HPV Positive and Borderline Abnormal Cell Changes

Hi,

I'm 25 and have just has my first smear test with the results come back as being HPV positive with borderline abnormal changes. I've been referred to the hospital for a Colposcopy and I can't help but be worried about what they might find. 

How common is this? I can't stop overthinking and just in time for Xmas as well.

  • Welcome to the forum Sarah although I'm sorry to read what's playing on your mind.

    Many of our members have had similar results so you're not alone and hopefully some of them will share their experiences and advice with you soon.

    In the meantime I hope this information we have about screening results will help to ease your worries but if you'd like to speak to someone about this then do give our cancer nurses a call on 0808 800 4040. They're available Monday - Friday between 9a.m - 5p.m.

    Kind regards,

    Steph, Cancer Chat Moderator

  • Hi Sarah

    These results are very very common, and having the hpv virus is also very, very common. The colposcopy will look at the area of abnormal cells and then the decision will be made on whether to treat them or monitor. Young women can often clear the hpv virus(although it will always be in your system, it only causes cell changes when the virus is active). Borderline changes is the lowest category of cell changes, so you may not need treatment, but if you do need any treatment it’s a straightforward procedure.

    Please try not to worry, and I hope everything goes well for you. xx

  • Thank you so much, that really does help make me feel a lot better. It just concerns me that perhaps they're more serious cells and how I've had the HPV vaccine and still am HPV positive?? Makes me wonder if it could be a more serious cancer causing kind.

     

  • Hi Sarah

    There are over a hundred strains of hpv and only a small number cause abnormal cell changes-they are the “high risk strains”. Most people will carry the virus, clear it and never have a strain that can lead to cancer. Many women have abnormal cells but will never develop cancer...the virus will clear, or if you have abnormal cells which don’t regress,they can be removed. The vaccine doesn’t protect against all strains of the virus, unfortunately. xx

  • Hi 

     I'm.on the same situation just receive my result today to I being send for a coloscopy 

    Do you have any update on your situation ?

  • Hello, 

     

    I hope this goes well for you, my results came back clear and I just have yearly smears going forward until they are certain I am okay. My fingers are crossed for you and hear if you need a chat. 
     

    x

  • I'm so glad to read your clear, I was just wondering g of u had any insight for me.i had an exam today and the doctor said she would see hormonal changes and I was raw. Did your doctor tell you anything like this?

  • No, however my examination came back as unsuccessful as the opening is very narrow. 
    So I still had a biopsy as she was unable to see clearly. 
     

    I hope this helps you! 

  • Hi, today I received my letter to say I had HPV and abnormal cells and will need a colposcopy. I also had these results when I first ever had a smear (now 26 years old). I'm really upset about the result and feel so silly. But not a single woman I know personally has had a HPV diagnosis. It makes me feel really ashamed. I've not been in a sexual relationship for over a year and I'm so shocked by the result. There's not a lot online and as I have health anxiety I'm too scared to read as it's all really triggering. Does anyone know if it can lay dormant and flare up? Why can't my body get rid of this? So scared about the end result. But least thanks to you posting this I know I'm not alone and other women go through the same. My last results came back low risk and I'm staying hopeful this one will too. Just something about "hpv" makes me so upset. I also had the injections at school. Xx

  • i had my smear back today.

    borderline cell changes and hpv.

    all of my smears before have been fine.

    im so terrifed