01/09/2025
Your doctor’s office called you and informed you that your recent Pap test had a positive HPV result on it — now what? Human Papilloma Virus, a SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED virus, is the leading cause of cervical cancer and dysplasia and is very common, which is why we screen for it on pap smears. However, a positive HPV result does NOT mean you are going to develop cervical cancer. Over 80% of sexually active adults are exposed to this virus with a smaller percentage that proceed to develop cancer. There are many low-risk strains of the virus and 90% of cases are cleared by the body’s immune system within a two-year period, but it is important to be monitored through appropriate follow-up testing during that period. Using condoms is always recommended and receiving the Gardasil-9 vaccine is a good way to prevent such HPV related cancers — please note that since HPV is sexually transmitted, it can also cause oral & re**al cancers on top of cervical and vulvo-vaginal, so it is important to maintain adequate health screenings with all relevant providers.
