Is this the norm for smear tests now?

[HalfTermHalfTerm]

I had my second cervical screening test just after Christmas. The odds of anything being amiss are very low as I had the HPV vaccine before I started having sex, but both times I’ve had the letter through I’ve booked an appointment straight away to be on the safe side.

I got the results letter through the post, telling me that I’ve tested negative for HPV, so they don’t need to look for abnormal cells on my cervix. I’m a bit confused by this as I thought looking for abnormal cells was the point of a smear test? I could have told them that I would test negative for HPV!

I believe that there are still a small percentage of cases of cervical cancer (about 3%?) that aren’t caused by HPV, so I was under the impression that they still looked for abnormal cells. Am I mistaken or have my local nhs trust just gone rogue?

[quote MarisPiper92]@Royalty2k yes, it was fine. Just make sure you read through instructions a couple of times and can be undisturbed for five minutes. Hardest part was making sure the swab got into the vial without touching anything else![/quote]
Thank you. I'm going to order the Superdrug one tonight. I'm worried I will do the test wrong lol

@Sway19

Covid times I’m afraid

Not Covid times, this was happening in our trust before covid.

I almost wonder what is the point of a smear in these cases for me is - I thought HPV was caused by sex? Of which I am having none.

@ThatDamnKrampus
It can stay dormant for decades
But if I was a virgin I wouldn't bother , not now they don't test the cells

@Comps83

I wasn't aware of that it could remain doormant. In that case then I will keep going. Thank you.

Smear 2017- negative
2016-2020 no sexual contact
2020- HPV+ cin1

[quote ThatDamnKrampus]@Comps83

I wasn't aware of that it could remain doormant. In that case then I will keep going. Thank you.[/quote]
I didn't realise this too

Also, not meaning to hijack but just to point out that the HPV vaccine is free on the NHS to anyone under 25. I was a couple of years too old to be offered it when they rolled it out in secondary school and it was not made clear at all that I could have received it prior to my 25th birthday. 6 years too late I found out that was the case.