HPV 31 and abnormal PAP

[dido415]

Hello,

I understand that a very few percent of women with HPV-31 develop cervical cancer or register an abnormal Pap smear. Unfortunately, I have this particular strain of HPV and I've just received news that my Pap smear detected mild cell abnormalities for which I was told to get a colposcopy for further study.

My question is:
What are the chances that a person suffering from this strain of HPV with an abnormal pap will get rid of the HPV virus down the line? (I first learned that I had HPV exactly a year ago. Back then my pap results were normal and now, a year later, they are not). Is having an abnormal pap indication that the HPV virus is here to stay and that the person will be struggling to fight off developing cancer all her life? I am worried that since I have fallen in the small percentage of women with abnormal pap results from this particular strain that my chances to get rid of this virus (or that the virus will not cause any further damage) are low. I am an otherwise healthy individual.

I would extremely appreciate some clarification in this matter.

[SarahB79]

it's not a small percentage of women that get abnormal paps.  They can be abnormal for many reasons... sometimes just error.  Depending on what the pap finds and if the HPV test is positive, as yours was, then usually a colposcopy will be performed.  It's a simple test where the dr. applies a vinegar solution to your cervix and looks for white spots through a scope.  If he sees white spots, then he may do a punch biopsy to evaluate the tissue further.  If it's LGSIL then he'll probably just want to repeat paps every 3-6 months until he gets a years worth of clean paps.  If it's HGSIL or progresses to HGSIL then he will likely do a LEEP or cryosurgery to remove the abnromal cells so that it doesn't have a chance to develop into cancer.  It typically takes 10 years to go from LGSIL to cancer if the LGSIL doesn't clear on it's own... which it usually does once your immune system fights off the HPV.  80% of all sexually active adults will aquire HPV at some point in their lives... it's all about the immune system and your life style (smoking, diet, weight and drinking) that determines if the HPV sticks around long enough to damages sells beyond LGSIL.  

With proper care of yourself, you should be able to kick the HPV virus in 2 years or less.

Good luck!

[Rach04]

i had an abnormal pap show up at 17 then i had a repeat 9 months later bye that stage it was stage 5 carcinoma i was lucky i had my kids early because bye 24 i'd had my hystorectomy to avoid the wory of cancer taking my life stage 5 was bad enough. good luck i'd ask for repeat pap every 3 months to be safe.