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.

@OurMiracle1106

I'm 28. Previously been treated twice for cin2 changes, my last appointment at colposcopy revealed some more abnormal cells but they've decided to leave them be and check in 6 months. If these cells keep coming back is there any other treatments available?

Hi there,

Sorry to hear that you're worried. It might be best if you direct your question to our 'ask the expert' service, at jostrust.org.uk/support, and one of our experts can provide more options. I hope that helps.

@GurlwiththeCurl

I am now 60 and have not had a smear for about 10 years, however, I have not had sex for over 12 years. Do I need to have a smear if I am not sexually active at all?

I also finished my periods about 12 years ago.

Hi
The screening guidelines indicate screening up to the age of 65. It is still possible to have abnormal cells even if you have not been sexually active.

I think it is worth considering another smear. Speak to your Dr about it as smears can be uncomfortable after the menopause & the GP can prescribe oestrogen cream to make it more comfortable for you

@seventhgonickname

My daughter is having her 2nd injection against HVP.How long does this cover her for?Then what, as I understand that the injections are not so effective for adults but no one can tell me why.

Hi there,

At the moment, we don't think your daughter will need a booster vaccination. The efficacy of the vaccine is so good that it provides long-term protection against high-risk HPV.

Like all vaccines, they work best when you vaccinate someone who has not previously been exposed to the virus. In this case, if you were to have the vaccine as an adult, it could still be beneficial, because you may not have come into contact with one of the HPV types that the vaccine protects against.

Hi
Can I just point out that cervical cancer is not hereditary so not having a family history of cervical cancer does not have an effect on your risk. I thought you might find it helpful to know that.

Screening is a personal choice but it is important to be fully appraised of the facts

@Araminta99

I'm interested in pencilsinspace question.

Also agree with tipsyscat as I would like to opt out of the letters and reminders.

I have no history of cancer in my family and am aware that cervical cancer can only develop after catching hpv from sexual contact. Myself and my husband have only been with each other so there is no reason for me to have a smear test. I have to ask why would someone like me or virgins be asked to have smear tests? I believe it is completely unnecessary. Thank you.

@Tallblue

How long should I wait after giving birth before getting a smear test? I've read there are higher incidences of false positives if it's done too soon and I want to avoid unnecessary worry.

Hi there,

The NHS recommends waiting three months after giving birth before having a test.

@Goldensunnydays81

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

That's really lovely to hear -- I'm so glad we could support you.

@Scuttlebutter

I had cervical cancer 13 years ago, requiring a radical hysterectomy. I'd just like to record my thanks to Jo's Trust who provided a great deal of online support and information while I was going through it, including the excellent website forum.

Thanks for letting us know - I'll share that with the team at Jo's Trust.

@Tallblue

How long should I wait after giving birth before getting a smear test? I've read there are higher incidences of false positives if it's done too soon and I want to avoid unnecessary worry.

Hi
Ideally you should wait 8 to 12 weeks after giving birth before having a smear. This allows all the pregnancy changes to settle down.

It may be worth booking the smear now so you have a date to plan towards

If I'm certain I'm HPV negative (since my only partner has been my husband and he's only slept with me), what's your logic for recommending engaging with the smear programme?

Thanks everyone for your questions. If you need further information, go to our website at jostrust.org.uk.

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MNHQ

Hmm okay I know the webchat is finished and I think it was a REALLY good idea for a webchat topic, but.......

I'm pretty disappointed that the two experts could not answer my very basic and non-confrontational questioning about Margaret McCartney's challenges to the current smear test programme.

They just basically said 'Why would you take the risk?' without engaging with McCartney's research at all, which I presume they are familiar with as experts.

Since many other people on the thread wanted the answer to that question too, what a shame they chose to duck it! Almost like they didn't have an answer..........

