You may have heard of the virus called `(HPV)`. Perhaps your doctor has also told you about this `(HPV test)`. In fact, this may seem like a bit of a new thing to many people. Therefore, today we will talk about very important things like what this `(HPV test)` is, how it is done, and what the results mean in a very simple way that you can understand. There is nothing to be afraid of , this is a very important test that will help you protect your health.
What exactly is the HPV virus?
Simply put, HPV stands for Human Papillomavirus . It is considered a sexually transmitted infection (STI). This means that it is spread through skin-to-skin contact. It is a very common, yet somewhat complex virus.
Just think, there are over 100 types of this `(HPV)` virus! Some types can cause things like warts on your hands, legs, and face. There are about 30 other types that can affect your genitals. Some of these harmless types can cause genital warts. However, of these `(HPV)` types, only a few `(high-risk)` types cause cervical cancer. Those are the high-risk types that the `(HPV) test looks for. In particular, the two main types that cause cancer, `(HPV 16)` and `(HPV 18)`, can be identified with this test.
Most of the time, a healthy body can fight off most of these HPV infections within a few years. However, sometimes, if these high-risk types persist in the body, over time, abnormal changes in the cells of the cervix, called precancerous conditions (cervical dysplasia), can occur. This condition can later develop into cervical cancer. In fact, about ninety-nine percent of cervical cancers are caused by these high-risk HPV infections. That's why it's so important to get tested for high-risk HPV early.
Currently, the HPV test is only available for people with a cervix. There is currently no HPV test for men.
When should I get an HPV test?
You may need to get an HPV test if:
- If you have a cervix and you are between 30 and 65 years old: Reputable medical organizations like the American Cancer Society recommend that people in this age group get a regular HPV test.
- If your Pap smear shows abnormalities: If a Pap smear shows abnormalities in your cervical cells, an HPV test can help determine whether the cause is a high-risk HPV infection.
- If you have oropharyngeal cancer: The main cause of this type of throat cancer is high-risk HPV (especially HPV 16). This can be spread through oral sex. Knowing the cause of the cancer can help your doctor choose the best treatment for you. HPV-related throat cancers have a higher chance of being cured than non-HPV-related throat cancers.
The important thing is that if your HPV test results are normal, you will usually only need to get tested again every five years. However, if you have had an HPV infection before, or if you have a condition that weakens your immune system, such as HIV, you may need to get tested more often. This is because a weakened immune system can have a harder time fighting off infections like HPV.
How is this HPV test done?
Many people think of an HPV test as a big test that you do in a gynecologist's office. But, it's actually a lab test. Here's what happens: A doctor takes a sample of cells or tissue from your cervix, and a pathologist examines it in a lab to see if it contains HPV DNA. That is, they look for the presence of the HPV virus, and if so, what type it is.
There are several methods doctors use to obtain this sample:
Pap smear and HPV test
This is the most common method. A Pap smear is a test that takes a small sample of cells from your cervix and looks for precancerous changes or cancer cells. Often, an HPV test is also done at the same time as the Pap smear. We call this an HPV/Pap co-test . The pathologist then looks at the Pap smear for cancerous cells and the HPV test for HPV DNA at the same time.
Cervical biopsy
If your Pap test results are abnormal, you may need to have a cervical biopsy . This is when a doctor takes a small piece of tissue from your cervix and checks it for high-risk HPV, precancerous cells, or cancer cells. Sometimes this is done at the same time as a colposcopy . A colposcopy is a special microscope that looks at the cervix under high magnification to check for any problems.
What surprises many people is that routine STI tests do not look for HPV. The main way to get a sample for an HPV test is through a Pap test.
How should you prepare before an HPV test?
You should prepare for this test in the same way you would for a regular Pap test. It's important to avoid things that could affect the accuracy of the test. So keep these things in mind:
- You should schedule the test at least five days after your period ends.
- Avoid vaginal intercourse for at least two days before the test.
- Do not use tampons, vaginal creams or medications, birth control foams or jellies, lubricants, or douches for at least two days before the test.
