| Don't Die of Cervical Cancer! HPV Test! |
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Important news regarding cervical  Cancer screening and prevention from the Gynecologic Cancer Foundation, that YOU can't afford to miss!!
Learn about cervical cancer prevention, screening and vaccination. Review this video on HPV testing and read the informative review from the Gynecologic Cancer Foundation below. You owe it to yourself.
What is HPV?
HPV is the short form for Human Papillomavirus. HPV is a family of very common viruses that cause almost all cervical cancers, plus a variety of other problems like common warts, genital warts and plantar warts. HPV also causes cancers of the vulva, vagina, anus, and cancers of the head and neck. Both women and men become infected with HPV types that cause cervical cancer through sexual intercourse and sexual contact. Are there different kinds of HPV?There are over 100 strains of the HPV virus, with over 35 known different HPV types that infect the genital tract. At least 15 of these can lead to cervical cancer. The most common cancer-causing types of the virus are 16 and 18. This is important to know because these two types alone cause about 70% of all cervical cancer. The cervical cancer vaccine protects against these two types 100% of the time. How does HPV work?An HPV infection rarely leads to cervical cancer. In most women infected with HPV, the cells in the cervix return to normal after the body’s immune system destroys the HPV infection without the woman ever having any signs or symptoms of the HPV. However, some HPV infections do not go away and may remain present in the cervical cells for years. Long-standing infection can lead to changes in the cells that can progress to cancer. It is these cell changes that a Pap test can detect. When the HPV virus is not treated, the cells will continue to change until they become cervical cancer. Because it can last so long in your body before any cell changes occur, it is difficult to know who transmitted the HPV to you. Don’t make assumptions and blame your current partner. How Common Is HPV?HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection. It is common in all sexually active people. At least 70% of sexually active people will get HPV at some time in their lives. HPV is most common in young women and men who are in their late teens and early 20s. The CDC estimates that there are 6.2 million new infections each year in the United States. Since it is so common, there is nothing to be ashamed about. If you are diagnosed with HPV, talk to your health care provider about it. Get answers to your questions. 
What are the signs and symptoms of HPV?Most women and men do not know when they are infected with HPV. There are usually no symptoms. Anyone who has ever had genital contact with another person, not just sexual intercourse, can get HPV. Both men and women can get it-and pass it on to their sex partners without even realizing it. An abnormal Pap test result is usually a woman’s first clue of an infection, but most HPV-infected women do not ever have an abnormal Pap test result. HPV is not HIV or Herpes. They are different viruses with different symptoms. How can I protect against HPV infection?The only sure way to prevent HPV infection is to abstain from all sexual activity. Sexually active adults can reduce their risk by being in mutually faithful relationship with someone who has had no other or few sex partners, or by limiting their number of sex partners. But even persons with only one lifetime sex partner can get HPV if their partner has had previous partners. Do condoms protect against HPV?Recent studies suggest that condoms provide some protection against the HPV infection. However, since condoms do not cover all areas of the body involved in sexual contact that can be the source of the spread of HPV, they do not offer complete protection. However, in addition to HPV protection, they do reduce the risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted disease when used all the time and in the right way. What are the factors that increase your risk for HPV?You are more likely to get HPV if you smoke, if you start having sex at a young age, or if you have many sex partners or your sex partner has many sex partners. How do I know if I have HPV?The only way to know if you have an HPV infection is if your health care provider tests you for the virus. This may be done directly from the Pap test container or by using an additional swab at the time of the Pap test. Your health care provider may or may not perform the HPV test, depending on many factors including your age and risk factors. The only way to tell if a cancer-causing type of HPV infection has caused the cells in your cervix to change is to have a Pap test. Signs of an HPV infection may appear weeks, months or years after the first infection, which is why it is important to have regular Pap tests and HPV tests as recommended by your health care provider. 
