PSA: What you didn't know about HPV.

May 24, 2006 19:37

HPV, also known as the Human papillomavirus is actually a collections of different strains of the virus. About 10 of these can lead to cervical cancer ( Read more... )

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Re: Me too ragingcanary September 29 2006, 16:09:01 UTC
It depends on your personality. My aunt due to her career and past, she took the road of telling everyone to help educate them. For many years she headed Infectious Disease Units for hospitals and regularly taught courses and spoke at conferences about STDs. She later moved to Oncology to where she is now, she continues to speak at medical conferences and conventions.

Being at the forefront in a number of research hospital positions, she was surprised by HPV - something that she knew nothing about but some how effects over 90% of people. She talked my ear off about it, and educated everyone she knows.

The progression of her disease found abnormal cells/cancer in her uterus. She had a full hysterectomy and removal of surrounding lymphatic tissues. If she had gone another six months, she would have had to been on chemo and radiation therapy. If she had gone a year longer, her prognosis would have been even worse as the cancer found was the fastest spreading and most deadly. She has done well after the surgery.

HPV can lay dormant for many years. Google: HPV dormancy The length of time is subject of discussion. Many people can contract the disease but never show symptoms due to a strong immune system, but that doesn't rid the person of the virus it still sits and waits. Maybe you should talk your doctor into becoming more educated about the subject. If google can answer the dormancy of HPV, the information isn't too hard to find.

Best of Luck. Try to feel confident and self-assured. 90% of the population is purported to be infected with HPV and probably don't know it yet. You are lucky to have found it as early as you did. All the more reason for everyone to get their check ups - no matter how invasive they make feel.

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