Hi Rich, 

Good question. Considering your results are low grade I imagine even if you were infected with HPV at 16, it has probably sat doing nothing until now. It can sit in your cells doing nothing for as long as 30 years in some cases. When HPV is active it naughtily changes the cells, not into cancer but into the types of cells that might cause cancer some years later. There is more info about cell changes here: 

www.jostrust.org.uk/.../cin-and-cgin

Like you, my results showed HPV and low grade abnormalities and it has now been determined that the low grade changes are just the result of the HPV being active and that nothing further needs doing other than regular cervical screening to keep an eye on any future changes. If it makes you feel any better, I have had HPV show up on my last 2 screenings since 2018 and I do not have cancer. However, every case is different so make sure you go to your appointments, follow any medical advice you are given and ask lots of questions to make sure you fully understand what is happening with your body.

Positive thoughts. 

X

Hey Aimeelou
Thanks so much for your reply! :) 

I saw somewhere that even if your smear says borderline or low grade that when going to your colopscopy it can actually come up as CIN 2 or 3? Is that true? 
thanks for clearing that up, it's good yours wasn't serious, my appointment isn't for another 4 weeks so I'm just getting worried, 

many thanks 

Rich 

Hi Rich, 

No problem, happy to help. At your appointment the Dr or Nurse will be able to have a much closer look at your cervix to determine if there are any abnormal cells that might need treatment. At this point you will be offered treatment to either remove and or biopsy any abnormal cells. Don’t forget, they may do this as precautionary also. I was told at the last appointment that my cervix looked lovely and healthy and that no abnormal cells could be seen, even though smear detected low grade cells so I was given biopsies as a precaution. From this you will be able to get a better idea of what kind of cell changes are happening in your cervix (cin 1, 2. 3 etc.). I know it’s hard but try not to worry, if they suspected you might have cancer they would have put you on a two week pathway and you would have been seen almost immediately. Of course there will be individual cases where things have been missed or people have had low grade smear results and then discover they need further treatment but just focus on your journey. The good thing is that abnormal cells do not mean cancer and once removed, can’t eventually turn into cancer. It’s a scary process with very little emotional support for us ladies but like I said to Tereska, your outcome can only be positive...if no abnormal cells are seen at your appointment then you will be sent home without treatment and if abnormal cells are seen then they will offer you treatment options which will prevent anything sinister developing later on. 

Best wishes 

x

Hi just thought I would ask. 
I had my first smear and had HPV positive and no cell changes so had to re test in 12 months.

I had my second check and it came back with slight changes, I stressed so much about it and had to go for a colposcopy.

That went fine and he said it's ok and didn't do a biopsy and said see you in three years.

I was so scared when all this was going on and now I'm worried about what happens if I go back and they say I need treatment. 
I'm worried as I will be trying for our first baby next year and don't want anything to go wrong and if I need treatment. 
I thought if HPV was still present I had to have a check up 12 months rather than 3 years. 
I don't know if I'm worrying over nothing ️But the whole thing did panic me so much!! 

Hi thank you so much for replying was nervous to put something on here !! 
congratulations and hope everything is ok with you x  

I feel bad for asking on here as I had the appointment at the hospital and he said it's fine see you in three years ! So why am I worrying ?? It scared me so much when I had the results and had the letter to go in I tried to forget about it and think I'm in the best hands! But social media and google is not good ️ I just didn't want to think everything was ok and then when we start to try be worrying about it ! 
thank you for replying to me though it's really helpful ️

Hello, 

I am looking for some reassurance. I had my second smear test last week. My first one 3 years ago was positive but this one says I have been tested positive for HPV with abnormal cells. I have (wrongly) googled this and I'm so so scared. I've panicked myself so much I'm getting stomach pains and dont want to eat. 
 

I'm worried to tell anyone the word "positive for HPV". I'm a single mom with a 4 year old. 
 

I know I have to wait for my colposcopy but I can't help but google it. 
 

any advice ? I'm scared. 

Hi, 

I had the same as you! I was so worried and google it all day and all night. 
HPV usually goes away on its own without any treatment. I had my colposcopy which was fine it was like another smear test and they took a biopsy. I then got a letter saying I have to go back after a year for a check up as it came back as CIN 1. I fell pregnant in November so I haven't been for my checkup and have to wait till 3 months after the baby is here. I had a lot of support from family and friends and also this page.

please please don't worry and just think at least you went for the smear and they caught it straight away. If you didn't go it would be 100% more worrying. I promise you you're in the right place of mind and the doctors and nurses will support you and answer all your questions. I had 101 question I wanted answering. 
just don't worry as it will make it double and just take each step as it comes! 
Im alway here if you need a chat or anything. 
take care

Emma