Smear tests 👇
There are over 100 different kinds of HPV (14 are known to be cancerous). Most HPV infections usually clear up without any intervention within a few months after acquisition, and about 90% clear within 2 years. Even the more carcinogenic types of HPV typically do not lead to cancer; rather, they clear without consequence Majority of women will have hpv cells, but they are cells that are protected with tcells. Cervical cancer takes many years to develop. It takes 15 to 20 years for cervical cancer to develop in women with normal immune systems, 5 to 10 with immune compromise.
Most HPV infections are benign, and over-reacting clinically to HPV positivity can cause psychological and possible iatrogenic physical (e.g., obstetrical) harm - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6514435/
A result may be reported as positive even though there is no HPV infection or changes to cells of the cervix. This is called a 'false positive'. A false positive may mean you will have further tests that ultimately confirm there was no risk of cancer at that time. There are up to 62% of false positives every year. https://www.gimaitaly.com/DocumentiGIMA/DocTecnici/st29702.pdf
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6514435/ Checks for HPV - majority of women will have hpv cells, but they are cells that are protected with tcells
The main income for GPs per year which make up roughly 40% are vaccines…closely followed by 36% from cervical screening. Yes, they get paid to do it!
