Understanding the new screening programme and what this means for you

Consultant Gynaecologist & Gynaecological Oncologist Mr Saurabh Phadnis at London Gynaecology helps to clarify the changes and addresses concerns surrounding cervical screening. Mr Phadnis answers a range of questions from what these changes mean for women, to revealing what the possible outcomes are following a screening, plus what it means to be HPV positive and what happens next if abnormal cells are found…

What changes have been made and when did this occur?  

 From April 2019, Primary HPV (Human Papillomavirus) screening was implemented in UK. This is new way of examining cervical smears, where the sample is checked for abnormal cells only if HPV is detected.

Why was this introduced?

Nearly all cervical cancers are caused by HPV infection. Screening for HPV is a better method for identifying those at a higher risk of developing cervical cancer. Also this reduces the need for further test such as colposcopy.

 What does this mean for women?

The actual test remains unchanged. Women still have a cervical smear. The benefit would be reduction in the number of women having unnecessary colposcopy examination.

Which means if high risk HPV is absent then chances of developing cervical cancer is extremely low. When you compare the pre-primary HPV screening era, many women were referred to colposcopy when the smear had borderline or low grade changes.

These will not be referred now on the basis of HPV negative smear and therefore reduction in colposcopy referral eventually. 

What happens during a cervical screening? How long does this take?

A cervical smear test involves vaginal examination to obtain cells from the cervix using a soft brush. It usually should not take more than 2-3 minutes.

What are the possible outcomes following a screening? What happens next?

If the screening smear is HPV negative, then the cervical smear is not checked for abnormal cells as the likelihood of one developing cancer is extremely low and recommendation is to repeat the cervical smear in 3 years.

If the screening smear is HPV positive, then the cervical smear is checked for abnormal smear. If no abnormal cells are found, recommendation is to repeat smear in 12 months. If abnormal cells are found then a special test called colposcopy is recommended. Colposcopy is simply examination of the cervix in detail using a telescope and special stains. It identifies if there is a precancerous area on the cervix. A biopsy from this area may be required for diagnosis.

Following a screening I’m HPV positive. Should I be worried and what should I do?

HPV infection is very common and does not need treatment. Most HPV infections are cleared by one’s immunity in approximately 2 years. HPV infection can cause genital warts, which may need treatment or abnormal cells from the cervix, which may need further investigation like colposcopy.

Make an appointment:

If you have any concerns and would like to book a consultation with Mr Saurabh Phadnis, please call our team on 0207 10 11 700 or email [email protected]

To learn more about Mr Saurabh Phadnis, visit his team profile here

View Mr Saurabh Phadnis’s latest patient reviews

Chia Seeds: Laura Southern reveals everything you need to know

Nutritional Therapist Laura Southern at London Gynaecology reveals everything you need to know about Chia seeds and why you should be sprinkling them onto your food.  Laura reveals their health benefits, from how they can help if you’re prone to constipation and irregular bowels to hormone issues.

You can read the full article in Women’s Health here.

A fantastic £17,643.25 raised for The Eve Appeal & Jo’s Trust

We are delighted to present The Eve Appeal and Jo’s Trust jointly with a cheque for £17,643.  Funds were raised by Consultant Gynaecologist Narendra Pisal running and completing the world’s oldest and largest marathon, the Comrades Ultra Marathon in South Africa in June.  Over the summer many patients and friends of London Gynaecology generously donated and sent messages of support and London Gynaecology matched the first £5000 raised.

The amount raised will be split between both charities and joining us on the day to collect the funds was Dan Joyce from Jo’s Trust and Becky Griffiths from The Eve Appeal.

Robert Music CEO of Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust said, “We’re so grateful for Dr Narendra’s commitment to supporting Jo’s over the years, continually taking on incredible feats to raise money. Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust is funded almost entirely by donations, so we rely on the generosity and enthusiasm of people like Dr Narendra.

The money raised will go a long way to ensuring we are able to support more people affected by cervical cancer and cell changes and be there when they need us most.”

Athena Lamnisos Chief Executive of The Eve Appeal said, “We are hugely grateful to Dr Pisal for taking on this incredible challenge and for raising over £18,000 for The Eve Appeal and Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust. We would also like to extend a huge thank you to his colleagues, friends and patients who donated so generously.

The money that Dr Pisal has raised will enable us to continue to fund research into the prevention and earlier detection of gynaecological cancers, bringing us closer to our vision of a world where less women develop and more women survive these cancers.”

To find out more about how we support The Eve Appeal and Jo’s Trust along with the vital work they do, click here.

Trends & Statistics: Pregnancy over the age of 35

More women than ever recorded are having children over the age of 45 and those deciding to have children after the age of 35 are considered having a ‘geriatric’ pregnancy. Consultant Gynaecologist Narendra Pisal shares his knowledge and reveals the true statistics and potential risks surrounding pregnancy in older age.  

Read the full article featured on Yahoo here.

Lets talk Vaginal Rejuvenation

Consultant Gynaecologist Mr Narendra Pisal spoke with NetDoctor to shed light on what vaginal rejuvenation actually is, from how it works to the factors that should be considered before deciding to undergo the procedure.

You can read the full article featured on NetDoctor here.

Make an appointment

If you would like to book a consultation with Mr Narendra Pisal, or any other member of the London Gynaecology team, please call 0207 10 11 700 or email [email protected]

Read Mr Narendra Pisal’s latest patient reviews

Quick, easy & simple pelvic floor exercises to know

Finding time for pelvic floor exercise can be troublesome with hectic lifestyles. Consultant Gynaecologist Narendra Pisal reveals the most effective pelvic floor exercises you can do if you’re pressed for time. 

Read the full article featured in The Mirror here.

Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)

Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder, also known as (PMDD), affects between two and 10 recent of women of reproductive age according to the International Association for Premenstrual Disorders (IAPMD). Consultant Gynaecologist Mr Narendra Pisal talks to Bustle about how the symptoms can effect and have a severe impact on a patient’s life.

Read the full article featured in Bustle here

Coping with PMS & PMDD

PMS is something that most women have to manage as best they con, however in some cases the symptoms are so severe the can have a significant impact on quality of life.  In these cases it is known as premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).

Consultant Gynaecologist Mr Narendra Pisal talks to NetDoctor about common causes, risk factors and how symptoms of PMDD can be alleviated.  Click here to read the article.

Food, Exercise and Your Periods

Ever noticed how your ability to exercise and what you want to eat changes throughout the month, wondered if it could be linked to your hormones.  Nutritional Therapist Laura Southern and Consultant Gynaecologist Mrs Pradnya Pisal talk to The Independent about the role of hormones and how this affects us throughout our monthly cycles.  Click here to read the article.

Bartholin’s Cyst Explained

Bartholin’s glands are small, pea-sized glands at the entrance of the vagina, behind the lips (labia minora). Secretions from these glands provide some of the lubrication during sexual intercourse.

Consultant gynaecologist, Mr Saurabh Phadnis, talks to Netdoctor and explains how to spot Bartholin’s cysts, abscesses and Bartholinitis.  Click here to read the article.