cervical cancer

[btchance]

RunningMommy,

I could be wrong, but two types of HPV are responsible for approximately 70% of cervical cancers (the viruses are labeled 14 and 16, I think). So, no, you do not have to have HPV to get cervical cancer, but it's most likely involved. Plus, the types of HPV that are linked to cancer are the ones that present no physical symptoms (like warts), so most women would have no idea that they were infected unless they were tested after a bad pap result.

You're right, you don't have to have HPV to have cervical cancer. It's just that the majority of cervical ca is caused by HPV.

There are different types of HPV that cause different problems (think of them like dogs - different breeds, each with different characteristics but the same basic make-up)

The ones that cause cervical cancer are 16 (50% of all cancers), 18 (10- 12%), 31, 33, 45, 53, and 58 making up the rest. The ones that cause genital warts are 6 and 11 which make up 90% of warts.

The vaccine only contains 16, 18, 6, and 11. So you can see that it does not prevent you from getting cancer or warts; it only decreases your risk. What I'm afraid of is that all of these women will get the vaccine and will assume that they don't need Pap smears, which they absolutely still do need. There is all this talk about risk factors for cervical cancer, but the main one is no Pap smears or infrequent Pap smears - if you have you're yearly Pap smear done, the risk of the abnormal cells progressing to cancer before they are caught is extremely low. So keep getting your Paps even if you get the vaccine. (okay, I'll get off my soap box now. This is just a pet peeve of mine, not watching out for yourself)

I know there are some more questions and I'll get to those in a bit. I've got some studying to do before a certification test tomorrow. I hope this little bit has helped, and I'll keep trying with any questions you ladies have.

[KnottedYet]

My doc knocked my Pap smears down to once every two years. All this is making me think maybe I should go back to once a year.

[btchance]

My doc knocked my Pap smears down to once every two years. All this is making me think maybe I should go back to once a year.

The guidelines are that if you are in a stable relationship and have had 3 neg Pap smears in a row, and they use a certain type of Pap, then you can go to every 2 years. you still need a pelvic every year to check the ovaries and uterus, but Paps can be every 2 years.

Edited to add: actually, I'm going to have to go back and double check something here. I know you can definately go to every two years in this circumstances, but there may be some other times. I'll get back to you in a bit on this one.

[annisk2000]

for those of us without a cervix, you too can get HPV and cervical cancer. I know it sounds crazy, but the cancer can sit up high in the "pocket" left after your cervix is removed.

HPV is rampant among single adults and unfortunatly there is no test for men so they dont' even know if they are carriers. Cervical cancer caused by HPV is usually of a slow growing type. As long as you have regular PAP's, you are in good shape. Once you have a positive PAP from HPV, and you are showing signs of displasia or growths, they usually recommend being checked every 3 months until you have 3 good PAP's in a row. It's actually rare to die from the type of cancer caused by HPV because most women get regualr check ups and it's caught early.

So, if you are "active" and have had a hysterectomy, it's still important to get a PAP. Especially if you've had more than one partner over the course of time.

The worst part is trying to sit in your saddle in the drops after having a Culpo and biopsy.

[Raindrop]

I was treated for cervical cancer in my late twenties and at the time (1980's) I had thought it resulted from my IUD. Knowing what I have read now, I suspect it resulted from HPV even though I had been a virgin when I met my husband. As others have indicated, it doesn't matter if you haven't been active...my husband (now ex) certainly had before we were married, and unfortunately, while we were married .

After going through semi-annual pap smears for about six years...I now am only getting annual ones. If I had a daughter, I'd definately have her get the vaccine.

[Kitsune06]

...just wish the prices weren't so damm high. I wonder if they anticipate lowering the price for the course in light of the high demand?

Damn medical practices- any time a monopoly or necessity can be created, it's exploited for all it's worth. You want to argue this point with me, let's start on insulin. Profits should not be as much of a goal as they are in the medical world.

[HillSlugger]

There's a nice NCI review of that latest HPV epidemiology study that's been in the news. One thing it mentions is that many HPV infections are naturally cleared by the body and pose little cancer risk. Also, infection by the "cancer strains", 6, 11, 16, and 18, was 3.4% overall.

[btchance]

The guidelines are that if you are in a stable relationship and have had 3 neg Pap smears in a row, and they use a certain type of Pap, then you can go to every 2 years. you still need a pelvic every year to check the ovaries and uterus, but Paps can be every 2 years.

Edited to add: actually, I'm going to have to go back and double check something here. I know you can definately go to every two years in this circumstances, but there may be some other times. I'll get back to you in a bit on this one.

This is all correct. You can also do Paps every 2 years if a certain type of Pap is done (a thin prep), in comparision to the more traditional ones. As xeney pointed out, some doctors are not willing to do the every 2 years, and of course, any time you change partners, you need to be retested.

[Kitsune06]

This is just a pet peeve of mine, not watching out for yourself).

Damm straight, Btchance, that's my thought on it, too. People shouldn't complain that there are getting to be requirements on having said vaccine. If there're preventative measures out there, one should pursue them. When I can, I intend to get the vacc... I'm 22, so well under their '26' limit, and though I don't sleep around, one never knows. I'd rather be safe than sorry, especially with something like cervical ca and its precursors.

[kelownagirl]

It has never occured to me to ask to be tested for any of those. Should I be? I am obviously too old for any vaccines (46). Can you be totally symptom-free?

Knot - my doctor only wants to do a pap every 2nd year now too.

[LBTC]

Knot - my doctor only wants to do a pap every 2nd year now too.

Mine too. Must be the latest trend.


H&B
~T~