cervical cancer

[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.

[xeney]

Just a note on routine testing for HPV ... until two years ago I had Kaiser coverage, and my last PAP test with Kaiser included an HPV test. The doctor told me that Kaiser was now doing this routinely, and if you have a normal PAP plus a negative HPV test, then you can drop your PAP tests down to once every three years instead of every two years. (With the caveat that you should still have them every year if you have a new sex partner or have multiple partners.)

My test was negative, which surprised me a little because I had an awful lot of fun in college.

I have different insurance and a new doctor now, and she didn't think much of Kaiser's three-year regime but did tell me that they will include the HPV test in an annual exam if you ask them to. I also got an HPV test as a routine part of my early pregnancy testing. (Still negative, so I don't have to kill my husband.)

[Kitsune06]

Ok so there are things a lot of sites etc leave out, and I'm curious, having followed this thread awhile- once it's contracted, are you stuck with it? I keep reading that some infections are cleared from the body, but does it lie dormant like the chicken pox virus- largely non-transmittable, or dormant with outbreaks like herpes simplex?
It troubles me that there's so much people are *not* taught in schools etc, to the point where rumor and urban legend take over. Also, if the virus is cleared from the body in many cases (surely it depends on the strain contracted?) does the cervical ca risk remain? Why then is it so important to vaccinate if it's something one is capable of 'recovering' from?
Sorry to inundate with questions, but as a young 20 something who, at last check, intends to be 'active'... I want to know as much as I can.

[HillSlugger]

In general "cleared" means gone, not dormant.

HPV is more easily passed on to another person when there are visible warts present and for at least three months afterwards.

Clearing of virus is likely related to strain and to biology/genetics of the individual person. Apparently, if the infection clears there is little (researchers rarely like to say "no") risk of cervical cancer.

Although most women will probably clear most HPV infections, with repeated exposure the odds of a nonclearing infection will increase. Since the link between cervical cancer and HPV infection is strong, and since the vaccination can provide immunity to most infections it will prevent a significant number of cervical cancer cases.

"In 2006, an estimated 10,000 women in the United States will be diagnosed with this type of cancer and nearly 4,000 will die from it. Cervical cancer strikes nearly half a million women each year worldwide, claiming a quarter of a million lives."

There's a lot of good info here (the source of that quote).

BTW, I have a 10 yo daughter and will likely get her vaccinated at age 12.

[Kitsune06]

Thanks MD.
Even seeing the freaky factors (from 50% to 75% women will be infected with it at some point in their lives?!) I think I will pursue the vaccination when it's within my means to do so. I should probably actually be tested before I do so. I didn't have fun in college, but I've been with someone who had, and in multiple countries, and that's reason enough. That's the thing about being broke and also not a student- I haven't had an exam since '03. I really need to get a start on that instead of being a hypocrite and b*tching about people not watching themselves.
Thanks to everyone who's posted on this thread. Things like this are hard for people to talk about, in general, but discussion is so important and so informative to not just people posting but also lurkers.
real insight is often not appreciated enough.