[desirae]

I was diagnosed with HPV when I was pregnant with my first baby. Through research and talking with the doctor, I discovered that my chances of getting cervical cancer is much higher with HPV. I fear, especially since cancer runs in my family, that I will one day find myself with cervical cancer. What makes me fear this especially is the fact I don't have insurance and have not seen a gynecologist since I got my IUD, 2 weeks after my daughter was born.

[h0kie]

I would suggest going to Planned Parenthood. Their rates are really reasonable and they can tell how/what the HPV is doing.

A friend of mind had some sort of HPV strain that they were concerned about and they told her they should go to a ob/gyn to get it taken care of. If I'm thinking its the same thing my friend had as long as you stay on top of it, you can prevent cancer. She went in - had some sort of procedure done and she checks back in 3 months. If its still good then she goes back in 6 months. etc.

I know doctors are expensive, but how much are you willing to pay for your life? You know? A good friend encouraged me to go and take care of myself.

I can understand your concern and think "1dayatatime" gave some good advice.

One of my sisters had HPV and did get cervical cancer and went through surgery. The next time I was at the doctors, I voiced my concern and was told that cervical cancer is NOT genetic. My family has a cancer history(breast and lung cancer) but the doctor told me that this particular cancer has no connection to other cancers. (I hope that's correct info I'm giving you)

Not sure if that helps ease your mind...... just thought I'd mention it. I hope you can find a way to get regular check-ups.
Good luck to you desirae.

mandy

[h0kie]

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mandyfins said:
The next time I was at the doctors, I voiced my concern and was told that cervical cancer is NOT genetic. My family has a cancer history(breast and lung cancer) but the doctor told me that this particular cancer has no connection to other cancers. (I hope that's correct info I'm giving you)

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My doctor (who I love) told my best friend the same thing, Mandy. She had an aunt that had cervical cancer, so she was really worried.

[drunksunflower]

Oh thank god they have approved the HPV vaccine here.

I hate needles but I think I would go through it for peace of mind.

It protects against four strains I think.

As far as I know the advice you have been given is sound.

One thing to remember is that a very high percentage of people are carriers, but don't show symptoms. So it's debatable how much more at risk people who are symptomatic actually are.

[desirae]

I'm glad they approved the vaccine at well, because when my daughter is a young woman, I will be sure she receives the protection she needs....sadly HPV is so common. Both my sister and I have HPV, and more then likely the men she has slept with, and my husband have it as well. It's hard to detect and understand because there are no symptoms. I'm not even sure when and who I received it from. It could have been the boy I lost my virginity to, or my husband....who knows??

But yes the risks scare me, but it does put me at ease that this sort of cancer is not hereditary. Thanks for saying that.

There is a clinic in Scarbro that I used to go to when I was pregnant with my daughter. I called yesterday I found out they charge based on your income. I set an appointment to get a check up, and check on my IUD. I hope what they find was the same as before and all is well.

It probably helps that I've only slept with one man for the last 4 years. Hopefully that will be on my side.

Thanks all for your support. I appreciate you all being understanding, instead of being grossed out. HPV is considered an STD, but doesn't seem like one at times because of no symptoms.

[lenjan]

The vaccine is approved only for ages 11 to 26 -- you qualify, I don't come close (nor do a lot of folks!). Thought that was worth pointing out.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060731/...cer_vaccine_dc

CB

[drunksunflower]

One of my best friends has it Des, from the FIRST GIRL HE EVER SLEPT WITH.

I know how psychologically difficult it has been for him, he is still embarrassed every time he has an outbreak now.

My point that a HUGE amount of people carry the virus but are asymptomatic is important I think - you/he are just unlucky that you do show the symptoms.

The other thing I have read is that in many people the virus works its way out of the system naturally over a period of years. not sure so much about that.

[desirae]

That's strange....I didn't even know that HPV had outbreaks!.....what do you mean, what's an outbreak. All I've ever had was an abnormal pap, it was irregular cells they found in my cervix during my pregnancy. They said they were precancerous cells. Am i thinking of the same virus? Or is it the same thing, just different symptoms?

I know you all aren't Doc's, but do you think I could get the vaccine if I've already been diagnosed with it?

I think I need to do some research because I'm now realizing I know nothing about HPV.

[(JD)]

Many ppl are infected with this virus through the act of being born! Moms pass it on to children that way.

Good question des.. are they testing all the children (I heard as young as age 8 can ask for it) FIRST to see if they already have HPV?

[lenjan]

Uhhh ... it seems to me that being vaccinated after you already have the disease the vaccine prevents is kind of useless, maybe? You get vaccinations in order to PREVENT the disease. With childhood diseases, anyway, once you actually get the disease and live through it, you build up antibodies to it and so vaccine is pointless.

[desirae]

I actually got a book from the library a couple weeks ago called HPV and Abnormal Pap Smears, and What the Doctors don't Tell you. I need to get my lazy butt to read it so I understand what is happening to my body and what risks I may have. I hope I didn't pass this virus on to my babies, because I did deliver them both vaginally. They did give me some sort of meds though that reduced the risks of it spreading to my babies when I delivered them, so hopefully that did not happen.

[drunksunflower]

Many HPV strains cause genital warts - that's what my friend has, so that is what I referred to when i said 'outbreak'.

[zoidy]

There might be some benefit of having the vaccine even if you already have HPV - as it covers against four strains, that's still three (or four! If the one you have isn't included) more strains that you are protected against.

Important thing to remember is that unfortunately the vaccine doesn't mean you are off the hook for pap smears!

The medical buzz that I'm hearing at uni is that even if you're older than 26 it's quite possibly worth having the vaccine anyway. It's not going to cause any harm to over 26s that it wouldn't to under 26 people. The main reason that it's indicated for that age group is that it's assumed that most people are sexually active by 26 and then it's too late. But being sexually active does not mean that you have necessarily caught the virus yet!