Eight years ago, I went in for a prenatal exam. I also had a pap smear since it had been a year since I last had one. The following week, I received the news. The results came back abnormal. I was told that it meant I had HPV and that we would follow up after the baby was born. For the next 8 months, I panicked and wondered what it all meant. My questions went unanswered at the doctor office. I switched doctors after I delivered because we moved out of town. When my post postpartum pap smear came back abnormal, I asked that they proceed with treatment instead of waiting. The doctor thought it best we just repeat pap smear in another 3 months. So I waited. February 2004, I had a LEEP performed that removed most of my cervix. Why? Because doctors chose not to include me in my treatment plan and diagnosis.

In 2004, I moved to Utah and found my current doctor. After his initial exam, he sent for my records. That was when I was told that they had to remove most of my cervix due to high grade dysplasia. Since that exam, we have been nervous about having healthy full term pregnancies and growing our family. As you know, I have went on to have 3 beautiful and healthy children. I continue to have abnormal pap smears over the years but with close doctor supervision, I have been blessed not to have any further invasive treatments done.

The HPV vaccine is available for girls and women from 9-26 but what about other women? There are still ways to protect yourself from cervical cancer even if you can’t get the HPV vaccine. The two tools that are readily available are:

• Pap Test is a screening test used in gynecology to detect premalignant and malignant (cancerous) changes in the cervix. Pap testing should begin at age 21.
• HPV Test is a test that is conducted from the same sample as the Pap test. It identifies women with high-risk HPV infections that can cause cervical cancer.

The HPV test increases the ability to identify who is at risk of developing cervical cancer in women 30 and over. When you go into your next pap test, be proactive and ask your doctor for the digene HPV test in addition to your regular tests. Why not?? They aren’t taking any other blood or samples. It’s from the same sample so there is no reason not to ask.

If both tests come back normal, you might not need them repeated for 3 years. Consult with your gynecologist further on frequency of testing. If either of the tests come back abnormal, it enables your doctor to monitor and treat anything that needs to be treated. This can help you prevent cervical cancer from developing. Keep in mind that HPV testing isn’t completely necessary for women under the age of 30. HPV infections in younger women tend to go away on their own. If you are under 30 and have an abnormal pap test, the best thing to do is to discuss the best option with your doctor.

In addition to talking to your doctor about your options, prepare and educate yourself. The digene HPV test site has a lot of useful information. The web site’s focus is on early detection and prevention of cervical cancer through HPV screening. It includes survivor stories, insurance information, and a lot of valuable resources. So I want you to schedule your annual exam today if it’s getting close or overdue! Check out the site and go to your exam prepared. Then remind all your friends and family members to get their own exams and tests today!

“I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central on behalf of the QIAGEN digene HPV test. Mom Central also sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.”