Hi everyone
I was diagnosed with cancer in my tongue (squamous cel carcinoma) and completed my treatment in January 2021. Fortunately I am still cancer free and feel very grateful to have survived even though I do now have some long term symptoms from radiotherapy.
One of the effects of my cancer was me re thinking my life and what is important to me and sadly my long term relationship ended partly as a result of this almost 2 years ago.
I am now starting to think about dating again but am worried about the potential of having to tell people about my HPV status (it was this that caused my cancer). I feel it's important that people should know about this and how common it is because even my GP was not aware of the symptoms that I had being connected (lump in my neck).
But I'm worried it will put off potential 'suitors'.
Is there any way if we can find out if the HPV virus is still 'live' in us - are we able to still pass it on to others? I know that a high percentage of people have HPV in their system anyway (I think over 80% in the USA ?) but it would still be helpful for me to know where I stand on this if possible.
Thank you.
Hi SLJ65
I have read of saliva tests for HPV in the USA but don’t know about availability here. It’s a question you should ask your oncologist.
It’s likely you have been carrying the virus around for years
Dani
Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019
I wrote a blog about my cancer. just click on the link below
https://todaymycoffeetasteslikechristmasincostarica.com
As I understand it….. everyone will get HPV at sometime in their life,
And there are over 150 strains of it with 14 being high risk
Dani
Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019
I wrote a blog about my cancer. just click on the link below
https://todaymycoffeetasteslikechristmasincostarica.com
