Cervical Cancer and HPV

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-15-2005
Cervical Cancer and HPV
15
Thu, 06-08-2006 - 6:27pm

I wanted to post about this...mostly because it seems most women are ignorant to this AND doctors really haven't said much.


Did you know, having HPV makes you a higher risk for cervical cancer? Did you know there's a vaccine for young women and teenage girls to prevent them from getting HPV?


http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13206572/

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iVillage Member
Registered: 12-04-2003
Fri, 06-09-2006 - 11:57am

Cher, I went through the exact same thing earlier this year.

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-09-2003
Fri, 06-09-2006 - 12:24pm

I saw a story about this very thing on the today show this morning.


The FDA approved a vaccine that protects against the four main variations that are cancer causing. It is recommend that girl/women from ages 9-26 get the vaccine. However the expense is high $300 - $500 for the 3 required doses.


iVillage Member
Registered: 04-19-2004
Fri, 06-09-2006 - 2:04pm

Cher 60% of college aged girls have HPV and do not even know they have it. Its something that cannot be tested for, men can be carriers and there isn't a test that can be tested for them to find out if they are. HPV strain that causes cervical cancer doesn't necessarily cause the genital warts, so therefore you never even know you have it until a particular stressful time in your life and you pop on your pap smear with some dysplasia, therefore its hard to detect when you contracted HPV because it can lay dormant in your system for years. You could have contracted it from the first person you ever slept with.
I too have HPV and probably many other women on this board also have it and don't even know it. I discovered I had it when I was 26 and had dysplasia on my cervix, of course mine was discovered during a particular stressful time in my life, my divorce. I had to go every 4 months for a pap smear and I haven't had a bad pap smear since and she told me I may never again.

Hugs Cher. I know it seems really scary, I was bawling when I first found out too. But once I read up on it, I calmed down quite a bit. And they have made great strides. I am glad now they have approved a vaccine. Although I don't know that it helps us at all.

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-15-2005
Fri, 06-09-2006 - 2:29pm

SS,


I think, if it can help us, why not. I mean, the vaccination is supposed to protect against the 4 strains of HPV that are known to cause cervical cancer (or the ones associated with it, I don't want to use the word cause too loosely).


And if every doctor, runs an HPV with every PAP, we can be more informed. My hospital just started this (post-my last PAP). I thought that was great. If you are found to have HPV, they will then do futher test to find out which strain. I personally think this is great...espcially after finding out just now. I hope other doctors/hospitals do this...as hey, ANY knowledge that can help us to know what could happen, and be more preventative, is good.


and you're right, I have no clue where I got this from. Never had any symptoms of "warts", and even then, I don't even know what STRAIN I have (going to ask next time I go in...in september).


Knowledge is power. lol. I just wanted to spread the word, because like you said, most women don't even know they're carrying it, even if it is dormant, etc. And sadily most men are asymptomatic (that means they don't have symptoms, right? LOL) and even sadder, it doesn't affect them, so if they have it, no biggie. However, it'd be nice for men to know also, so they can warn their female partners, who could get it, and have it lead to cervical cancer.


I've never been one to be an advocate for anything, but this......after seeing my dad with his cancer, a co-worker, etc.....it just sucks. I'm just grateful, that if I do get cancer or even anything further than what I have.....with this type, it's very curable. :)


iVillage Member
Registered: 09-15-2005
Fri, 06-09-2006 - 2:31pm

"and the mortality rate is frighteningly high for cervical cancer, if undetected."


I am glad to know though...that when detected it has a very high curability rate...I believe it's in the 90 percentile. And thankfully, I'm told it's slow growing, however, if I didn't go and get that darn colposcopy, who knows where I'd be in another year or more....scary.


I hate going, and although I'm somewhat glad I did. I really hate it.


iVillage Member
Registered: 09-15-2005
Fri, 06-09-2006 - 2:34pm

"The FDA approved a vaccine that protects against the four main variations that are cancer causing. It is recommend that girl/women from ages 9-26 get the vaccine. However the expense is high $300 - $500 for the 3 required doses."


Yup, and I think that's what my link is to, no? lol. I didn't realize the expense was so high, although, if I had a DD, I'd pay it. Hell, I think I'll tell K about this, for his neices. Hell, I'd pay for theirs. I'd rather not see them go thru this ever.


And I did see one article that a doctor stated that his hospital most likely would just implement it with all the immunizations that kids get.


iVillage Member
Registered: 04-19-2004
Fri, 06-09-2006 - 3:09pm

From what I've been told there is no test for men.

I am asystematic as well. I have no symptoms at all. Other than that one time I had dysplasia on my cervix I have no other symptoms of HPV.

So other than the dysplasia on my cervix showing up I never knew I had it. So if that had never showed up I never would have known, I was asking you is the vaccine going to help someone who already has HPV, usually a vaccine is suppose to be for someone who doesn't have it already. Although there are other strains of it so I suppose it could help against the other strains.

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-09-2003
Fri, 06-09-2006 - 3:20pm

Probably the same source for the article. I didn't pay that close attention. lol


That's what I was wondering, how it would be implimented. As well as the possiblity of insurance covering it. I plan on asking not only my kids pediatrican


iVillage Member
Registered: 09-15-2005
Fri, 06-09-2006 - 4:10pm

Oh, gotcha.


The vaccine is for those that do not already have the virus, that is why they say its for females, ages 9-26. Because those are supposed to be the age where they most likely are not sexually active, and/or have not been exposed to the virus. (is virus the right word? whatevers).


I didn't know there wasn't a test for men. I wonder why. BTW, i have no symptoms either, except the stupid bad paps. maybe that would explain the abnormal paps for the past 10 years. however.....it's only gotten worse recently (past 6 years or so).


I also believe the vaccine is for FOUR strains only, so I don't think it would help with the others. not sure though. depends on how specific a vaccine can get.


iVillage Member
Registered: 09-15-2005
Fri, 06-09-2006 - 4:14pm

I didn't do a ton of research on the vaccine. Mostly since I can't get it. lol. However, I think it'd be good for you to ask your kids

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