abnormal smear/HPV and pregnant-please help!

[vannah]

Hello,
Im really having a good panic here and would welcome any advice or experience.
This year in January, I had an abnormal smear - was told that it looked like HPV virus. Then I got pregnant in March and am now 4 months pregnant.

The ads on the radio about hpv have prompted me to look it up and its quite scary to know that this causes cervical cancer.
Ive asked my gp for a repeat smear, but he has told me to stop worrying and wait for 4 months after the birth of the baby - that would be next march.

I know that cervical cancer takes many years to develop but I just dont want anything to go far.
this sounds terrible but Id rather jeopordise my pregnancy than put my health at risk, because I have a beautiful little toddler to take care of.

Should I go private and have another smear done? ANyone been pregnant with the hpv virus and a borderline smear?
thankyou

vannah

I've had a number of abnormal smears (and 2 bouts of treatment) due to HPV over the years. the last of these was borderline and then i was ok (and indeed have been clear for 5 years).

You haven't said what kind of abnormal smear you had but from what your GP says it sounds like very borderline changes. In which chase it can take years to develop (and indeed I don't think its a given that HPV/changes lead to cancer).

So if your GP is saying to wait awhile I think that is good advice as its something that can wait for a little while. I do not think doing this is necessarily going to lead to cacner - but I woudl go back and talk to your GP again before you decide to go the private route.

Hi Vannah - there are various different types of HPV and only certain strains are linked with cervical cancer. I'm not sure of the exact figure but something like 50-75% of the population carries HPV.

Even if you have the HPV that causes genital warts you are only called back once a year. So I suppose what I'm saying is that cervical cancer develops gradually over time - it's only when you don't go for regular smears that problems arise.

I think your gp is right but certainly seek a second opinion if you're worried about it.

Vannah

Please please don't panic, the majority of abonormal smears and HPV infections actually clear up on their own and never progress past the 'abnormal' stage. Only a small proportion progress to a point where they need to be treated and most infections heal up and clear without any treatment. A repeat smear is the routine next step and can be done up to 6 months after your initial smear for this very reason. An even smaller proportion progress on to cancer.

I work indirectly for one of the companies that has developed a vaccine for HPV so while not a doc I do have some knowledge in this area. If I was in your position I would wait until bub is born then have a repeat smear. My advice would be to go back and talk to your GP about your worries and if you're still really worried ask for a referral to see someone at your local colposcopy clinic (most likely an ob gyn consultant) who will be an expert in this area and talk your options through with them.

Congrats on your pregnancy

I had a smear test as part of my 8 week check up after i had dd as i was due one.

I had a reminder when i was about 4 months pg this time and i will be again having it when i have my 8 week check after i have this one.

Vannah

This has happened to me also and sometimes I worry about it but as everyone says, cervical cancer is a slow growing cancer and an abnormal smear does not mean you will go on to develop cancer. Please try not to worry and I think most doctors advise not to have a smear when pregnant.

thankyou for your replies and reassurance everyone. Its not so much the abnormal/borderline smear result im worried about but the finding that it was caused by hpv.
Yes I will ask gp to refer me to a coloscopy clinic...
thanks again