HPV is a topic that is often discussed among many women, but some are a little afraid of it. Perhaps your doctor has also told you to take this HPV test. So what exactly is HPV? Why is this test so important to us? Without being afraid of anything, let's talk about this clearly and simply.
Simply put, what is HPV?
HPV is the short name for Human Papillomavirus. This is a very common group of viruses. Just like the common cold, this virus is also very common in society.
This is classified as a Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI). But don't worry, this doesn't mean you've done anything wrong. It can be spread through skin-to-skin contact, so anyone who is sexually active is at high risk of contracting this virus at some point in their life.
Just think, there are more than 100 types of this HPV virus family.
- Some types cause common warts that form on our hands and feet.
- Some other types cause genital warts.
- But we need to focus on a few of these types, which are called "high-risk." Because about 99% of cervical cancers are caused by infection with these high-risk HPV types. In particular, two types , HPV 16 and HPV 18, are the main culprits.
The good news is that our immune system can usually fight off most HPV infections within a few years. But sometimes this high-risk virus can persist in the body, causing abnormal changes in the cells of the cervix (cervical dysplasia), which can eventually turn into cancer. That's what HPV testing can help us stop.
Who should get the HPV test? When?
Not everyone needs this test. Doctors usually recommend it in cases like this.
| Opportunity | Description |
|---|---|
| Women aged 30-65 years | If you have a cervix, continuing to get HPV testing at this age is the best way to protect yourself from cervical cancer. |
| If there is an abnormality in the Pap smear | If your Pap test shows any changes in your cervical cells, this test is done to confirm whether the cause is high-risk HPV. |
| If you have oropharyngeal cancer | Some types of throat cancer can also be caused by viruses like HPV 16. Knowing whether HPV is the cause of the cancer can help plan treatment. |
If your HPV test results are negative, meaning you don't have the virus, your next test should usually be done in about 5 years . However, if you've had a previous HPV infection or have a condition that weakens your immune system, such as HIV, your doctor may tell you to get tested sooner.
How is this HPV test done?
Many people think of HPV testing as something complicated that you have to do at a gynecologist's office. But what actually happens is that your doctor takes a sample of cells from your cervix and sends it to a lab. The lab tests those cells for the presence of HPV DNA.
There are two main ways to obtain this cell sample:
1. Pap Smear: Often, the HPV test is done at the same time as the Pap test. This is also called an HPV/Pap co-test . In this, the doctor does both the Pap test (to check for cancerous or precancerous cells) and the HPV test (to check for high-risk types of HPV) on the same sample.
2. Cervical Biopsy: If the results of a Pap test are abnormal, your doctor may want to examine your cervix more closely. A colposcopy is a special microscope that examines your cervix and takes a small piece of tissue from a suspicious area and sends it for testing.
Do you need to prepare before the test?
Yes, a little preparation is needed. These things are important to get accurate results.
- Set a date for the test at least 5 days after your period ends.
- Avoid having sex for two days before the test.
- Also, do not use anything that is inserted into the vagina (tampons, creams, birth control jelly/foam, lubricants, or douches) for two days before the test.
What do the results really say? Should we be afraid?
This is the most important part. The result you get can be either positive or negative. It is very important to understand exactly what these two results mean.
| Result | Meaning and what to do |
|---|---|
| Positive | Meaning: It means you have a high-risk type of HPV that can cause cervical cancer. The most important thing: This does not mean that you have cancer. It just means that there is a risk of developing cancer, so we need to be aware of it. What to do next? Your doctor will advise you:
|
| Negative | Meaning: You don't have a high-risk type of HPV in your body. This is very good news. What to do next?
|
Don't men get HPV? Don't they get tested?
This is a question that many people ask. Yes, men can get HPV, and they can pass it on to others. However, there is currently no approved HPV test for men. This is because HPV-related cancers (such as anal cancer and penile cancer) are much less common in women than cervical cancer.
One sign that a man may have HPV is the appearance of warts in the genital area or elsewhere.
Most importantly, the HPV vaccine is equally important for girls and boys. It protects against the types of HPV that are the main cause of cervical cancer.
Take-Home Message
- HPV is a very common virus. Having an HPV infection is nothing to be ashamed of.
- The best way to protect yourself from cervical cancer is to get regular Pap and HPV tests.
- A positive HPV test does not mean you have cancer. It means we identified the risk early, so we have a chance to treat it before it develops into cancer.
- If you have any questions about your test results, what to do next, or the HPV vaccine, don't hesitate to talk to your doctor.
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