Why isn’t there an HPV test for men?The diseases that HPV causes in women do not happen in men. So the test results will not be helpful for a man. I’ve been told I have HPV. How do I know if or when it has cleared up?Most HPV infections will clear on their own. Those women that have long-standing HPV infections are more at risk for developing cervical precancerous lesions or cervical cancer. There is no shot or pill that is available to clear your HPV infection. Hopefully, as in most women, your body’s immune system will clear your HPV infection on its own. If your health care provider is performing an HPV test on you, and your test is negative, it is likely that your infection cleared. Should I get an HPV Test?The HPV test detects high-risk-or cancer causing types of HPV that can cause changes in your cervical cells. However, this test cannot tell you the exact type of high-risk HPV. Women 30 years of age and older can have both the Pap test and the HPV test for cervical cancer screening. The HPV test can also be used to help understand the meaning of a borderline abnormal Pap test. In that situation, your health care provider may do an HPV test to find out more about the abnormal cells. However, if your Pap test shows a definite pre-cancerous abnormality, an HPV test is not needed. Virtually all of these changes are caused by HPV. You can assume the HPV test will be positive. Is there a
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| Last Updated ( Sunday, 10 February 2008 ) |
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Removing ovaries to be safe - good idea????
-1:00 - 20.11.2008
Dear AllA while ago I posted asking if US could DX ovca at early stage, and got SO MANY wonderful replies, for which I was extremely grateful.I've now gone on to have some investigative work done, and a detailed TVS has shown that I have a cyst on my right ovary which is not functional, but is almost 50:50 either benign or borderline.There doesn't seem to be any invasion of the ovary tissue from the cyst, and it is poorly vascularised, both of which I believe are optimistic signs. I read (on an Internet search) that around 7% of borderline cysts progress to becoming malignant. However, because my husband has Stage IV kidney cancer and 'staying alive' is, right now, our main concern (!!!!), I am thinking of simply having a double oophrenectomy (sp?!) (I'm 55, and my bloods show I'm now perimenopausal, so my ovaries are due for retirement anyway!), and being done with it (I hope....!) I'm not clear whether suregery would include the fallopian tubes as well. Everything else in my pelvis is showing OK, so far as I understand. (Plus, no family history of ovca etc)Has anyone else been in a similar situation, and what was your decision, and your experience? My husband is worried at the thought of me having surgery (he had his kidney out this year, so knows abdominal surgery isn't a walk in the park!), though the TVS gynae says it could be done with keyhole.However, I also wonder whether it's best NOT to do keyhole, as is there not a risk that the ovary will rupture during removal, and then, if there IS any malignancy (or even proto-malignancy) in the cyst, that may get loose into my body and nest somewhere else!All information on this will be MOST gratefully received.I am very glad I did go ahead and get all this further checked out. I know US has its limitations, but even so, I think it's paid off this time by spotting 'something'.All the very, very best to all of you fighting ovca, and I hope, hope you win your battles.Julie.
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Abnormal cells after LEEP
-1:00 - 19.11.2008
I had the leep procedure done in the end of march and I recently had an abnormal pap.Before i had this procedure I was told I could have some difficulties with having children in the future. Well I went in for a pap and she told me everything looks great and now I recieved my results back and it came back abnormal. For once in for all i thought maybe i could have children without worring..but now im going back in on monday and im 24 and i almost want to be selfish and have a child now before its to late and things just get worse. Has anyone experienced a leep and abnormal paps and have had children after?I never thought i would have to think about this at my age but not having children in the future years and waiting for it will kill me. someone please help me with a story of their own.Danny
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Cone Biopsy
-1:00 - 16.11.2008
So the background info is that I had an abnormal pap in 2006, was diagnosed with HPV, and had a colposcopy in 2006 that showed low grade dysplasia. They wanted me to have 6 month paps and would watch and wait I suppose. From there, I wasn't impressed with my doctor and switched to a different clinic. I had my records from the previous clinic sent to this one so there wouldn't be any confusion as to what was going on or why I was so persistent to have a repap right then which was 6 months after my previous one. So, afterwards I recieved a lovely letter in the mail stating that the results were normal for my condition. I probably should have asked what exactly that meant. But, I was thrilled with the thought of not having another colpo. Six months later I was back again for another pap. Thinking the last one was "normal for my condition" I didn't freak out at all until I got the call saying I needed to schedule a colposcopy because there had been changes. I'm not really thrilled at this point where I have a month to anxiously wait to have my colpo. I had the colpo last week and it really wasn't as bad as the first. Not really any pain except when she took the biopsy. My Dr. was really good at explaining what she was doing etc. and drew me a picture of what she saw. So I freak out for a week waiting for the results. For some reason they didn't have my records from the previous clinic I went to and my Dr. wanted to look at them to make comparisons I suppose. I was able to track down my records but found out she didn't really need them at this point. I talked to the Dr. Friday night at around 6pm while I was driving in the rain and couldn't see a thing. Not the best time to chat since I was a little preoccupied with not driving off the road. What I got out of the conversation was that my results came back high grade and something about glands. She wants to do a cone biopsy and I have the option of either doing it in the office with the LEEP or the operating room with the laser. She did explain the difference between the two but I was so distracted with the rain and driving and the high grade and glands part that I can't remember the difference between the two. I talked to her nurse today which was no help at all. She said she was new and didn't have answers to any of my questions but would have someone call me tomorrow. So I guess my question is...what is the difference? What does high grade and glands mean? Do I have cancer? Will I ever be able to have children? I don't do well with things that aren't in my control and at this point I'm seriously freaking out. Any answers or suggestions? Sorry for the lengthy detail.
