HPV status after diagnosis and treatment

Hello Jenna

Please don't worry - about 80% of the population has or had the virus according to statistics.  In some people it never causes any harm, in others they go on to develop cervical cancer or abnormal cells and others anal cancer.  I had both, not cancer but a conical biopsy many years ago when a smear test showed I had CIN III in situ, no treatment or checks for many years except standard smears and then anal cancer.  My husband hasn't been affected at all, that we know of.  The virus (I believe) only shows up when active.  It isn't something that we felt the need to talk about, I may have had it or he may have given it to me, but it doesn't worry either of us.

Keep a very open mind, you will be checked regularly for the next five years.  And your treating team may be open to giving you the vaccine https://www.analcancerfoundation.org/what-is-anal-cancer/hpv-vaccine/ but I am not medically qualified so don't count on that!  Another forum member was told by her oncologist that following treatment for anal cancer and being clear for three years the chances of it developing again were the same as the oncologist's.

You are not alone in your worries - not alway about the same issues but the memory of the absolute shock of that cancer diagnosis certainly lives on.

Big hug, Jenna

Irene xx