Do you know that Pap smear misses women with pre-cancerous cells 15% - 50% of the time?
Combine Pap smear together with HPV can increase the accuracy to nearly 100%.
If you want to know more about HPV and cervical cancer, you may want to visit this website for their audio guide presentation. I have cut and paste the information from the audio guide but it'll be better to watch from the video/audio guide.
Here's the address: http://thehpvtest.com/under-30/HPV-facts-keypoints-HPV-virus.html
Cervical Cancer
Cervical cancer is preventable through regular screening. Cervical cancer grows slowly, often over 10 to 15 years. If found early, abnormal cell changes that may lead to cancer can be treated and eliminated. This almost always prevents cervical cancer. When not found early, abnormal cell changes can cause cervical cancer, which can spread beyond the cervix. This is more difficult to treat, and much more dangerous. So it's really important to catch it early. Since you can't FEEL cell changes, you need regular screenings. HPV and Cervical Cancer
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cervical cancer is almost always caused by a common virus, the human papillomavirus (HPV). There are over 100 kinds of HPV. But only a dozen or so are linked with cervical cancer. These are called “high-risk" HPV. If you have high-risk HPV it does NOT mean you'll get cancer. Most women who have high-risk HPV will NOT develop cancer. HPV is very common. You can get it from sex or any sort of fooling around where there's skin-to-skin contact in the genital area. And condoms don’t completely prevent it. HPV can hide in the body for many years, maybe even decades. So having HPV doesn’t mean anyone cheated. It may just mean that you or your partner caught it when you were younger and your body hasn't completely fought it off. Most of the time, the body’s normal healing process gets rid of HPV. Only high-risk HPV that stays in the body for many years can lead to cervical cancer. HPV Testing
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Knowing whether or not you have high-risk HPV does a few things:
It helps you and your doctor know if you are at a greater risk for developing cervical cancer. It helps your doctor know when to watch you more closely, even before there are any abnormal cell changes. It can let your doctor know if an ASC-US (borderline) Pap is anything to worry about — so you can avoid any unnecessary colposcopies or biopsies. Should I be tested?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you're under age 30, you do NOT need an HPV test at the same time as your Pap. Although it’s VERY common to have HPV in your 20s, most likely, your body will just fight it off. Of course, make sure you get regular Pap tests. At this age, you only need an HPV test if your Pap result is unclear (ASC-US).
If you’re 30 or older, HPV is much less common. So if high-risk HPV is still hanging out in your body, there's a greater chance you could develop cervical cancer. You can get tested for high-risk HPV at the same time you get your Pap.
Together, these tests give you and your doctor a very accurate picture of your risk of developing cervical cancer. The HPV test looks for the virus that causes cell changes that can lead to cervical cancer. And the Pap test can let you and your doctor know if you already have cell changes.
Cervical cancer is preventable through regular screening. Cervical cancer grows slowly, often over 10 to 15 years. If found early, abnormal cell changes that may lead to cancer can be treated and eliminated. This almost always prevents cervical cancer. When not found early, abnormal cell changes can cause cervical cancer, which can spread beyond the cervix. This is more difficult to treat, and much more dangerous. So it's really important to catch it early. Since you can't FEEL cell changes, you need regular screenings. HPV and Cervical Cancer
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cervical cancer is almost always caused by a common virus, the human papillomavirus (HPV). There are over 100 kinds of HPV. But only a dozen or so are linked with cervical cancer. These are called “high-risk" HPV. If you have high-risk HPV it does NOT mean you'll get cancer. Most women who have high-risk HPV will NOT develop cancer. HPV is very common. You can get it from sex or any sort of fooling around where there's skin-to-skin contact in the genital area. And condoms don’t completely prevent it. HPV can hide in the body for many years, maybe even decades. So having HPV doesn’t mean anyone cheated. It may just mean that you or your partner caught it when you were younger and your body hasn't completely fought it off. Most of the time, the body’s normal healing process gets rid of HPV. Only high-risk HPV that stays in the body for many years can lead to cervical cancer. HPV Testing
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Knowing whether or not you have high-risk HPV does a few things:
It helps you and your doctor know if you are at a greater risk for developing cervical cancer. It helps your doctor know when to watch you more closely, even before there are any abnormal cell changes. It can let your doctor know if an ASC-US (borderline) Pap is anything to worry about — so you can avoid any unnecessary colposcopies or biopsies. Should I be tested?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you're under age 30, you do NOT need an HPV test at the same time as your Pap. Although it’s VERY common to have HPV in your 20s, most likely, your body will just fight it off. Of course, make sure you get regular Pap tests. At this age, you only need an HPV test if your Pap result is unclear (ASC-US).