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mouth sores from Doxil
-1:00 - 15.11.2008
I was just wondering if anyone has any cures that have worked for mouth sores from Doxil. My mom has them very bad. Her oncologist has given her varies treatments but nothing seems to work, not even the "magic mouthwash" My mom is a fighter, but this is really kicking her but. She started getting them with her 3rd treatment, were they were so bad that they even ran down her throat. Now on her 4th treatment she has them again, luckly not down her throat, but has them really bad, that she can barely even speak. Please help, she will pretty much try anything just to get rid of them.Sandra
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need advice
-1:00 - 14.11.2008
I am recovering from a cone biopsy and scraping of cervix. I am 1 week post op. My wonderful MD called me on thursday 11-13-08 to let me know that my results from the biopsy came back and did show severe displasia of the cervix, which i knew, that was why we did the procedure. He also told me that the scraping that was done further inside my cervix also came back with displasia. So i am left with not many options. Eaither go for another cone, or have a hysterectomy. I think this has put me in a depression. I feel down, tired, and dont want to talk to anyone. I have one child and probably would not have had anymore, but it is tearing me up to have this taken away from me. I know i have to have it done. I feel like i am not worth anything anymore. thanks dancie
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Radiation or not
-1:00 - 13.11.2008
I am post-op, a month ago I had a hysterectomy for cervical cancer 1a2, for my two week fallow up my doctor said that the tumor that was removed was bigger than what they thought and I might need radiation if it was bigger than 1/5 of an inch. My tumor was 3mm by 3.2mm before the surgery. I can not Imagine being much more. Does anyone know what is the cut off mesurement for not reciving anymore treatment after a hysterectomy?
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after chemo radiation
-1:00 - 12.11.2008
hi! I had treatment of chemo radiation in July. Some side effects i am experiencing still are swelling of the abdomen/ lower back ache/ some spotting - i also started HRT but wonder if anyone else experienced these things ? i am due back to cancer agency next week for check up.
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Signet Ring Adenocarcinoma
-1:00 - 12.11.2008
Hi, Any information on Signet Ring Abenocarcinoma ?
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scared
-1:00 - 11.11.2008
Hi, I am a 23 year old female. Over the past month or so I've developed some symptoms that are concerning me...For the past 2 years or so, I've had very painful intercourse upon deep penetration - I get a shooting pain throughout my pelvis....then about 1 month go, I started to experience burning upon urination & increased frequency...I made an appointment to go see my family doctor (to rule out infection, etc) & get a pap, in between the time of scheduling my appointment & going to see my doctor, I developed a dull aching in my pelvis, mostly in the lower right quadrant. I tell him this informtion, he does a urine test, pregnancy test - all negative. during my pelvic examination, he presses down on my lower right quadrant, & it just about sends me off the bed, I had pushed down on my pelvis on my own standing up & didn't really have much discomfort. Over the next few days I've been experiencing lower back pain & shooting pain into my right groin area. The doctor's next suggestion is to go for a pelvic ultrasound....however, I have to wait until January for an appointment- in the meantime I am beside myself worrying I have cancer! I will note that my periods have remained normal, & I have had no abnormal bleeding
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Signet Ring Adenocarcinoma/Ovarian Cancer
-1:00 - 11.11.2008
My BFF is 39 and was just diagnosed with Signet Ring Adenocarcinoma/Ovarian Cancer. Her first Chemo treatment is today.Does anyone have any experience with this type of Cancer or any suggestions that can help us better understand it?Any information would be really appreciated!Thanks,Juli
