HPV vaccine

[CremeDeSudo]

I don't know a lot about this, so possibly a silly question...but we have smear tests. Occasionally they come back with abnormal changes or worse. Why not vaccinate those this applies to?

I've had cervical cancer (1a) which was removed during the initial LLETZ procedure. I also had a cone biopsy which came back all clear. I've got to have a hysterectomy in the near future because once I've had cervical cancer I'm 80% more likely to get it again. Why not just vaccinate me?

Bump

Bump!

I think it's because cells develop after a certain age - and if you don't vaccinate before that then the vaccination wouldn't be effective. That why teen girls only are eligible for vaccine

Hi, I don’t have personal experience but it sounds like a good question to ask your consultant. I know the vaccine doesn’t cover all types of the virus could this be a factor? Can they identify specifically what caused your particular case? Hope so good luck to you.

I'm going to ask at my next appt but I thought someone might know. I wondered if it might be because I've already had it therefore it's too late?

Cervical cancer is caused by certain strains of HPV. It is sexually transmitted and very very common, I believe its estimated around 80% get it at some point during their lives.

Most get rid of it with no issues, but in the unlucky few it causes issues such as cervical cancer.

Because these strains of HPV are sexually transmitted the vaccine has to be given before people are sexually active, giving it you you now would be pointless, your body is already fighting the HPV18. Sort of like giving the meningitis jab to someone with meningitis.

I don’t know, I haven’t had the vaccine, I’m not sure how they could practically know if any girl had been exposed to the virus before undertaking mass vaccination. I have heard of issues with the vaccine, Dr David Healy has something on his website. But if I was weighing up the op vs the vaccine I’d be keen to be vaccinated instead. I hope they can give you what you need.

Ahh just saw the last post.

Thank you!

@CremeDeSudo I could have written your post. I too had cervical cancer a couple of years ago now (1a also) and had a cone biopsy.
I had HPV strains 16 and 18 (the two worst.....just my luck!)

My consultant said I could get the vaccine if I wanted to have it (costs around £600) I believe and has to be done over a couple of doses. I may do, I just hear some horror stories about women going into early menopause after the injection (not sure if that true but..) and I haven't had kids yet.

Can I ask why you believe you will have to have a hysterectomy in the future? Why does your consultant say that? Why would you be more at risk of the cancer coming back.....My consultant has suggested nothing of the sort for me so I'm just curios.

Hugs to you. I know only too well what you have been through.
Xx

Hi @mushroommushroom thanks for the msg and hugs back to you! Not a fun club to be in

I've always just been told that's the treatment and was told you 'don't mess about with cancer'. I think perhaps it varies by area? When I found out I was given the choice of a hysterectomy then or the cone if I wanted to 'complete my family' which I've now done. I had to have a cervical stitch in place for my pregnancy due to the cone, so make sure they check you over!! If you have less than 25mm of cervix left you need the stitch!

I'm actually waiting for my latest smear results now. It's been 6 wks, and am currently on holiday so anticipating a letter when we get back. I don't think we asked about the vaccine in the end as it wasn't mentioned at any point, hence my original post. I have to go back again for my next 6 monthly check next yr so I'll try to remember then!

@CremeDeSudo thanks so much for your reply. We sound like we have been through the same journey. I recall now that you have said it that my consultant used the same phrase "complete my family" when discussing options and before I had my cone biopsy. I haven't started TTC yet, we will be starting to try in January due to various things like work etc. Just had my six month check and fingers crossed all is still ok but like you it all has to be monitored. Although it's a horrid club to be part of we are so lucky we caught it early.
I hope all your tests continue to come back clear and big hugs to you x

My results came back all clear

@CremeDeSudo oh I'm so so pleased for you! Excellent news!!! Yay! Xx

Thanks! I cried lol. First smear post treatment!

I bet! Happy tears are a great thing, I'm very very pleased for you! Long may it continue xx

"we have smear tests. Occasionally they come back with abnormal changes or worse. Why not vaccinate those this applies to?"

Because vaccine needs to be done before you get the virus, which is why it's offered to preteens.

"I've had cervical cancer (1a) which was removed during the initial LLETZ procedure. I also had a cone biopsy"

LLETZ is the cone operation. The bit cut out was sent to biopsy to confirm that all it's surfaces were clean - i.e. All affected tissue was removed.

"I've got to have a hysterectomy in the near future because once I've had cervical cancer I'm 80% more likely to get it again."

Is this the medical advice you gave received? It sounds odd.

The LLETZ was a burning away of dodgy looking areas, the cone was a loop cone biopsy.

The advice/treatment seems pretty standard from what I've researched from Jo's Trust etc

Yes, LLETZ is basically an electrified hot wire cutting away a cone-shaped chunk out of the cervix. That cone is then sent for biopsy.

LLETZ stands for Large Loop Excision of the Transformation Zone (tip of the cervix). The excised bit is always a cone because of the shape of the heated wire.

@CoteDAzur I've had both of these types of procedures. You are right that the LETTZ is a hot wire used to effectively scrap off bad cells but the Cone Biopsy is different. The Cone Biopsy is sometimes called a Cold Knife Cone Biopsy and is done using, as the name suggests a knife/scalpel.
The LETTZ is not too invasive but the Cone Biopsy removed a large cone shape in my cervix.
Both myself and @CremeDeSudo have had both of these procedures so we know what they are etc.

Cold knife procedure is of course different and does not necessarily result in a cone. LLETZ does, which is why it is normally what people understand from "cone biopsy", also called "conization".

Conization is written in my notes and I only ever had a LLETZ procedure.

All tissue removed for suspected cancer is sent for biopsy, regardless of method of removal (LLETZ or knife) or even type (e.g. moles on skin), so OP's would have also been sent to biopsy after LLETZ. If she had a 2nd (cold knife) operation afterwards, that would suggest that LLETZ biopsy came back with the result that its surface was not all made up of normal tissue.

Sorry I just want to correct this:

"LETTZ is a hot wire used to effectively scrap off bad cells"

LLETZ doesn't scrap off cells. It cuts out a cone shaped chunk. (See picture)

By the way, nobody scrapes off cells from a suspected cancer zone simply because you can't send a piece to biopsy to make sure you got out all the abnormal cells.

Ok thanks apparently I misunderstood! I looked into it all initially then tbh, I've pushed it to the back of my mind.

Yes my LLETZ came back with 2mm cancerous cells, I was sent for an MRI and the cold knife biopsy was to make sure the edges (I think that's the correct term?) were all clear. All was fine.

I've just had my latest smear and a punch biopsy. I have another MRI at the end of Nov which I've been told is just procedure, then another 6 monthly smear next year. I will be having the hysterectomy after DD is 1 in June. No idea when beyond that.