Maybe if the doctor is doing something like a biopsy along with the HPV test, he/she can give you some additional instructions. He/she will tell you about that.
What happens during the test?
This is like having a Pap smear. You will be asked to lie on your back on an examination table, spread your legs apart, and place them in stirrups. Then the doctor will:
- A device called a speculum is slowly inserted into your vagina, widening it slightly so that your cervix can be clearly seen. You may feel a slight squeezing sensation during this procedure. To reduce this discomfort, you can ask your doctor to use the smallest speculum possible.
- Then, using a small instrument called a spatula and a soft brush , they will scrape and collect some cells from the surface of your cervix.
- Finally, the collected sample is prepared to be sent to the laboratory.
If you're having a colposcopy or biopsy, there may be a few more steps involved. But the main thing is that a doctor will look at your cervix and take some cells or tissue from there.
The real test comes later, when a pathologist checks the sample in the lab for HPV DNA.
What do the test results say?
Your test result can be Positive or Negative . This result will determine what you need to do next.
What if I become HPV Positive (+ve)?
A positive HPV test means that you have a type of HPV that increases your risk of developing cervical cancer . This means that you have a "high-risk" HPV.
This does not mean that you already have cervical cancer. It is just a risk factor. Even if you have a high-risk type of HPV, you may never develop cervical cancer. Your body can fight off the infection and get rid of it. Or, HPV can cause healthy cells to become cancerous.
However, once you get a positive result, your doctor can decide how often you should be tested again and whether to check for abnormal tissue. If precancerous changes are found, the tissue can be surgically removed. This can help prevent you from developing cervical cancer.
The next steps you take may vary depending on your situation. For example, your doctor may recommend the following:
- Get tested again in a year to see if the infection is gone.
- Have additional tests, such as a colposcopy or cervical biopsy, to check for cancer cells.
- Take steps to protect your sexual partner(s) from infection. (If your partner also has a cervix, it's a good idea to get tested for it too.)
What if I am HPV Negative (-ve)?
A negative HPV test means that you do not have the high-risk HPV type . If so, you will probably need to get another HPV test in about five years. If you haven't already, you may want to consider getting the HPV vaccine . This series of vaccines can protect you from many high-risk HPV types that you may not have been exposed to.
Can HPV test results change over time?
Yes, it definitely can. That's why it's a good idea to get an HPV test done regularly . You could test positive today and then test negative again a few years later. That means your body has successfully fought off the infection. Or, you could test negative today and test positive five years later because you were exposed to the virus.
HPV is actually very common. To stay cancer-free, it's important to stay on top of your condition.
Can a routine sexually transmitted disease (STI) test pick up HPV?
No. Most of the time, routine STI tests look for common STIs by testing blood or other body fluids. HPV is not included in these tests. This is because HPV tests look for DNA in cells taken directly from your cervix.
The only way to know if you have HPV is to have either an HPV test or a Pap/HPV co-test.
Is there an HPV test for men?
There is currently no approved HPV test for men. HPV-related cancers that can affect men, such as penile cancer and anal cancer, are not as common as cervical cancer. However, men can still pass on both low-risk and high-risk HPV types to their partners (regardless of gender).
Some doctors perform anal Pap smears, which can detect anal cancer or precancerous conditions. If you think you may be at risk, talk to your doctor.
Can a man know if he has HPV?
Warts anywhere on the body, including the penis and scrotum, are a sign of HPV infection. Currently, there is no FDA-approved test to detect HPV anywhere on the body except the cervix.
This is what you need to remember...
An HPV test is important to detect HPV infections before they develop into cancer cells. If you have a cervix and are between the ages of 30 and 65, it is important to have regular Pap tests, HPV tests, or co-tests. Your doctor will advise you on which tests you need.
Remember, being HPV positive is nothing to be ashamed of. Most people will develop it at some point in their lives. However, not getting tested regularly can put your health at risk. Make HPV testing part of your regular health care and wellness plan. Then you can stay healthy and happy!
` HPV test, cervical cancer, Pap test, sexually transmitted diseases, HPV virus, women's health, cancer prevention
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