When to Have Cervical Screening Tests

Emma Howard: Hello! We are answering questions on sexual health. I am joined by Dr. Catherine Hood. Hello Catherine! Dr. Catherine Hood: Hello! Emma Howard: Got a question here from a 25-year-old woman who says that she's never had sex and wants to know about cervical screening. Should she have a test if she is not sexually active? Dr. Catherine Hood: Okay. The cervical screening program was brought about to try and cut down the number of women who were dying with cervical cancer and it's been an extremely successful program. Over the years, we have discovered a little bit more about cervical cancer, and whereas in years gone by, we used to start cervical screening as soon as people started having sex; so it could be 17 or 18. We now know that the lots of the changes that we look for in the cervical screening program, in young people, they very rarely go on to produce cancer. So we were finding whole lot of things that really were not really quite important. So now most women are advised to start having a smear test at the age of 25. Now she is just 25. We also know now that 75% of cervical cancers and usually linked to a sexually transmitted infection called HPV or Human Papillomavirus, and there are two or three particular types of HPV that are responsible. So if you haven't had sex, the chances of you having picked up those infections are very small indeed. Emma Howard: So she could leave it for a few more years? Dr. Catherine Hood: She could leave it for a few more years, yeah. I mean, the thing to remember is cervical screening program isn't perfect, and there are still 25% of cervical cancers that are not - Emma Howard: They get missed. Dr. Catherine Hood: Yeah, they are going to get missed or that are not due to Human Papillomavirus. So it's worth having a smear test at some point. But I think - I wouldn't panic too much at 25. Emma Howard: But it is not wholly connected with your sexual activity. Dr. Catherine Hood: No. There are some cancers that are completely independent from sexual activity. So while the majority of that definitely are, there are some - it's worth having a test at some point, but I wouldn't rush if you have never started having sex. Emma Howard: But don't leave it beyond 30. Dr. Catherine Hood: No, I would have one before 30. Emma Howard: Thank you Catherine for that. Well, if you have a similar problem, we hope we might have given you some help. But remember, it's always best to go and see your own doctor for medical advice. Thanks for watching. We will be back with more health questions and answers.