I had a hysterectomy 5 years ago due to cervical cancer. I have not had any problems until recently. After noticing swolen lymph nodes I am back to the Dr for more testing. When I saw the Dr today as she was examining me she stated "you know that cervical cancer is caused by HPV" " A STD". I have been married to my husband and been faithful for 27 years. I assumed that he was faithful to me during that time also. My question is Can HPV lay dormant for this period of time without showing any signs? I had regular paps up until about 5 years prior to being diagnosed. Up until that time all paps came out normal. I was so emotional to think the cancer was back that I did not ask the Dr at the time of the visit. I am being sent for more tests and will not be back to see her for 10 days. Can anyone answer my question prior to this? Thank you for your help.
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Explore topics in this discussion:
Anxiety Cancer Hernia Surgery Hysterectomy Pain HPV Cervical cancer
7 replies
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- By dazednconfused
- Posted November 3, 2009 at 9:21 pm
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Hi Lydia -- Best wishes to you for good news with your upcoming screenings.
Others here probably have better info than me, but yes, almost all cervical cancers are caused by HPV. I don't know if there's a limit as to how long the infection can lie dormant, but I know it can be years and years. While there are stigmas attached to all STDs, HPV affects women from all walks of life. I think I read somewhere recently that the average number of partners it takes for an adult to encounter HPV is only 2.1! My ob/gyn said that 80% of sexually active adults have been exposed to HPV at some point. I highly suggest taking a good look through this site -- I bet you will find it helpful. Take care of yourself, and good luck!
- By flowershoplady
- Posted November 3, 2009 at 9:40 pm
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hi, lydia. i'm sorry to hear you're having a new health worry, and i hope you soon know what's going on so that you can move forward. have you been having regular paps and scans, etc since your cancer treatment? for now, i know the anxiety of 'not knowing' can be awful.
and, yes, hpv is the causative agent for most cervical cancers....it's the cause of all squamous cell cervical cancers and for all adenocarcinoma cervical cancers. there are rare cervical cancers that are not caused by hpv, less than .1% of cervical cancers.
i'm sorry that your first gynecologist didn't explain that cervical cancer is hpv related. you're not the first woman i've encountered that was not told that the cause of this cancer is known, and it's been known for a looong time, and definitely was basic knowledge amongst any gynecologist 5 years ago. and, certainly when you're diagnosed with cancer, the primary focus is the treatment, and getting you healthy and cancer free. but.....part of the doctor's responsibility is to educate his/her patient, and that includes explaining how this illness developed.
as dazenconfused posted, most women, over 80%, will have been exposed to the hp virus by the time they're 50 years old. as to why some women are unable to fight off the hpv infection while others can, that is not fully known, though there are factors that increase one's risk for developing cervical cancer. as for whether you were exposed to hpv 10 years prior to your diagnosis or 15, there's no way to know that for sure.
continue to learn about hpv so you can better understand this cancer and your health, and let us know how you're doing with your upcoming tests.
you're found a warm and supportive community....don't hesitate to reach out.
- By phoenix73
- Posted November 3, 2009 at 11:39 pm
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HPV can lay dormant for decades w/ NO symptoms. It is NOT a sign of infidelity! You can get it from having ONE partner (he just has to have it!)..you can get it from giving oral/recieving ( although lower risks/chance) It usually rears it's ugly head when your immune system weakens either from stress/illness/ age (our immune system weakens as we get older..naturally) If you had sex before your husband..you'll NEVER know who gave it to who..not that it matters now.
I'm sending you best wishes on your next test..keep us posted
- By Lydia321
- Posted November 4, 2009 at 6:28 am
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Thank you for your replies, this makes me feel better about how I might have contracted HPV. Both my husband and myself had parners prior to our marriage. I knew that I had been faithful, but the thought of him not being faithful on top of facing cancer for a second time was unbearable. Now I can look at him and we can face this together.
- By Lydia321
- Posted November 17, 2009 at 8:37 am
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Just returned from the DR with my Pet scan results, every thing came out clear, although I have a kidney stone. Nothing to worry about. From there I went back to my Gyn to see what the pain and lump were and she said that it was a femeral hernia. So I will end up having surgery after all, but not for cancer, what a relief. I also questioned the HPV and how long it could lay dormant in your body, she stated that my cancer was not caused by HPV, that there were 2 different types of cervical cancer and mine was not caused by the HPV virus. Now why would Moffitt cancer center that specilizes in cancer get me all worked up over this and not fully explain it to me. I have been a basket case first thinking that I my cancer had come back and then that my husband had an affair and given me the HPV virus. I guess I can take a deep breath of relief
- By flowershoplady
- Posted November 17, 2009 at 10:35 am
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lydia, i think this recent doctor may have given you incorrect info....the most common type of cervical cancer is squamous and the second most common is adenocarcinoma, and these are both caused by hpv. the two types of cervical cancers that most doctors would be referring to. there are also rare cancers, and you would have been told if it were rare, needed special treatments, etc, then you have/had an hpv related cancer. the cancer center doctor gave you accurate info.
sorry to hear you need hernia repair surgery and wish you the best in the surgery and recovery.
- By inatizzy
- Posted November 17, 2009 at 12:46 pm
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Glad you got great results. What a relief.
In my case, my HPV infection was dormant for many, many years. My husband and I had been together and faithful for 18 years when I found out I had it. No big deal - it happens. We focused on curing the dysplasia.
Best to you! :)
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