How many women on the org have experienced or know of someone who has experienced Cervical Cancer? Orgnote me, maybe you can help me and my friend answer some important questions. I have had a couple of friends over the years that at one time in their life were diagnosed with having precancerous cells on their cervix. I hope moderators don't move this topic to another forum where nobody will see this. This is an important issue!

I often wondered whether this diagnosis is often mistakenly identified? I have a friend that she had precancerous cells on her cervix almost 15 years ago. She went and had cells frozen and burned off. She was also given Chemotherapy drugs. She had various surgeries over a three years period of her original diagnosis.

Either way she was never officially diagnosed with having cervical cancer. She was told she had pre-cancerous cells. 3 months ago, she got a positive pap smear after having the last 10 years of negative results. She went to a specialist and he said she may have been misdiagnosed 15 years ago and on her resent paps mear. She is going to have further testing done.

This is an important issue with all the controversy over the HPV vaccine. According to an artical I read today on CNN, They said that there are over 100 different strains of HPV. There have been studies that show it may be possible for HPV to pass through condoms because the small size of the virus. Also the virus is so common that a high percentage of people in the general public carry the virus with no symptoms. It was said that men are the greatest transmitters of the virus. What I was told from my friend that is there is no test for men, only woman can be tested.

I was also told that there are only a few strains of HPV that actually cause Cancer. There are also only a couple of strains that cause Genital warts.

On the news they said that the vaccine won't protect girls from all strains of the virus. On the today show they said that the vaccine was only tested on 1200 girls over a 5 year span. This is a hot topic, since a lot of school districts are requiring young girls to get the vaccine. Nobody wants their daughter, wife, mother, etc to get cervical cancer. I just hope this vaccine is safe. I would hate to see people getting scared to get the vaccine if it wasn't safe or effective. I'm like everybody else, I don't know if it will work or not.

It's possible they made a wrong diagnosis years ago but it's more likely that it's a new outbreak of cells. Once you have the precancerous cells, you always have to be watched for it. Also, since it's spread by a virus, you could pick up from any partner over the years.
I don't like the vaccine but it's probably a good idea for people who are having multiple partners or have a partner who has had multiple partners.

I know someone with HPV so I've done a bit of research on the subject. The most frustrating part is that simply not enough is known about it. Not enough studies have been done to get conclusive evidence for really anything. I've seen just about everything you've mentioned above, that only a few strains cause cancer and only a few cause warts. As for passing it along, I've not heard that it can pass through condoms, but that since it is passed from skin to skin contact, condoms may not cover all affected areas, so while condoms help prevent the spread, they may not be 100% effective. I've seen reports say you carry it for life, and other studies that suggest if there are no symptoms (for the strains that cause genital warts) after a year or so it goes "dormant" and you're no longer considered contagious. I've seen studies that suggest that up to 80% of sexually active adults have it, though most estimates I've seen range about 40-60%. Which, when you think about it, is an alarmingly high number. To think that way, half of your past sexual partners have had it, whether they show symptoms or not.
Again, the most frustrating is it's hard to know what info is correct.
And once you have any kid of precancerous cells, yes, you should be checked for them regularly and they can come back.

Sticky time

luv4u said:

Thank you luv

I thought it was important enough

It really bothers me how they make women who have HPV feel "Dirty" in the media. It sounds like HPV is really common. It sounds as though it is easily spread through skin to skin contact. So when you think about it that way, then you wouldn't necessarily need to have sexual penetration to spread the virus. Just think how many people use the rest room and never wash their hands?

Like I said before, it is a good thing that only a couple of strains cause Warts and Cervical cancer.

I wish the media would be more responsible and know the facts before spreading fear tactics and making women who have HPV feel dirty!

I think there is no need for everbody to be in a panic. People need to be using condoms anyway. You also can't expect people to just quit having sex. It ain't going to happen.

My friend Jody had cervical cancer.

It was a very long battle, she finally died of the disease.

sag10 said:

I'm sorry, Sag.

CarrieMpls said:

I've found this too...and I do communications in the medical field. It seems that no one has just one story on this virus.
In a meeting this morning I was told that we are going to start offering the vaccine to our employees -- our insurance will cover it. But, I'm still curious about the age limit.

Here's a informative page from the CDC:

http://www.cdc.gov/std/HP...ct-HPV.htm

About men and HPV http://www.cdc.gov/std/HP...nd-men.htm
[Edited 3/16/07 10:22am]

I would like to know if there is a 100% direct correlation with HPV and Cervical Cancer.

In other words does everyone who has cervical cancer test positive for HPV 100% of the time?

Do any women know of anybody who has had a False Positive Pap smear? In otherwords you may test positive, and the next time you tested negative on the next exam?

