You may have heard that CIN and cervical cancer is caused by a virus infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV). While it is true that virtually all women with CIN and cervical cancer have had HPV infection, so have a huge number of other people without disease.  About 4 out of 5 adult men and women have had HPV infection at some time in their lives but only a minority of women with an HPV infection ultimately have an abnormal smear and a tiny fraction get cervical cancer. It is acquired or caught in almost all cases at sexual intercourse but the infection is so common and so subtle that referral to a sexually transmitted disease clinic or calling this a ‘VD’ or venereal disease is inappropriate. Certainly no antibiotics or other treatment for infection is required. The smear abnormality requires further sampling or sometimes treatment in colposcopy clinic but the virus itself does not require treatment.

A test for HPV infection has been available for research but is not yet part of routine practice. This may be introduced for certain types of smear problems in the next few years. Immunisation against HPV is being considered but is unlikely to alter the rates of smear abnormalities for many years.

You should be aware that smoking can make cervical changes occur more rapidly and stopping smoking may be advised by your GP, practice nurse or people in the colposcopy clinic.

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