any kind . It's also said that cervical cancer cannot develop if you have regular smears yet I know someone who always attended for hers and in between getting a normal result three years later she had stage 2 cancer . What causes this ?

In 2014 there was a lot of publicity over a urine test alternative to the smear test but this had never been mentioned in mainstream media again . A lot of women find the process very intrusive and uncomfortable and although we are told and know that it's better to have the test surely in 2017 there should be some alternative to this test given how traumatic many women do find it especially those who have had vaginal trauma of any kind . It's also said that cervical cancer cannot develop if you have regular smears yet I know someone who always attended for hers and in between getting a normal result three years later she had stage 2 cancer . What causes this ?

In my area of the country, at my last smear test, I was told they were testing for HPV also, as part of a trial. I got a letter saying my smear test is normal, and I don't have HPV, and because of this, I won't be called up for any more smear tests. Surely this can't be right? I could catch HPV any time, or they could have tested for only one/some variant/variants, or I could be one of the rare people who get cervical cancer without HPV?

I have fibromyalgia and that makes smear tests really painful, during and for a few days after, and it also seems to be common to bleed quite a lot for a few days afterwards if you have fibro (from discussing it in groups, not everyone did but high percentage)

Any tips on what we, or the person doing the smear test, can try to lessen the bleeding or pain

I'm due my third one later this year, I would never let the pain and bleeding put me off because I know how important it is, but any tips would be gratefully received

Hi. I have 13 year yr old daughter who was due hpv vaccine this year. After research I declined as protection period didn't validate level of potential side effects. Did anyone else refuse this vaccine. Want to do best thing but very confused x

I am interesting in JohnnyMcGarths questions about Dr Margaret McCartney who is a GP who does not have smear tests.

I am also interested in the answer to JohnnyMcGrath question.

Attendance figures for screening are on the decline. Embarrassment, pain or not understanding the purpose of the test are often used as reasons. As screening is a personal choice, perhaps the reason for the decline is that women have made a informed choice not to screen.

No question just wanted to say how great jo's trust were I was diagnosed last year with cervical cancer and I phoned Jo's trust quite a few times during the diagnosis and recovery period and their advice was always great followed up with call backs a few weeks later to see how I was doing. So thank you x

Sexual health & family planning cuts have reduced access to smear tests
I don't want to see my GP for one but my local FP clinic has closed

Hello, in October this year I was rushed to hospital with severe pelvic pain. Having never had a smear test (due to post traumatic issues after surgery at a young age) I was told I needed one urgently to rule out cervical changes being the cause . I had one a fortnight later, thankfully clear - took a lot of support from my GP who did the test herself and 5 attempts but we got there in the end.

When a nurse at my surgery saw me a couple of weeks later she was incredulous that I could not have just seen them like anyone else , I had wasted GP's time who should not have been involved etc. I felt awful but needed GP instead, I know her and she knows my medical/personal history and wouldn't see it as a 5 minute job if that makes sense.

They also said as a virgin (due again to same reasons) that I can't get cervical cancer.

I'm assuming that the Gynae department in hospital were right to have me get a smear urgently, presumably there is some chance if you're a virgin? Wondering as well if some nurses - probably only a tiny minority- need educating about why a smear test isn't always easy to have, and how best that their attitudes could be changed? Perhaps she's just in the wrong profession!

I was referred for a colposcopy after an abnormal smear and had the Lletz procedure.

I was Sexually abused, I explained this to the nurse, at the appointment, after traumatic cervical sweeps during childbirth. They didn't tell me of the adrenaline rush after the local anesthetic, I thought I was having a flashback and I has a full blown panic attack during the procedure. With little or no empathy from staff I was sent home. I had to stagger to a few nearby friends to calm down as I was unable to return home to my son in that state.

I am now left in a position where I have never been back to check for regrowth, or a smear, 5years on I know I need to go and it could be dangerous, but I can't mentally face it.

What options are there for someone in my position please?

How accurate is the HPV test that some areas do as part of the cervical smear test?
I've received a letter telling me my smear test showed abnormal changes but that as my HPV test was clear I should just return for another smear in 3 years as normal. This has worried me somewhat and now I'm thinking of paying for a private smear in a few months. Would this be helpful?

I had a smear test 2.5 years ago which showed I had no abnormal cells and no HPV. Do I need another test in 6 months or can I wait another 2.5 years? Given the evidence that women with no abnormal cells + no HPV are at a very low risk of cervical cancer.

Hello, hope you can help me get some answers.

My whole adult life I was having annual smear tests which were all normal. Then in April 2013 it came back as ASCUS. I was 35 yo at the time and had a baby 1.5 year earlier (quick labour, cervix ruptured). Six months later I did a punch biopsy which came back as LSIL. I was told it was no big deal and to do a follow up smear test in six months, which I did and it came back as AGUS. This, to be honest, scared me immensely. Six weeks later they did another biopsy which showed HSIL. I had several colposcopies and they all showed a lesion. I also had HPV test for a number of high and low risk strains done. It came back negative for all of them. The following month (May 2014) I had cold knife conisation and histopathology test came back as all clear, no changes in cells were found whatsoever.

All of smear tests after the conisation came back normal, hopefully this is going to be the case with the next one which is due in February!

After the cone biopsy results came back as all clear I was relieved beyond belief, but at the same time I was wondering what was actually happening there. Every single test or procedure I had came back as a different thing, it was like an alphabet soup. I still think about it, I don't know what to make of it. It keeps me from moving on from this horrible episode in my life.

According to the data published by the NHS, an estimated 5,000 cases of cervical cancer are prevented each year for the 5,000,000 women who participate in the cervical screening programme.

So by my maths, this means that 99.9% do not benefit from attending cervical screening.

Do you think this information should be more widely publicised so that women can make their own informed decisions?

I was about to post a question but it turns out that it's been asked by Whatapigs ear already. My smear also showed abnormal cells but no hpv but it has left me wondering what would cause the abnormal cells in that case? And whether it is related to my issues with overly frequent periods ?

Another sexual assault survivor.

I literally can't attend a smear (have tried; am addressing this in therapy). I've seen ads for the private HPV test which claims that HPV causes 99.7% of cervical cancer. Do you think it's worthwhile for patients to have a non-invasive HPV test to inform their smear decision, or is the science/evidence not in favour?

As an aside, I feel belittled and dismissed by campaigns which say anything along the lines of "it's a bit uncomfortable and embarrassing but it only takes a minute and could save your life" because if it were only a matter of discomfort and embarrassment I'd have gone.