The human papillomavirus can cause cervical cancer, but it takes years to do so.
This can happen even if you were vaccinated against HPV.
I had the vaccine, but have had abnormal paps more than once.
(The first time wasfive years ago.
Thevirus can lie dormant in your bodyfor up to sixteen years before revealing any abnormal cells or symptoms.
Moreover, HPV can persist and recur,according to Clinical Advisor.
Your cervical cancer screening may include a Pap test, an HPV test, or both.
Low grade squamous lesions: These aremild abnormal cell changeson your cervix.
Most of the time, your bodycan defeat this HPV infectionon its own.
Squamous cell carcinoma: This iscervical cancer that is found deep in the cervixand in other organs or tissue.
Most physicians do not find cervical cancer during a Pap alone.
Your doctor will apply a vinegar-like solution to the area on your cervix which will highlight the problem area.
For the majority of people, your cells will return back to normal.
For others, further testing and procedures are involved.
However, dangerous strains do exist and do, in fact, lead to cervical cancer.
What happens to people who dont heal, whose bodies dont clear up the infection?
Cryotherapywhich is when abnormal tissue is removed by freezing it off.
Laser therapywhere a narrow beam of light destroys or removes abnormal cells.
Conizationwhich utilizes a knife, laser, or electrical current to remove a cone-shaped piece of tissue.
Does an Abnormal Pap Mean You Have Cancer?
The good news is a resounding noan abnormal result does not immediately indicate cervical cancer.
Cervical cancer takes years to form as its aslow moving cancer.
Once theyve found abnormal cells, youll be asked to come in every six months to a year.
I came back for two biopsies after my first initial Pap results informed me of the abnormal cells.
After the second result, I was asked to come in for anexcision procedure called a LEEP.
The LEEP is done at the gynecologists office.
First, the doctor applies a numbing solution to reduce any discomfort.
The procedure takes approximately ten minutes and mild bleeding should follow.
To prevent infection, nothing should go into the vagina this includes intercourse and tampons for six weeks.
Approximately12,900 women are diagnosed with cervical cancereach year, and 4,400 die.
