kimiesoscared
06-29-2007, 07:36 AM
I was told yesterday June28, 2007 that I tested positive for HPV and my pap was abnormal. I was in total shock-I am 40 and have had 4 partners and have been married for the last 6 years. I am so scared I will have cancer now-my last pap was around 3 years ago and I especially feel horrible because I should have done it yearly-so all I can do is cry and think about the C word. I am so scared and I don't want to die. As much as I may complain about lifes troubles-I don't want to die and I am so scared. Today I will be speaking to the dr (if she is in) more in depth about further testing. God help me!!!
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FromSqueaky
06-29-2007, 12:54 PM
Try and relax. HPV is a treatable disease. You are not alone. 80% of women have HPV.
You are not going to die. HPV is treatable. At the very worst they might have to do a hysterectomy. In March of 2007 the report predicted to expect 3,670deaths from cervical cancer this year. That's a tiny fraction of the 270,100 projected female deaths from all cancers. Your chances are very good. I think the deaths are from women that have not seen their doctor in years.
You are not going to die. HPV is treatable. At the very worst they might have to do a hysterectomy. In March of 2007 the report predicted to expect 3,670deaths from cervical cancer this year. That's a tiny fraction of the 270,100 projected female deaths from all cancers. Your chances are very good. I think the deaths are from women that have not seen their doctor in years.
LAgirl81
06-29-2007, 03:41 PM
Kim,
You should read through the threads on the Cervical/Ovarian cancer board. You will find a lot of useful information as well as read other women's testimonies on similar experiences.
What exactly did you pap result say? Was it ASCUS? Did it say you have a grade of dysplasia? You need to find out exactly what it said.
Chances are you don't have cancer as your doc probably would've had you come in RIGHT away to the office. A pap smear is a screening tool so it more likely that you have some type of pre-cancerous changes on your cervix, or even just some mild atypia not associated with pre-cancer. But definitely talk to your doctor about your particular results.
Relax. You *must* relax. Do your own reading up and research on HPV and cervical cancer. Trust me, you will feel better. A looooot of us women on this board are going through the same thing right now. Take comfort in knowing you're not alone and read through the cervical cancer board threads.
HPV is RAMPANT. It is *everywhere*. If you have sex, chances are you have or will have HPV. It can lay dormant in your bodies for years. When it is active, a high-risk strain will usually affect your cervix, causing your pap smear to come back abnormal. RELAX. This does NOT mean you have cancer, NOR does it mean you ever will get cancer. Depending on the level of pre-cancer (dysplasia), there's a good chance that your body will fight the infection on your cervix and it will go away. If it's severe dysplasia, there are simple, effective procedures to remove the tissue from your cervix, causing minimal risks to your health (and only a very small percentage of women who get these procedures encounter probs with childbearing, but most women have no problems after treatment whatsoever).
The # of partners you had makes no difference. Of course, the more people you sleep with, the more likely you'll be exposed to more STDs. However, most women I know who tested positive for HPV (myself included) only slept with a couple of people in their lives!!
It is very, very, VERY common. There is no test for men but more than likely most (if not all! haha) sexually active men have HPV, but they exhibit no symptoms (unless they have a low-risk strain which causes warts, but that's not as common).
The good thing is that you're seeing your doctor and you will get taken care of. Try not to panic and think about cancer until you know *exactly* what is going on with your body. In the meantime, relax and read about HPV and dysplasia. The more you know about it, the less you will freak out over it. I know it's a blow to receive the diagnosis for the first time, but trust me, you will feel better about it, especially knowing that trying to avoid getting HPV if you're sexually active is a moot point-- most people have it/will get it. Take care!
You should read through the threads on the Cervical/Ovarian cancer board. You will find a lot of useful information as well as read other women's testimonies on similar experiences.
What exactly did you pap result say? Was it ASCUS? Did it say you have a grade of dysplasia? You need to find out exactly what it said.
Chances are you don't have cancer as your doc probably would've had you come in RIGHT away to the office. A pap smear is a screening tool so it more likely that you have some type of pre-cancerous changes on your cervix, or even just some mild atypia not associated with pre-cancer. But definitely talk to your doctor about your particular results.
Relax. You *must* relax. Do your own reading up and research on HPV and cervical cancer. Trust me, you will feel better. A looooot of us women on this board are going through the same thing right now. Take comfort in knowing you're not alone and read through the cervical cancer board threads.
HPV is RAMPANT. It is *everywhere*. If you have sex, chances are you have or will have HPV. It can lay dormant in your bodies for years. When it is active, a high-risk strain will usually affect your cervix, causing your pap smear to come back abnormal. RELAX. This does NOT mean you have cancer, NOR does it mean you ever will get cancer. Depending on the level of pre-cancer (dysplasia), there's a good chance that your body will fight the infection on your cervix and it will go away. If it's severe dysplasia, there are simple, effective procedures to remove the tissue from your cervix, causing minimal risks to your health (and only a very small percentage of women who get these procedures encounter probs with childbearing, but most women have no problems after treatment whatsoever).
The # of partners you had makes no difference. Of course, the more people you sleep with, the more likely you'll be exposed to more STDs. However, most women I know who tested positive for HPV (myself included) only slept with a couple of people in their lives!!
It is very, very, VERY common. There is no test for men but more than likely most (if not all! haha) sexually active men have HPV, but they exhibit no symptoms (unless they have a low-risk strain which causes warts, but that's not as common).
The good thing is that you're seeing your doctor and you will get taken care of. Try not to panic and think about cancer until you know *exactly* what is going on with your body. In the meantime, relax and read about HPV and dysplasia. The more you know about it, the less you will freak out over it. I know it's a blow to receive the diagnosis for the first time, but trust me, you will feel better about it, especially knowing that trying to avoid getting HPV if you're sexually active is a moot point-- most people have it/will get it. Take care!
kimiesoscared
06-29-2007, 03:52 PM
Thanks so much for your words. I spoke to my gyn a couple of hours ago and she said my pap was atypical - no dysplasia. She also told me to relax because I broke down with her. She said she is sure I don't have cancer-there is 1% chance which is practically nothing. She still would like for me to have a copolscopy just to make sure she did not miss anything-precaution of course. She mentioned that every call she has made this morning consisted of telling a women she had HPV which is totally common. She will have the office call me today or next week to schedule this. In the meantime I do feel better. Thank you so much and Thank God. I will keep you informed. I feel I can breathe a little better.
rosequartz
06-29-2007, 04:10 PM
you have nothing to feel guilty for.....
I don't even consider HPV to be an STD......
actually I like what some comedian said......
LIFE is a sexually transmitted disease.....
:bouncing:
I don't even consider HPV to be an STD......
actually I like what some comedian said......
LIFE is a sexually transmitted disease.....
:bouncing:
kimiesoscared
06-30-2007, 08:00 AM
That is funny-life sure is. Well I am scheduled for a copolscopy for July 18th because like I mentioned though pap was slightly abnormal they want to be 100% sure, which is good but I sure wish dr would of said no further testing needed but better safe than sorry. I have really learned a lesson because of fear I tried to avoid paps, ect and that really is not a wise decision because all I could think about when I thought it was cancer was if I had only done my pap sooner and not wait three years-the guilt of that made it worse for me. I will never go a year without getting all my necessary tests done. If I don't take care of myself who will? Thanks to all of you - your words give me strength.