Positive HPV test and abnormal smear

[bookworm1982]

Hiya, posting on behalf of my sister who's losing her mind with worry. When she was 22 she had an abnormal smear and had a small part of her cervix removed - she didn't have cancer - they just removed a load of sells that might turn into it over time. Anyway since then she's had yearly smears throughout her twenties which have been fine, so in her thirties they put her back to every three years. She's just had one done now, at age 42, and it's come back saying she has 'borderline' cell changes and needs a colposcopy, it also showed that she tested positive for HPV. She's now convinced she's got cervical cancer and I'm a little concerned too, from what I've read. Anyone had both of these but been ok? FYI her last smear (at 39) was normal. Thanks so much Xxx

I've had this a couple of times.
The hpv strain I have is high risk and I also had mild cell changes.
By the time I was at the colposcopy appointment the Dr said the cells were fine, so my body had fought off the virus in the time since smear.

I also went to yearly smears but have never had any treatment further than the colposcopy. They've moved me back to 3 yearly now, which I don't like because I still have high risk hpv!

Hope you sister is okay though.
I was a mess when I first had cell changes, but felt comfortable monitoring them yearly.

Many thanks for your reply. How do you know if you have the high strain HPV? Her letter didn't say xx

@bookworm1982 someone might correct me but I think they only put it on the letter if it's high risk
I've also had cells removed 10 yrs ago . Been fine since . Tested neg 3 years ago but positive this year . She doesn't have cancer, she might not even need treatment but as long as she attends all the follow ups she'll be fine

I currently have this and have been under management at hospital for 2 years now with 6 monthly colposcopys! I wish they would just do laser treatment and have it over with as it's traumatic every time I go (I'm very squeamish and hate anything to do with there after a bad birth)

I have stage 2 CIN with positive hpv, your body can clear its self of hpv but apparently it can take some time, things like stress, diet, contraceptives all play a part.

CIN is categorised in 3 stages low (stage 1) moderate (stage 2) high (stage 3) the highest stage is still not cancer so this is really important to remember, it can also take years and years for it to turn to cancerous cells but of course it needs to be managed/removed as precaution.

Jo's trust is a fantastic resource and their forum is brilliant, I was worried sick when I first found out and it really eased my mind seeing the 100s of women in the same position xx

Thanks ladies. This is very reassuring xxx