I don't want this vaccine to be like the next Vioxx, where it will be pulled off the market in a year or so because it is found to be unsafe.
[Edited 3/16/07 10:30am]

jaimestarr79 said:

That actually happens quite frequently. It hasn't happened to me, but to many women I know.

jaimestarr79 said:

I have heard of a false positive Paps. Here's some information for you

Are there specific types of HPV that are associated with cancer?
Some types of HPV are referred to as “low-risk” viruses because they rarely develop into cancer. HPV types that are more likely to lead to the development of cancer are referred to as “high-risk.” Both high-risk and low-risk types of HPV can cause the growth of abnormal cells, but generally only the high-risk types of HPV may lead to cancer. Sexually transmitted, high-risk HPVs include types 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, 68, 69, and possibly a few others. These high-risk types of HPV cause growths that are usually flat and nearly invisible, as compared with the warts caused by types HPV–6 and HPV–11. It is important to note, however, that the majority of high-risk HPV infections go away on their own and do not cause cancer (2).


http://www.cancer.gov/can...t/Risk/HPV

If you're a sexually active woman you are bound to have HPV whether it shows up or not. In most women it stays dormant and you'll never know, in others it'll show in a pap smear and you either have the cells frozen or burned off. There are no tests for men, it simply does not show up in them and causes no harm...other than spreading it to women

I had displaysia and when the results from my pap came back as abnormal the doctor first thought it was HPV. I freaked out and felt dirty and gross, I cried for days. I did a bunch of research on it and felt better because I read almost every woman has it if they are sexually active. Although I must say when the HPV test came back negative I felt a sigh of relief! I had always protected myself and had my boyfriends tested...so when I thought i had it I felt betrayed and just awful.

It's nothing to be ashamed about if you do have it. You just have to keep up in your pap smears and go more frequently. They can do so much for you now if you get regular checkups.

applekisses said:

It's just good to know that there are sometimes False positives. If the media would stop putting such a negative spin on HPV/ Cervical cancer the public would probably benefit alot more. The public could benefit from survivor stories. But unlike Breast Cancer, there is a negative Stigma attached to cervical cancer and HPV.

i really appreciate all the info all of you have contributed to the subject. I think it is an imporant issue.

when will i learn to save to clipboard before i hit post response??

~anyway~ i don't think gardasil will erradicate hpv anytime soon but it has to be viewed as a huge step forward. i just wish it was more affordable. the provincial government here has said it will not be paying for it. so that means only those who have an extra $400 kicking around and actually know that the vaccine exists will be getting it. "About 15,000 Gardasil prescriptions were sold by retail pharmacies in the first seven months it was available in Canada" not exactly a large number

the bottom line is we have to be our own best defense by getting regular pap tests! i have been guilty of telling myself that i wasn't sexually active at the moment so i didn't need testing... ummm hello?! cancer doesn't sit idly by and neither should we. knowledge is power. and we certainly could be better informed when it comes to hpv. even the person i know who had developed genital warts did not know that there were different strains of the virus that caused cancer. oh and it can cause anal cancer too. bet those numbers start to increase.

hpv can also play a role in causing infertility so it is in everyone's interest to be well informed. there is a great ad campaign on here right now. i know it is probably funded by the makers of gardasil but it is effective at raising the profile of the disease. women say "why didn't i know about this?" and go on to list some fast facts and finish with the tagline "tell someone"

applekisses said:

She is in Heaven, she was just that type of person!

Thank you.

By the way this is a great thread!

emm said:

I think it's just as important to educate men as well

they too can carry and spred it if I am not mistaken

USE CONDOMS always

Mach said:

Yes they do spread it but they have no way of knowing if they have it...unless their gf is diagnosed with it or a past partner comes forward and tells him. Condoms help, but when you're in a relationship with someone for a long time who wants to continue using condoms? Not me! So if you're gonna have sex you have to deal with the consequences.

jaimestarr79 said:

This is my concern as well.....I have three daughters and am weighing with my wife the benefits/risks of this vaccine.

While my younger two are 9 and 7 so we have some time to decide with them, my oldest will be 15 in July. I really want to do everything I can to help them have a healthy life. This vaccime might help, but it might hurt at the same time. I wish there was more information/studies on it.

And great thread by the way. It is informative and might help me and my wife along with our daughters to make some important decisions about their health and futures.

perhaps it's just me but i don't have any fears about this vaccine being unsafe

75% of the population will have contact with hpv in their lifetime. by vaccinating girls before sexual activity they will develop antibodies to the virus just like the small pox, measles, and polio vaccines do. that way when they do encounter the virus hopefully their body will be able to fight off that particular strain and the second leading cancer among young women can be reduced.

the trials were so successful that they recommended the participants who got the placebo to be vaccinated before the trials end. and vioxx was an anti-inflamatory drug. i don't think you can compare the two.

