Do You Have HPV?

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OK! Magazine

Monday May 1, 2006 - 20 million Americans do. Here's what you need to know about this cancer-causing STD Surely you've heard that you're supposed to get a Pap smear regularly in order to screen for cervical cancer - whether your doctor told you, your mom advised it or you read it previously in this column in OK!.

But did you realize that there is a common sexually transmitted virus that causes cervical cancer - and there are things you can do to prevent it? It's true, The virus, called the human papillomavirus (HPV), will affect eight out of 10 sexually active women at some point in their lives. But it doesn't need to lead to cervical cancer. Read on to learn how you can protect yourself.

KNOW THE FACTS
HPV spreads through sexual contact. There are numerous strains of the virus, some of which cause genital warts and some that cause no symptoms at all. Several strains, however, particularly HPV 16 and 18, which show no obvious symptoms, can cause changes in cells of the cervix - and in some cases can lead to cancer. Since HPV is sexually transmitted, it doesn't take a genius to figure out that the more sexual partners you have, the more likely you are to contract it. Wearing a condom helps, of course, but in many cases it doesn't offer complete protection against the virus. To reduce your risk, keep sexual partners to a minimum.

GET SCREENED
To stay on top of your HPV status, get routine Pap smears. For the simple test, your doctor takes a swab of cells from your cervix, and a technician looks at the cells through a microscope to detect whether or not there are any changes. "If you're under 30 and the test shows abnormalities, your doctor should order an HPV test," says Dr. Mark DeFrancesco, an ob-gyn and chief medical officer for Women's Health Connecticut. "If you're 30 or older, you should automatically ask for an HPV test when you have your Pap smear because if HPV is found in women 30 and up, it's more likely to be a persistent strain," says Dr. DeFrancesco. What happens if tests reveal that you have HPV? "In almost all circumstances we're able to treat it and prevent cervical cancer because of early detection," says Dr. Rebecca N. Starck, an ob-gyn with the Cleveland Clinic Health System and advisor for the Make the Connection campaign, which raises awareness for the link between HPV and cervical cancer. Elisabeth Rohm, a celebrity spokesperson for the campaign, adds: "Surprisingly, women don't realize that the majority of cervical cancer cases can be prevented by early detection." In the event that you are diagnosed with HPV, your doctor will want to screen you more frequently. The good news is that most women clear or fight off the virus on their own after about two years. Still, it's important that your doctor monitor you to be sure the virus doesn't lead to cancer.

BE HONEST WITH YOUR DOCTOR
Don't be shy about asking your doctor about HPV. "I'm a huge advocate of being really open and not being embarrassed," says Elisabeth. "Talk to your doctor about your specific case," says Dr. Elizabeth Gunther Stewart, ob-gyn and author of The V Book: A Doctor's Guide to Complete Vulvovaginal Health. "Be up front with your doctor about what you're doing with your life and if you're sexually active," she says. This can help your doctor determine how frequently you need to be screened. "Keep in mind that a single normal Pap test is good but it's not as good as several normal tests in a row from year to year, so get regular screenings," says Dr. Stewart.

Also, ask your doctor about the status of the HPV vaccine. Two drugs are being developed to guard against HPV. "They have done a couple of clinical trials and hope to bring the vaccine out at the end of 2006," says Dr. Stewart, It may soon be another means you will have to protect yourself, so be on the lookout for it.

REDUCE YOUR RISK
Puffing on cigarettes affects your overall health, not just your lungs. "Smoking is associated with an increased risk for cervical cancer, so there's on more reason not to smoke," says Dr. DeFrancesco. And if you have a family history of cervical cancer or you've been diagnosed with HPV, it's especially important that you kick the habit. Dr. Starck agrees: "Factors such as smoking and nutrition can affect your ability to fight and clear any virus," she says. The bottom line: Live a healthy life and check in with your doctor frequently. As Elisabeth says: "Be aware of your body, be comfortable talking about it, tell your friends about HPV, talk to your medical professionals, get regular Pap smears, and catch HPV before it catches you."