Possible NHS misdiagnosis saying clear for HPV when private home test says positive with variant 16 (the test and smear were 14 days apart)

[destiny234]

I have tested HPV positive for 2 smears a year apart, the last one was Oct 2023. So I went for my third on 18 Jan this year and have just been given the all clear and told it will repeated in 5 years (which I doubt as I will be 71 then).

HOWEVER, I had already done a home test with Medicines Online just 14 days before on the 3 jan, it said I had HPV and it was variant 16 which is one of the ones that can cause cancer. I had even given this HPV positive letter to the nhs nurse at he last smear at the docs on the 18th, and she said she would add it to my notes! So, instead of jumping the gun and requesting a smear again I have decided to order another home test from Medicines Online.

Has anybody else been in this situation? I am obviously hoping the home test was wrong. On the other hand if it turns out the NHS smear was wrong, they would have sent me away for 5 years with a possible cancer growing. Any views welcome, I live alone and have nobody to discuss this with. Thank you in advance x

[Positiveannie]

hi I also have had two smears, both hpv positive and I'm inow booking for third one,it all seems a bit vague and I intend asking more questions on next visit, how are you getting on?

[destiny234 in reply to Positiveannie]

Hi, I had 2 more home tests from Medicines online again and Superdrug, both were hpv positive. So all 3 private tests were done within 41 days of each other and the nhs neg smear was in the middle of them. I sent the info to my doc and asked for a repeat smear, he sent the info to a gynaecologist at Raigmore who said no further treatment was needed as women in the 60s and 70s do not get cervical cancer!!!. I am 66. Even my doctor was shocked when he told me this. He advised me to go private which I am doing on 23 April. This involves a flight to Aberdeen but I have no choice but spend money to find out the truth. If this private smear is hpv positive I believe I will have a malpractice case against the nhs. I believe they just fobbed me off to be honest and it was positive. Time will tell.

I hope your third smear is clear, when is that? x

[Positiveannie in reply to destiny234]

hi wow it's its worth persevering , tomorrow I'm booking in so should be within two weeks, so they said last year hpv positive and no abnormal cells,this time 1 year later letter says HPV positive but didn't have enough to see if cells have changed, I have found this all a bit drawn out,will have to be more patient, I'm 62 👍

[MommyTT]

I didn’t know you could order your own test. I am very interested in learning about this and how much it cost. I have had a lot of issues with my vagina being inflamed, painful and irregular discharge. I tested positive for pre-cancerous HPV 18 years or so ago. I have not had a problem or anything , until recently. My test a few months ago came back negative but I am getting progressively worse. I swear I have had something serious going on. I don’t know how all my tests keep coming back normal. I am now thinking I want to get tested by the place you mentioned. I am however, after your post, curious about the accuracy of the results - or if they are being rigged. Thank you for your help and advice.