Let's talk about HPV

5 minute read time.

"Let's talk about HPV" written in white and red underneath a picture of a white table with red chairs.

After last week’s Cervical screening awareness blog ‘Overcoming smear fear with the Online Community’, we wanted to talk about the human papilloma viruses (more commonly known as HPV). HPV can be detected in cervical and anal screenings and today we’re highlighting some of the most recently asked questions about here on the Community. If you need more information, please visit the Macmillan website here or get in touch with the Macmillan Support Line by calling 0808 808 00 00, emailing or using live webchat during the hours of 8am-8pm.

When you have been for a cervical or anal screening test, understanding the test results can sometimes be confusing because of the language used, or it not being clear what is going to happen next. Members turn to each other on the Community to support one another and to get some guidance.

“I recently had my first ‘control’ cervical screening and wasn’t really expecting anything bad to come out of it. However, I received my results and I’m HPV18 positive and they found abnormal cells. I have an appointment sorted for colposcopy and I can’t stress enough how many times I’ve seen “abnormal cells does not mean you have cancer”. And I completely understand and appreciate that. I am however naturally a really worries individual and I can’t help but to worry.” Olaxch, Cervical cancer forum
 

“I have received a letter with results from my smear saying I have high-risk HPV and they've seen changes in my cells. I'm awaiting my colposcopy appointment.”Shell82Cervical cancer forum

What is HPV?

HPV is regularly tested during cervical cancer screening and can also be picked up in anal cancer screenings. Most types of HPV are not linked to cancer, but some types of high-risk HPV can increase the risk.

The human papilloma viruses can be the cause of the following cancers:

Most people affected by high-risk HPV will not develop cancer. Usually the body’s immune system gets rid of the virus naturally. For some people, the immune system does not clear the infection, and if the virus stays in the body for longer, it may cause damage to cells. Over a long time, these abnormal cell changes may develop into cancer.

The human papilloma viruses (HPVs) are a group of common infections. They can affect the skin and the moist lining inside parts of the body (mucous membranes). They commonly affect areas such as inside the mouth, throat, genital area or anus.

There are more than 100 types of HPV. Some cause warts and verrucas. Others increase the risk of developing different types of cancer. These types are called high-risk HPV.

Most people have HPV at some point in their life. Usually the virus causes no harm and there are no symptoms, so you may not even know you have it.

If you’re looking for more information, the Macmillan website has more detailed information, click this link to read more.

Worried about spreading HPV to your partner? 

When you’re told that you have HPV it is natural to worry about passing this onto sexual partners through sexual contact and oral sex. HPV is a very common virus. Between 80 and 100% of people will have it at some point in their life.

HPV has no symptoms and our immune system usually gets rid of it without it causing any problems. However, it can lie dormant in your system and become active again years later. Unfortunately, doctors don’t know why this happens. It is thought that our bodies don’t have a very good immunity to any strain of HPV. So, if it did come back it might not necessarily be the high risk one again, it could be one of the low risk ones. It could come and go without causing you any problems, and you would never know you’d had it.

Recently asked question about HPV

If you have questions and are looking for some more information, there are people you can speak to. The below questions have recently been asked to our Nurses in the Ask a Nurse section so you may find the answers you’re looking for by clicking through to the Nurses replies.

“Hello.  I have a High Risk HPV virus which my doctor thinks is most likely either strain 16 or 18.  My partner and I are concerned that if I manage to get rid of this, I may have passed it to him and then he may pass it back to me.  Once you have had a certain strain of the virus and fight it off, can you get it again?”TW1, Ask a Nurse

 See the Nurses response by clicking here.

“Hi, i am currently waiting for a diagnosis but have been warned of the potential for tongue cancer caused by HPV, I would like to ask for some advice that will hopefully put my wife's mind at rest as to how I may have become infected - is it more the case that many people carry HPV and just fight it off before it turns nasty, and that it just a small minority of unfortunate ones that it turns into something more sinister? We have been together for 15 years and have not had any other partners, during that time.Also should we be avoiding oral sex for the foreseeable future , or longer....(we have obviously stopped right now)”Ashgate, Ask a Nurse

See the Nurses response by clicking here.

“Hello, I hope you're the right person to ask this question to and no problem if you don't know an answer! I've been on annual smear tests now for five years. My first one was abnormal and a colposcopy was required. The subsequent three were normal then my most recent was abnormal again so I had another colposcopy. I've had HPV present and currently it's high risk. Can I ask my doctor to find out what type of HPV it is and my likelihood of cancer? Can I get any advice on lifestyle tips etc to help it go away?”LEW2021, Ask a Nurse

See the Nurses response by clicking here.

Members of the Online Community are here to help each other and you may find posting in one of the Community groups helpful if you have questions about HPV or need some emotional support processing a diagnosis.  

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