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I am 25. I have had normal paps every year since I first started having sex at age 17. Just last week my pap came back abnormal with high risk hpv. My doctor told me to schedule a colposcope/biopsy asap.
Does this mean that my results were really bad? Does she know what type of HPV I have ? What's the likelihood that it's severe or already cancer ? I also have no health insurance. If I apply for health insurance will the insurance companies deny me for a pre existing condition?
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Hi Char G.,
January 12, 2011 - 8:17amI know how overwhelming it is when you first learn about HPV, having it, and needing to have precancerous cells removed from your cervix. I've had cells removed more than once. I had a leep, cone biopsy, and cryoablation done to remove cells. Since then (2005, was first diagnosed in 2002), I have had no recurrence, have given birth to two children, and am happily married. Having HPV and cervical dysplasia is not a death sentence by any means. The best thing you can do is be diligent about following up with your scheduled visits with your doctor. And be sure to use protection (condoms) if you are not in a committed relationship.
For more information, here is an article about cervical dysplasia: What is Cervical Dysplasia?
Good luck and let us know how you're doing.
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Hi Char - As Alison said, education is really important. Cervical cancer is a cancer that is easily detected in the early stages and it is also one of the most treatable cancers. A lot of what we see in the media is focused on scaring people about cancer in order to get people to donate money to causes. The reality is that more than 12 million cancer survivors today live in the US alone, and the prevention measures and treatments have advanced remarkably in recent years. As a two-time cancer survivor I'm living proof these advancements work!
January 11, 2011 - 6:01pmTake care of yourself, get informed, follow up, and stay healthy!
Pat
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Hey Guys,
Thanks so much for your kind words! I am so relieved to hear that it is normal for most girls because I felt like I was so alone!
December 19, 2010 - 10:39pmThis Comment
no you don't have cancer !!!! Don't worry !!!
95% of women have high risk HPV. high risk just means that there is the possibility of getting cervical cancer in the wayyyyy future IF you don't get regular pap checkups. Your next step is to get a colposcope (takes 5 minutes and is super easy) so that your GYN can look around your cervix to make sure you don't have any abnormal tissue. Even if you have abnormal tissue, it's most likely not cancer. They would either be benign(not cancer and not pre cancerous) like mine were,
sin 1, sin 2 or sin 3. most womens results are benign or sin 1. neither of those require treatment. If you have sin 2 or sin 3 then all they have to do is remove the abnormal cells from your cervix.
It's a lot of information, I drove myself insane researching this when I found out I had hpv high risk but you'll soon see that almost every woman has it. I found out most of my friends have it. It's crazy ! If you want to talk or have any more questions feel free to [contact] me :) My name is Brittany.
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December 19, 2010 - 8:11amThis Comment
Hey everyone,
I am at home visiting my family for the first time this year and the doctor called me and told me I had " a high risk abnormal pap" I am 21, and i have no clue what this means and I am now googling...and freaking myself out. I have had only had one other partner besides mine now....I DONT GET IT! Does this mean I have cancer?
December 19, 2010 - 12:23amThis Comment
I am so sorry you are scared, but it is important to educate yourself on what the various results could mean. The above links provided include very useful information that explain what abnormal paps indicate, and a high risk abnormal pap says that abnormal cells were found and they may or may not be pre-cancerous; most of the time they are benign, but please review the information above so you know the various treatment options!
December 19, 2010 - 8:27pmThis Comment
Thanks for sharing your question. I also know a bit about Pap and HPV testing having done them myself for years and dealt with a combination of results. The truth is, according to medical guidelines, doctors shouldnt even run HPV tests on women under 30. That is simply because the HPV virus is SO prevalent. Most sexually active women will be exposed to it...yet most - particularly young, healthy women - will clear it via their own natural immune system. As such, guidelines from groups like the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology suggest to doctors that they begin HPV testing women who are age 30 and older (see article @ guidelines: http://obgmanagement.com/article_pages.asp?AID=8448&UID= )
However, you now have your results. Your doctor sounds like he/she is pretty proactive/aggressive. However, at your age it may be okay for watchful waiting. Ie, go back and re-test in 6-12 months rather than going through a colposcopy. See if your body successfully fights off the HPV infection, and if it doesnt, then go for the colposcopy.
The CDC also has some good information on Pap/HPV test results and follow-up, below. Good luck!
http://www.cdc.gov/hpv/Screening.html
October 18, 2010 - 11:39amhttp://www.cdc.gov/cancer/hpv/pdf/hpv_brochure_ENG_2010.pdf
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Thanks for the great relpy! I actually had my colposcope already and they biopsied a tiny spot that looked abnormal but it came back 100% perfect thank goodness. So, I'll be back in 6 months for another pap. I can't believe how common Hpv is!!! My doc said 95% of women have it. That's insane! Oh the joys of being a female. :)
October 18, 2010 - 2:33pmThis Comment
Hi Brittanykayy,
September 7, 2010 - 9:27amThank you for your question, and for finding EmpowHER. When I was 30 years old, I had a similar test result. It was very scary, until I educated myself about HPV and cervical dysplasia.
I've located some information for you, hope it helps:
Decoding test results - http://www.thehpvtest.com/getting-the-test/what-your-test-results-mean/under-30/
Cervical Dysplasia - https://www.empowher.com/condition/cervical-dysplasia
Let us know how else we can help. Good luck and let us know how you're doing.
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