Response from GP regarding home HPV testing

[Orangesandlemons82]

For various reasons I do not want a smear test, but am happy to buy a home HPV test and see if the virus is present first and then having a smear test if it is detected. I asked my GP via e-consult about this and don't think that the information they gave is accurate. How would a vaginal swab mean you can't have a smear test for 12 weeks?
Below is their response:

If you wish to do a home HPV test and the result returns as positive for HPV, you would then be required to wait another 12 weeks before having a Smear test to confirm if you are HPV positive. This is because you must be 12 weeks trauma free before having a Smear test. This would mean your referral for treatment of HPV would be delayed by 12 weeks.

Also, if you do the home HPV test, you would still be noted on the NHS record as requiring a Smear test and you will continue to receive letters asking you to attend.

Surely this isn't right?

This does seem odd. In my country they only give you a smear test if you test positive for HPV. So I recently did the self-test and tested negative so that's me done for 5 years.

what do they mean ‘trauma free’?

Sounds like nonsense to me.

That's what I don't get. What trauma is there from a vaginal swab?!

I thought that this approach was becoming more common, which Is why I am so confused by the response. I'm sure the GP information is inaccurate.

Surely there would be more trauma from sex than a vaginal swab and they don't tell you not to have sex for twelve weeks before a smear?

I'm so curious about this. I'm about to have a smear test under sedation because the pain of the procedure is too much. I ideally would not have the procedure so I mentioned the hpv test, which I'd already taken and was negative, and asked if they thought it was acceptable instead but they thought i should still have the smear test under sedation. I did once have hpv. I don't know if that makes a difference, but I will ask at my appointment.

A smear test disturbs the cells on your cervix so you'd have to wait 12 weeks after having a smear if it needed repeating, I think that GP text is confusing a low vaginal HPV swab with a smear test taken from cervix

Can I also add that whilst having a smear test the nurse will see your cervix so can pick up on any changes etc which a home HPV swab does not

This is what I think too

That’s ridiculous. I’ve done a home swab, and inserting a tampon is way more intrusive than that

How can a home HPV test be more trauma than a smear test.

My GP doesn't even know that the cells don't get looked at unless you have HPV. I know this to be true as have it in writing from the hospital.

I've just had a smear test - it was very painful, took several attempts, had to stop a couple of times because the pain was too much. I'd avoided it for ages, but eventually thought it might be best just to get it out of the way, it might be ok this time. It wasn't.

Anyway I just got the results letter - it said that the sample tested negative for HPV, so there was no need to look at the cells (even if I'd had previous abnormal smears or treatment).

It made me wonder why then they insisted on doing a smear - surely just an HPV test was what they needed?

Just a follow up from this - practice nurse phoned me (whilst I was in Costa!) and was adamant that the advice is correct, despite the fact that it is a vaginal swab taken for the HPV test. I can't believe the incorrect Information that is being given. I couldn't really discuss the point further as I'm surrounded by people and didn't know they would call.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong but don't surgeries get penalised for low uptake of smear tests?

So they are going to object to people testing themselves ?

I mean in theory , you can do the home test and if it's positive you don't need to tell them when you go for the smear test and they'll never be any the wiser

I've had an 'inconclusive' smear at the GP's and needed retesting. It was rescheduled within a couple of weeks and I definitely didn't wait 12 weeks between the tests.
I'm finding that my surgery is recommending private physio more and more, but they don't accept results or diagnosis from anyone else but themselves. Frustrating!

They don't treat HPV either so not sure what the 'delaying HPV treatment' means

Just wanting to ask if anyone knows a reliable company for doing an HPV test. Google brings up two or three places that I have never heard of. Superdrug seems to sell the home testing kit as well but how do you know which labs they use and how reliable they are? Also does anyone know if you can get an hpv test privately? Instead of a smear test. I used to handle the smear tests when a Doctor did it (there used to be a womens clinic where you could have a doctor do it) but since it's been GP only (and a nurse doing it) it's been horrendous. Got bits trapped in the speculum and felt it nearly circumcised me! Then there weren't enough cells so had to have a repeat. No disrespect to nurses - I think it's just experience maybe or I was unlucky on that occasion. I'm now post menopausal and no way am I having the speculum again unless an hpv is positive. So an hpv test sounds the way forward to me but just want to find a reliable place to get it done.

I've ordered a kit from this place after checking some reviews and they seem to have actual clinics in the Uk as well. Not the cheapest.

https://www.check4cancer.com/private-cancer-tests/cervical-cancer

Me too actually. It was smears about three weeks apart so I feel the 12 weeks sounds a bit off tbh.

What nonsense! I’d be worried my GP was so ignorant. The Superdrug HPV test is more comprehensive than the NHS and less invasive than inserting a tampon. Plus nobody treats HPV!