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Hpv

Louiset19
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So I have tested positive for hpv for the past 3 years and I have had a colposcopy last month and it has came back cin 1 and I have been told that I have to wait a year to do another smear but cervical cancer runs in my mum’s side of the family and she passed away from it 4 years ago is there anything that can be done about it ? 

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    Hi I know this is a worrying time for you and the feeling of waiting and watching can be so frustrating but realistically there’s nothing anyone can do at the moment. The feeling of having HPV is scary but your body can clear it. You could go back next year and nothing abnormal be found and this does definitely happen. Believe me I understand how difficult it is and how your thoughts must be running away with you. On a positive note CIN 1 isn’t cancer and doesn’t necessarily lead to cancer. If it would help you to feel you’re doing something perhaps you could eat healthily and exercise to feel like you’re taking charge and giving your body the best chance. Having said that I don’t know anything about your fitness levels and maybe you already do this. I’m sorry to hear about the death of your mum. As far as I’m aware there’s no genetic link involved in cervical cancer - but remember you don’t have that, you have cell changes but you don’t have cancer. I wish you well.

  • Hi there and thanks for the post

    I am sorry to hear about your mum having passed from cervical cancer and appreciate how your abnormal result is now concerning you.

    The cervical screening programme is all about preventing cervical cancer and has strict procedures in place to ensure this happens.

    As I am sure you are aware it is high risk strains of HPV that are responsible for most abnormal cells to develop in the cervix. Over time these abnormal cells can sometimes turn into cancer but not always. In colposcopy they are able to view the cervix closely and take a biopsy of the abnormal cells to find out the type and severity of the cells.

    CIN 1 are the most common abnormal cells and these appear only slightly different to normal cells. In most cases CIN 1 won't need treating and the body's own immune system will clear them by themselves. This is why when CIN1 is detected it is normal to wait a year and then rescreen for changes.

    It is thought that it takes abnormal cells a number of years to turn into cancer and as I say CIN 1 often don't need treating. In a years time they will reassess the situation and if that point if the abnormal cells haven't cleared or have turned into CIN 2 or 3 they will remove them at that point.

    The important thing is that this has been picked up and you are being monitored to prevent cervical cancer. If you remain worried about this decision then do speak with the colposcopy department or GP to see what they have to say.

    All the best

    Naomi

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