Smear Tests (Thin Prep), HPV testing and GARDASIL

What is the Thin Prep test?

The Thin Prep cervical smear test is a new development in pap smear testing, using liquid-based technology.

Cervical smears are designed to identify pre-cancerous abnormalities to ensure appropriate treatment is given as soon as possible. However, there has been no change to conventional pap smears since 1950, and the old technology has several limitations.

The traditional smear test has a high failure rate, and is estimated to be 80 percent accurate. The new Thin Prep test has improved accuracy by about 54 percent.

With traditional smear tests, cells are taken from the cervix and smeared onto a glass slide for examination. There is room for error with this method, however, because the cells can dry or become covered by blood and mucus, obscuring any abnormal cells.

Advantages of the Thin Prep test

Due to the extra sensitivity of the Thin Prep test, there is less likelihood of being recalled for testing.

The Thin Prep test improves the chance of disease being detected and early treatment of pre-cancerous changes on the cervix.

The new test reduces the rate of false negative reports when disease is in fact present.

However, it is important to emphasise that no test is available to make cervical smear testing 100 percent accurate. It is therefore important for women to have regular smears, usually every three years, to ensure that any pre-cancerous changes are identified as soon as possible. Women who have already had an abnormal smear may require a cervical smear more often.

HPV Testing

HPV (the human papilloma virus, transmitted through intercourse) is responsible for most cases of cervical cancer and genital warts. HPV testing, which is now available at our centre, can help identify those women at greater risk of cervical cancer.

Gardasil: A VACCINE THAT CAN PREVENT CERVICAL CANCER

1. What is it?

Gardasil is a vaccine that can prevent cervical cancer. Gardasil can prevent high-grade cervical dysplasia (CIN 2/3). Gardasil has demonstrated excellent results against low-grade cervical dysplasia (CIN 1). It can also prevent vulval pre-cancers and external genital warts.

2. Who should be vaccinated?

Vaccination is recommended for girls of 9-15 years of age and young women of 16-26 years of age. It also benefits older women, but to a lesser extent.

3. How does it work?

Gardasil is a vaccine that protects against HPV types 6, 11, 16 and 18. These four types of virus are responsible for 70% of cervical cancer and 90% of genital warts.

4. How Gardasil is given

Gardasil requires a total of three injections at the following intervals: initial dose, second dose at two months, third dose at six months.

5. Are there any side effects?

The vaccine is usually well tolerated. The most likely side effects are pain, itching, swelling at the injection site and fever.

6. How much does it cost?

First injection with consultation: £223
Second injection and third injection: £110 each

7. Facts about cervical cancer

Cervical cancer is caused by the human papilloma virus. Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women under the age of 35 in the UK. On average 21 women die of cervical cancer each year in the UK.

What should I do?

Make an appointment for a consultation.
Your Thin Prep test will be done during the consultation.
The results will be ready in seven days.

For more information or to make an appointment, please call 020 7935 7501.

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