Re: Human Papilloma Virus
From: Barbara (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Tue, 27 Oct 1998 11:14:30 -0600 (CST)
Dr. Marchbein:
I'm curious as to why you think there's no medical value to testing for
HPV...I heard this same thing from my gyn-oncologist this past summer (I
had a partial vulvectomy due to VIN III).
I was told that "probably three out of every four women" have the virus
and that there were certain "reactors" which may kick it off, one of
which is smoking. I was also told that because I've never showed any
symptoms of genital warts (I've had a pap and exam every year for the
last 18 years), that I probably have not had genital warts.
I quit smoking three weeks after the surgery. Three months after the
surgery I'm sitting here feeling that familiar itching and burning in
that area. So much for quitting smoking (although I do not plan to
start again).
Please don't feel that I'm "slamming" you personally...but I'm really
beginning to wonder if the medical profession really knows very much at
all about this virus?
At Mon, 26 Oct 1998, Harvey S. Marchbein, M.D. wrote:
>
>At Mon, 26 Oct 1998, Carol wrote:
>>
>>I would like some statistics on HPV. I recently found out that my
>>husband had genital warts 15 years ago after his first sexual
>>experience. That girl ended up having cervical cancer. Since I am both
>>worried about getting cancer and maintaining a normal life with my
>>husband, can anyone tell me:
>>1. What are the chances of him transmitting the virus to me, if he
>>hasn't had an outbreak of warts for 15 years,
>
>Small but not impossible after 15 years.
>
>>2. What percentage of women with HPV actually get cervical cancer,
>
>Very small since it has been estimated that 40% of the American public
>may have been exposed to or has antibodies to HPV (not sure I believe it
>but it's not my statistics).
>
>>3. Is there any way to know if I am carrying the virus if I don't have
>>warts and my pap smears are normal?
>
>Hybrid capture can be done with varying rates of success, but medically
>speaking (not emotionally speaking) ..why bother?
>
>>Any info would be very helpful! Thanks!
>
>--
>Harvey S. Marchbein, M.D. FACOG, FACS
>Great Neck, New York
>http://www.obgyn.net/states/bios/marchbein.htm
>http://www.obgyn.net/women/advisors/harveym.htm
>
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