Pickle Eyes

I am so sad to hear how she is struggling! It really makes me sad. You all are in my prayers!

No one has ever asked me this, but I think about it a LOT!

I personally think research on HPV is still fairly new. The virus was found in cervical cancer in the 1970s. The HPV/dna test was approved by the FDA only 4 or 5 years ago. The vaccine was approved only 2 years ago. I think, now that the HPV/dna test is being used more frequently on women over 30, I think there will be a dramatic increase in women knowing they have HPV.

The good news about the test is it detects active infections. So if a woman has an active virus, the doctor can do more research to identify if and where the virus is causing damage.

Afterall, it is because of the HPV/dna test that my doctor had even a hint that anything was wrong. As you know, with adenocarcinoma women usually have good paps for years (or decades). I *never* had a bad pap, even up to my last swab before my hysterectomy and including my post-hyst swab. I've always had good ones. I am in a tiny percent of the population who develops cancer (something like 0.01% or 1/10,000) since I always had my paps and they were always good.

The scary thing about adenocarcinoma, is that it seems like there are younger and younger women who are being diagnosed with AIS or invasive AdCa. This distresses me.

I tell everyone I can about making sure they stay current on their paps. I tell people that paps don't detect ALL cervical change. The pap is just a screening device. If a woman (esp over 30) has a bad pap, I always encourage her to have an HPV/dna test. If a woman (over 30) goes for a colpo, I strongly encourage her to ask for an ECC (endocervical curettage). It is the only non-surgical way to sample the tissue in the cervical canal. As we know, that is where adenocarcinoma sets up shop.

I think it is imperative that a woman be well informed on what her pathology/biopsy results say. Don't trust the doctor to tell you every thing. Research, but from reliable sources. Ask questions. Go to the doctor with written lists of questions. I personally think doctor's take a patient more seriously if he/she has a list of questions/concerns. I think it shows that the patient is knowledgeable.

I think the best I can do is to inform family, friends, and coworkers (or even strangers on the street if they ask about my teal and white ribbon that I wear).

What do you think?

((((hugs))))) to you!

Totally off topic, I had the most difficult time trying to post this! I kept getting an error message and was only allowed to use "quore reply" but then couldn't actually post. I guess the entire site had a problem.