DESPERATELY SEEKING FOR MEDICAL ADVICE IN REGARDS TO POSSIBLE CERVICAL CANCER DEVELOPMENT.

Hi Doctor,

Thanks, in advance, for taking the time to read my question and providing a response.  My situation is quite frustrating and it has created extreme anxiety and stress and I'm hoping you can at least provide me with useful information.  On August 2006, I was diagnosed with high risk HPV.  Since my diagnosis, I have been closely following up on my pap spears as well as colposcopies/biopsies.  All of my results until December of last year have been ASCUS and, for my knowledge, no signs of cancer.  However, I was laid off from my job on July of last year but I was able to get my last biopsy on that same month which came back normal and with no signs of pre-cancerous changes.  Of course, I am more worried now about following up on this condition due to lack of insurance.  I have scheduled a colposcopy/biopsy with my local planned parenthood but it will not be until April.  My last pap was December and, AGAIN, it showed ASCUS results.  My questions are the following:

1)  Can I develop cervical cancer within 4-5 months?
2) I am on Loestrin birth control pills and I have had abnormal *brown* bleeding for the past two weeks (I am supposed to get my period some time next week)  is this a sign of cervical cancer?
3) I don't smoke cigarettes but I do use marihuana, and more recently, since it seems to calm down my anxiety and stress.  Could marihuana speed the development of cervical cancer? (for the last two months the use has been at least 5 times a week)
5) My stress levels are most of the time SKY high...does this have an impact on my HPV infection?
6)  Does ASCUS automatically mean pre-cancerous/cancerous cell changes? How long does it typically take for ASCUS results to progress into invasive cancer?

[Elaine Brown, MD]

Hi!
I'm glad to hear that you are not just going to blow off your follow up!
As long as you continue to have good follow up, you will NEVER get cancer.
Cancer takes years to develop, although smoking can speed the process along, it is still a matter of years rather than months.  I'm not sure whether the same carcinogen that is in tobacco is also in marijuana--whatever it is in tobacco gets concentrated in the cervical mucous and that's why it stimulates the virus to become malignant.
Only about 10% of HPV infections are destined to become cancer.  90% of infections either persist quietly, or resolve spontaneously.  Anything that affects your immune system such as HIV/kidney transplant/pregnancy, etc can activate the virus.
By the same token, a healthy immune system is your best defense.
As far as the bleeding goes, that is most likely being caused by the pill--because it is so low dose, it frequently causes break through bleeding.

I AM concerned about your frequent marijuana use though, as that is a very difficult addiction to overcome.  If you can reduce your smoking, you should!
I hope this helps!
Good luck!
Dr B

[XtremelyScared84]

Thanks for your response doctor.  I've read about marijuana and it's "anti-cancer" components and I've done some reading on how it can affect the immune system but as far as I've read it seems that there is no strong evidence of marijuana and how it's linked to cervical cancer.  I will, however, try to reduce my intake, stress and anxiety are probably one of the biggest health issues I deal with on a daily basis.  One more question, how long does it typically take for ASCUS to progress to invasive cancer?  The nurse at the planned parenthood mentioned that this can even take less than a year.  Is this true?  That's one main reason as to why I feel uneasy about getting my follow up until April ...I am in fear that I will get a diagnosis of final stage cancer on my next visit.  Also, why is it that some women can clear the virus faster than others? Can my stress/anxiety play an important role on my HPV infection?  What vitamins do you recommend to help boost the immune system?  Thanks Doc! Your input is greatly appreciated. =)