Adeola

Thankyou for answering my question, I will definitely follow your advice

Will read through all of the others later as I am sure I will get something from the rest of your advice too

Totally agree with you. They even suggested virgins and women with only ever one partner and using condoms are tested. When the risks are tiny. I am pondering this and the best thing to do about it. They were hardly empowering women to make their own informed choices which is needed to fully consent to an intimate examination. It is a rare cancer which is hyped extensively the media. It's appalling a Consultant cannot give unbiased information to women. The questions about the risks of psychological harm and women deregistering and avoiding GPs due to the screening programmes were also ignored. They should have addressed this and taken the concerns back to Public Health England. The issues are regularly discussed on Mumsnet whenever smear tests and screening are discussed. It is a big problem and it is shocking an eminent UCLH Consultant is seemingly unconcerned about it.

Bit disappointed they didn't answer my question (unless I missed it). I'm a virgin and was told it wasn't possible to get cervical cancer yet was then told a couple of years later I had to be screened in case I did have it ? I've no idea who's correct and if virgins can develop it why are they not told so? Nurses at my surgery said it was pointless me having one but gynaecology said I had to.

Tiny, tiny chance identityhidden. We must have better information for women so they can make an informed decision over whether to consent to an intimate examination. Take a look at the Forwomenseyesonly web site. The distress caused to some women due to screening is frightening.

JohnnyMcGarth I have Private Messaged you.

identity virgin or not, you should still have smear tests when called for

On what basis feelingsmurfy?

identity were gynaecology wanting a smear to rule out something rather than you to attend the routine screening programme appointment?

Feelingsmurfy intimate examinations should only do done with fully informed consent sadly this is lacking in the screening programmes.

Purple yes, I was admitted with pelvic pain and they said I might have had cervical cancer. I was sexually assaulted as a young girl, assaulted by a doctor at 19 and then had major surgery to my vulva at 21 that I stupidly decided to stay 'awake' during. I don't cope with that part of my body well and prefer to pretend it isn't there. I declined a smear because my GP said I couldn't get cervical cancer as a virgin and I knew I wouldn't cope, she agreed and said she didn't want to put me through it.

The hospital insisted I had to have one because I might have had cancer or precancerous changes so I went to the GP who said maybe it was for the best to do it , and it took several attempts, she was very good - each attempt she had me sit back up , breathe and then we tried again. But I don't know if the hospital were right to scare me. And then the nurse at my surgery implied I had caused problems, wasting valuable GP time etc. So I just want to know what I should have done really I think. It's so difficult.

When I asked for support once before I was told I could have psychosexual therapy that would involve sitting in a gynaecology room with the aim of me eventually having a smear. I think that was wrong and unfair and I declined their help , I just wanted to talk and not be coerced into an examination.

So sorry that all that happened to you identity. Given your symptoms, it was right for you to have a smear. What you had was a diagnostic test. It's very rare for people without HPV to get cervical cancer but given your pain it was definitely important to look. If you'd been totally fit and well I'd agree with the nurse that the smear wasn't necessary.

I hope you're feeling better now.

It's a shame the web chat didn't address the Dr McCartney issue. All that came across to me is that yes, women have a choice but we (the Dr and Jo'sTrust) only support your choice if you decide to have a smear.

It's a shame the web chat didn't address the Dr McCartney issue. All that came across to me is that yes, women have a choice but we (the Dr and Jo'sTrust) only support your choice if you decide to have a smear.

They do not want to push forward proper information and the means to withdraw. I know how to withdraw - you have to write to the GP telling them that you are fully aware of what you are doing (wording available on the .gov site www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/436770/cs4.pdf ) and the GP should then withdraw you. But the GPs don't necessarily know how and it leaves you open to 'encouragement' (ie coercion). Even the breast screening programme is more open about it.

HPV in necessary to get the kind of cervical cancer that they are looking for. When we go to HPV primary screening (which was ok'd last year and other countries have already done this- we are slow here), they will not test the smear sample if you are not HPV positive.