Was diagnosed w/ mild cervical dysplasia back in '92. They didn't know as much about it then and they treated it far more aggressively back then, too (could be why your friend went through all of that). I had a colposcopy & biopsy, which determined that my HPV strain was the cancerous type. Then I had laser surgery. Since then, all of my paps have been fine, but my cervix is more sensitive than normal and I experience more cramping than normal during my paps

Everybody's been right on with their answers. One thing I want to add is that when I used to teach sex ed for Planned Parenthood, I spoke to the Centers for Disease Control in Washington D.C. directly about the whole "pores in the condoms are big enough to let HIV/HPV, etc. through" rumor, and this is completely FALSE--unless you're using a lambskin or other animal skin condom. It's the skin on skin contact, as CarrieMpls said, that can still spread HPV from an uncovered spot.
[Edited 3/16/07 17:23pm]

I had two friends in college who had HPV. One had to start freezing her eggs immediately, because in 5 years she wouldn't be able to have kids. Mind you, this was all about 4 years ago, when nobody knew much about it.

My health insurance covers Gardasil 100%, thank god - but only for women 9 - 25. I'm getting the shot at the end of the month. Otherwise it's incredibly expensive. My doctor also told me that it's most effective before you ever become sexually active, but later is better than never. I've had a pap come back with abnormal cells, but it was fine after they tested it again.

I don't see any stigma attached to HPV... but maybe it's because I kind of grew up with the knowledge of it.

I had early stage cervical cancer, "carcinoma-in-situ" (my Dr. compared it to skin cancer) about 13 years ago (94-95). After the results of a colposcopy, I had what's called a cone biopsy- which in a nutshell means they took out a chunk of my cervix, it was expensive (I had no insurance), and very painful- at least week on painkillers afterwards. Yes, I was HPV positive, but I didn't find that out till later, no one talked or knew about it then. Most cervical cancer patients are. (Also, I was having regular Paps- once a year, since I was 16. Since they had always been normal, I was told by the Dr. that did my cone biopsy that the lab Planned Parenthood was using was probably overworked and may have missed earlier indictations. This issue- of overworked lab techs- was discussed in the press quite a bit also a few years back).
Had normal paps for a few years after, then had a few abnormals in 2002 where I was then told by a cancer specialist- "if you want to have kids, you might want to start thinking about that now", another cone would have made carrying a pregnancy difficult. (I was 34 at the time). So, I did. Got pregnant with my son shortly thereafter, had a normal pregnancy-and have had normal Paps since, thank God.

I think everyone who is able, should influence any parent who has daughters to get them this vaccine. I know it's expensive, but believe me- the procedures to remove it are more so. And that's if it's caught early enough. If I wasn't the type who was smart enough to be on birth control, and therefore going for annual Paps- on my own, since I was a teenager- I'd be dead right now. What worries me the most is that many of the parents who don't want their daughters to have this vaccine are the same parents who will be hesitant to discuss birth control and the use of condoms with them. Abstinence is a great idea, but doesn't always stick, and we are talking about saving young girls from infertility and cancer here. There is no reason to tell a 9 year old why they are having the vaccine, just make them have it.

TELL SOMEONE. Let them be one less.
[Edited 3/17/07 12:41pm]

Natsume said:

Hey, Nat!

HPV is still sexually transmitted, thus the "dirty slut" cannotation some of us felt when learning we had it. I talk about it (my HPV) because I want to help destigmatize it and blow away the stereotypes. I'd only been with one partner when I was diagnosed.....

paisley16 said:

I had pretty much the identical experience except they never said cancer they said severe dysplasia caused by HPV, have had normal paps since 94, still going good and am going to see when my 11 year old can have the shot, my 19 who is active can decide on her own.

great thread

butterfli25 said:

I agree this is a great thread

From what I understand, carcinoma-in-situ and severe dysplasia are in general identical. Some Dr's hesitate to use the "cancer" word as it is considered confined and treatable at that stage in most cases and sometimes they just aren't sure. http://www.wdxcyber.com/ncanc11.htm
"If 100% of the thickness has abnormal cells on biopsy, that is classified as carcinoma in situ. If the top third of the epithelium is abnormal, that is classified as severe dysplasia. In truth, pathologists cannot always differentiate between about 70% and 100% of the thickness so that severe dysplasia and carcinoma in situ are often lumped together to bring attention to the seriousness of the lesion".

I recall that after my colpo, he expected to be able to do the "freezing" (which apparently was very commonplace), but the biopsy results revealed the extent and dictated the cone, which also proceeded to be more drastic than he expected. Prior to going under, they told me I'd have some mild cramps after and could take Motrin. Instead I woke up in ufb horrible pain, was immediately given a shot of Demerol and later told they had to cut more than expected, and was sent home on Percocets for 2 weeks.

I'm glad to hear you are doing well!! I seem to be fine again also, since the scare in 02. Now that I have my son, I'm not as afraid of what might happen down the road. I'm almost 39 and don't expect to have any more children so...I guess I could deal with it now if it comes back. I never miss a Pap.

pharmaceutical companies only want to make money off the vaccine which does more harm that good