Hi Debsie and welcome.

Yes, this is a new way of testing now, and I can understand your concerns. The vast majority of abnormal cells on the cervix are caused by the hpv virus, but it’s true to say that a tiny proportion of cervical cancer is not hpv driven. It is a very small percentage of the total cases of cervical cancer though. 

I guess that the assumption is that other symptoms would present themselves if someone had one of the rare forms of cervical cancer but I don’t know. 

While the test is an excellent screening test, it is not a diagnostic test...not all cancers are currently picked up even with the usual test we were used to having. For example I have adenocarcinoma, and this can go undetected in smear tests as it can be higher up in the cervical canal and not picked up when cells are taken. Nothing is 100% foolproof I guess! xx

Hi Debsie

I believe this is the new screening method. I was worried too as I had CIN3 (abnormal cells) detected by a smear last year. 

I had a colposcopy and LLETZ treatment to remove. I asked the consultant about HPV as it want mentioned in my results. She remarked that without the HPV virus she’d be out of a job. So by that I agree that most forms of cell changes in the cervix are caused by HPV.

Im not very happy either but I guess it is to save money. 

Nicola xx

Hello Nicola,

Thanks for taking the time to reply to me. It seems to me like we could be missing something important but I guess there were risks of undetected issues with the previous system too. I’m so pleased my daughters will soon be getting the HPV immunisation! 

Best wishes for a healthy future!

Debbie x