Cervical smear results

[Ziggzagg]

I've had previous CIN 3 from smear tests, over 10 years ago now had treatment and been normal ever since!

I've recently had my smear and they have only tested to see if I have HPV and it was negative so they haven't tested my sample further.

Shouldn't they test the cells as I've previously had CIN 3? I'm worried that my abnormal results might not have been caused by HPV and that I could still develop abnormal cells that won't be spotted because they don't test unless you're HPV positive!

Where do you live zigzag?

Liverpool

Hi Zig, the reason I asked was because in some areas they now test for HPV only instead of changes to the cells. They are expecting over the coming years for this to take over across the UK and to become the norm. Like you though for some reason I'm not that comfortable with this because as a woman we don't want to know if we've got HPV, primarily we want to know what's happening to our cells.

HPV causes at least 99% of cervical cancers so it's near impossible to have changes which aren't being caused by HPV, so if you have tested negative for the virus that's great news and the chances of you having cell changes are extremely unlikely.

If you're like me however that 1% chance will play on your mind so I would go to your GP first and talk to her/him about your concerns. As you've had CINIII before I'd expect them to be sympathetic and to give you options, perhaps a test for cell abnormalities? If they reject this I'd ask them for a private referral letter (you don't need to use it but you may as well while you're there), then look into how much you can have a private smear done for - one which tests for abnormalities. It's probably a small price to pay for reassurance once every few years (as annoying it is that you have to do it ).

I hope this all helps, see how you feel though and what options feels best for you and putting your mind at ease.

Why they aren't testing for abnormalities I don't know, because in just testing for HPV surely there will be some women who will miss out on the benefits if they are in the rare few who get changes minus the virus.

Hope you get it sorted ok xx

Thank you @Coco54321 xx

Hi @Ziggzagg
When you had the sample taken, the person doing it is supposed to explain to you that you're in a primary HPV area and what this means. This means that they don't make a slide to look at the cells if your sample tests negative for high risk type HPV.
The result letter should also explain this.
They are very unlikely to offer an NHS cytology test, as primary HPV testing is being rolled out to the rest of the country by the end of 2019.
Although there are a small number of women who the primary HPV test may not pick up an abnormality, screening is done on the basis of looking at a whole eligible population, i.e. the 99% rather than the 1%.
If you are still concerned then getting feedback from your GP is sensible. It sounds like you completed your follow up for the CIN3 already?

I thought that I had read somewhere that the body is able to clear HPV in some people. Is it possible to have had HPV, be clear now but then develop abnormal cells or Ca?

I guess what I'm asking is does HPV have to be present all the time you have abnormal cells? Or could you test negative for HPV but have had it previously and now be developing abnormalities that won't be picked up if they only screen for current HPV infection?

I think it's generally accepted that the HPV infection remains present during the development of abnormalities. It is the presence of the virus that allows the body to have cells replicate unchecked There are a small number of cervical cancers that have tested HPV negative (by which I mean testing the cancer tissue). The HPV screening test tests for the most prevalent high risk HPV and there is some cross reactivity with the less prevalent types. Again this is on the basis of screening, not testing for all possible HPV infections.

Hi. I hope you don't mind me asking but what did treatment did you have? I've just had my first smear I'm (24) and it came back has high grade severe dyskaryosis. I've got a appointment next Monday and have no idea what to expect, I was looking to see if anyone had gone through something similar and came across your post.

Hi yes I had a loop excision where they remove a layer of cells from you cervix. If I remember right, the procedure took around an hour I had slight period like pains for a week and light bleeding then annual smears for 3 years! Please don't stress it's a simple process. Also speak with your doctors, I had millions of questions and they were lovely with me. Hope all goes well, good luck

Thank you so much for your reply. I've been driving myself crazy, I'm so scared! Was the procedure painful? I found my smear pretty painful but I tore bad when I had my little boy and stupidly didn't let them stitch me so I just put it down to that. I contacted my doctors but honestly he wasn't very helpful, he didn't answer anything I wanted to know. I've never had anyone in my family have to go through something like this so it's completely new to me. I contacted the hospital who's doing the procedure this morning but unfortunately the woman who's in charge of that department is away till next Monday. xx