HPV don't live here!

For today's blog, I thought I would share some of the knowledge I have learned along the way about cervical cancer. There are no new developments so far in my treatment since I wrote yesterday so this seems like a good time for a little lesson. :-)

Now, forgive me as this is second hand information from the 4 oncologists and 1 gynecologist but since all of them say basically the same thing, I take it as valid information.

According to my doctors (and statistics) about 90-95% of cervical cancers are caused by abnormal cell development on the cervix. Most of this is caused by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) and you can't throw a rock without hitting 5 people with it in our age group these days. Luckily, HPV is detectable by routine PAP smears which look for abnormal cell development and can easily be treated if precancerous or cancerous cells appear on your cervix. So, there are very good reasons for having your routine PAP.

Now, I consider myself a good patient....have had about 12 PAP smears in my lifetime, every year like a good girl. I have never been diagnosed with HPV nor have I ever had an abnormal PAP. So where did my cervical cancer come from????? Great question. My cancer is what is called a "true cancer" (that other 5-10% of cervical cancers) that begins with "anarchist cells" that group together to form a tumor. It is undetectable through normal PAP smears and they would not test a 29-year old, healthy young woman with no family history of cancer for this. The most widely used answers to the big WHY? 1. a dormant gene or 2. we have no idea. The second is the problem and most frustrating thing about cancer because most don't have an identified origin.

So, my health tip for you all out there (and especially those with a cervix) is to LISTEN TO YOUR BODY....if something doesn't feel right in your gut, bones or anywhere...have it checked out. It may be scary but the sooner cancer is caught, the better the prognosis. I actually consider myself somewhat lucky that the "squatter" is where he is because my body was able to tell me there was something wrong.

Tomorrow's plans: more organic foods, fertility ultrasound and beginning of the hormone shots!! Yeah, more needles please!

Love, Hugs and Good Health!