WOMENS-HEALTH Messages for June, 1999: Re: precancerous cervix

Re: precancerous cervix

From: William D. McIntosh, MD (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Fri, 4 Jun 1999 15:24:01 -0500 (CDT)

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At Fri, 4 Jun 1999, Mikki wrote: >
>Cervical cancer runs in my family. I had cryosurgery over 2 years ago
>for cervical cancer. At the time I was 19 years old. Is this common at
>such a young age?
>My doctor also put me on birth control pills at the time, and I was told
>this would help keep me from getting the same problem again. Since it
>has been 2 years since the surgery with no sign of any recurrance, could
>I safely go off of the pill? Do I still need to have pap smears so
>often? (Right now I go twice a year.)

Cervical cancer is not an inheritable cancer, so you can relax with regards to your family history. I am going to assume that you mean that you had dysplasia treated with cryosurgery, as this is NOT a treatment for cervical cancer.

Precancerous lesions of the cervix are associated with a virus, the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). Virtually everyone who has ever had sex has this virus, and once contracted, the virus remains in the body for ever. There are even reports of some virgins having this virus. Since the virus never goes away, the risk remains for life, though most women will never have a problem.

The birth control pill has no effect whatsoever on this problem, so whether or not you take them is irrelevant.

If you have 3 sequential pap smears that are "normal", then you are considered to have no more risk that the general population, and can return to yearly pap smears.

-- William D. McIntosh, MD Clarksville, TN

This is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to replace consultation and examination by your physician or other health care provider.

Next message: Barbara: "Alternative treatments for vaginal dryness?"
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