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Panicking and confused - I have been HPV positive twice, one with cell changes, one without. What are the odds this will develop in to cervical cancer?

ConfusedH
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Hi there, I would love to have some advice and information on my situation.

A little previous history: Me and my partner have been together since we were 13, and therefore, we have only ever been with each other sexually and noone else. The hpv vaccine was first available when I was at high school and fear stopped me from getting it. I didn't really think about it as I grew older because of my long term relationship. 

So to my disbelief, when I was invited to my first smear, I came back hpv positive with no cell change and was invited back a year later to which I received a hpv negative. At the start of this year, I was invited back to my next smear and came back hpv positive with cell change and asked to go to a colposcopy. They took a biopsy and were happy that the cell change didn't pose a risk and I'm back to the normal smear routine. I can't help but feel that they might have missed something? Should I wait until my next smear or try ask for one sooner? What are the odds that I will develop cervical cancer? I feel like none of the professionals that I have come across really understand my confusion and fear.

I also feel that when I ask how it's possible that I even have this type of hpv, I'm treated as though I'm lying or they don't fully understand me. I just don't understand how I've contracted it? Is there other ways of contracting this type of hpv?

I'm just confused and scared if I'm honest. Thank you in advance for any help. 

  • Hi there, and thank you for posting

    It’s completely understandable that you’re feeling confused and scared and that you have some questions about your situation.

    Firstly, it’s important to know that HPV is incredibly common; most people who are sexually active will get it at some point. You don’t need to have had multiple partners to get it.

    It is good news that your biopsy didn’t show anything worrying and that you’ve been returned to routine screening. The NHS follows a very careful pathway for cervical screening, and if there had been any signs of serious concern, they would follow you up more closely.

    Even in long-term relationships, HPV can be present without either person knowing, and it can stay dormant in the body for years before showing up on a test.

    Although your immune system usually gets rid of HPV within a couple of years, it can sometimes stay in your body without causing any problems. This is called dormant HPV. Sometimes dormant HPV can become active again, which means it can be detected with a test and may start causing cervical cell changes. We don’t know why HPV becomes active again; we only know that smoking makes it harder for HPV to leave the system. That’s why regular screening is so important to pick up any cell changes in the cervix early, before they become serious.

    Most people with HPV never develop cancer. However, it is important to keep having cervical screening to prevent cancer. The risk of developing cervical cancer after HPV and mild cell changes are low, especially when you’re being regularly screened.

    The doctors are unable to do smears outside of the screening programme regime as the laboratories that review them will turn them away, so it is best to stick to the timeframes suggested by your team.

    If you’re still feeling concerned, it may be helpful to speak to your GP or practice nurse as they will know your situation. I hope this helps in some way.

    Please get back to us if you have further questions. If you would like to speak to one of our nurses on the helpline, you can call us between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday freephone 0808 800 4040.

    Jemma

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