If you’re 30 or older, HPV is much less common. So if high-risk HPV is still hanging out in your body, there's a greater chance you could develop cervical cancer. You can get tested for high-risk HPV at the same time you get your Pap.
Together, these tests give you and your doctor a very accurate picture of your risk of developing cervical cancer. The HPV test looks for the virus that causes cell changes that can lead to cervical cancer. And the Pap test can let you and your doctor know if you already have cell changes.
Getting an HPV Test
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Before your next exam, remember:
Avoid going in for your exam during your period,because having your period makes it hard for the doctor to get a good cervical specimen. It is best to schedule your appointment when you are not menstruating. For 2 days before your appointment, do NOT have sex without a condom, and do NOT use tampons, vaginal creams, medication, douches, or anything in your vagina at all. If you are pregnant, your doctor may wish to postpone your Pap and HPV test until after the baby is born. Getting tested for HPV is exactly like getting a Pap. It's no extra work for your doctor. Many times the lab can use the very same sample for both tests.
Insurance Coverage of the HPV Test
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Most insurance companies pay for HPV testing, either to resolve inconclusive Pap tests or for routine screening with a Pap test in women 30 and over. Each woman’s insurance benefits vary, however, so you may want to call your insurer before your visit to find out if your policy covers the test.
If you don’t have insurance, or if your insurance plan doesn’t yet cover HPV testing, you will likely get a bill from your lab for the cost of the test. The amount billed for an HPV test varies considerably across the country. Ask your doctor what the lab usually charges in your area.
Asking for an HPV Test
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Speak with your doctor at your next appointment or call her before your next visit to ask for the HPV test.
If you call before your next exam, your doctor may be able to tell you if an HPV test is something they now do for all women over 30. Write down any questions for your doctor before you go, so you don’t forget. If you talk to your doctor at the office, ask for the HPV test before she starts your exam. This way she can have the test ready before she begins your exam. Let your doctor know you understand the facts: HPV is very common and it usually goes away on its own. Sometimes the Pap can miss things. The test results aren't any sort of judgment of your sex life. Knowing whether or not you have HPV will help you better understand your risk of developing cervical cancer. If the HPV test sounds right for you, don't be shy. Ask your doctor for it and go from there.
If this helped you, pass this information along to your friends or other women in your family.
What You Need to Know After Your Test
Your Test Results
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Normal Pap & no HPV You're fine. But you should still see your doctor regularly, and talk with her about when to come back for your next appointment.
Normal Pap & HPV + You're probably OK. But your doctor may want to keep a closer eye on things and do both tests again in 6 months to a year.
ASC-US Pap & no HPV You're fine. See your doctor again in a year for your regular exam. This is one way the HPV test is really helpful. It lets your doctor know if an ASC-US Pap is anything to worry about and whether further action is needed.
ASC-US Pap & HPV + Your doctor will want to take a closer look at your cervix. Abnormal Pap Your doctor will look at your cervix no matter what your HPV test shows.
Colposcopy and Biopsy
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To take a closer look at your cervix, your doctor can do a "colposcopy."
The cervix is washed with a vinegar solution. Cells that turn white may be abnormal. She'll use a bright light and a high-power microscope to look at any white areas. If she sees anything, she may also take a small piece of tissue so it can be tested. This is called a "biopsy."
No comments:
Post a Comment