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BobSki45
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Hi,

I understand that cervical screening is detect hpv and cancer.

However, as men can also contact hpv which can lead to penile cancer and also as well, hpv can lead to throat cancer, then why is there only a national screening service for women, why not men? Something doesn't sound right here!

With cervical screening or smear tests, why is there no routine blood test? In all of todays modern technology and advances, I find it hard to believe that a simple blood test isn't available!

The smear test is a medieval procedure and one of the most intimate medical examinations that no woman wants to have.

What I don't understand is, out of all the smear tests done every year on all the millions of women in the uk, only 1% of women are recalled, so how can the smear test still be a viable option?

 

  • Hi Bobski45 and thanks for posting.

    The roll out of screening programmes is decided by a national screening committee.  They look at criteria to make sure the screening is effective and necessary. You can read more about this here.

    You can read more about cervical screening and how it works here.  Cervical screening looks at the health of the cervix, rather than checking for cancer, which a blood test would not do.  There is currently no blood test which checks for HPV.

    Hope this is helpful.

    Take care,

    Rachel

  • Offline

    Yes  I understand that but what I'm saying is, the smear test detects hpv as well  as abnormal cells.

    If hpv can lead to cervical cancer, then why is there not a national screening programme for men, whom can also develop hpv?

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