Hello there

I appreciate how receiving abnormal screening results can be a worry and to have questions and I will try to answer them for you.

The cervical screening programme is all about the prevention of cancer, by picking up any abnormality at an early stage where it can either be monitored or treated until everything in the cervix returns to normal.

HPV is an extremely common infection with most adults coming in contact with it at some point in their life. The high risk strains are passed through intimate skin to skin contact around the genitalia which is why it is classed as a sexually transmitted infection, even though intercourse doesn't necessarily need to be involved.

In the majority of healthy people HPV will clear from the body within a couple of years of coming into contact with it and not cause any issues at all. Many people will never even know they have had it and it fine to continue to have sex as normal and conceive with HPV.

Some people choose to tell their partners about HPV whereas others don't. Whilst using a condom can be helpful, because as I said it can be passed through any intimate contact with the genitalia it isn't 100%. At the moment the only testing for HPV is through the screening programme so men can't be tested and there is no treatment for it anyway.

The reason HPV is now part of cervical screening is because it is now known that most abnormal cells that occur in the cervix are caused by HPV. If HPV and any abnormal cells are left undetected and untreated they may eventually turn into cancer, but this often takes many, many years to happen.

Once HPV is detected they then check for abnormal cells. They will screen again a year later when no abnormal cells are found to check it has cleared but when abnormal cells are seen the person is seen in colposcopy for more tests, possible biopsy to confirm type of abnormal cells and guide treatment decisions. Individuals are then followed up as needed until everything is good and they can return to routine screening.

I hope this helps and that your appointment goes well. Please get back if you have more questions.

All the best

Naomi