1. You need to find out exactly what the Pap result was. There are many levels of abnormal, ASCUS which means Atypical Cells of Undetermined Significance, is the most common and this means that it may be normal or may be mildly abnormal. If the Pap was ASCUS it could also be inflammation and irritation that causes cells to appear mildly abnormal. Pathologists don’t always agree on what they see when they look at a slide. If she has HPV it will probably clear by the next time she has a Pap; which should be in 6-12 months.
2. The chance even if she has abnormal of cells of getting cancer is practically zero. First an HPV infection usually clears quickly. HPV is very common in young women. If for some reason she has HPV and it does not clear in 2 years or so; they can do a small procedure and remove the abnormal cells—this is usually never needed. Cervical cancer is very, very, very rare and usually happens in women in their late 40’s that have not had a Pap in 5 or more years.
3. Paps are imperfect and as I said above inflammation can also cause an abnormal pap. A Pap should be done mid cycle, approx 10-20 days after the 1st day of her last period. She should not have sex or use vaginal creams 48 hours before the test. There are many reasons for a mildly abnormal Pap.
4. Penile cancer is very rare. Even if she has High risk HPV and you have been exposed, you would be exposed probably anyway if you have been sexually active in the past. For men there are usually no symptoms and the virus clears on its own. You have practically a zero risk of penile cancer.
The vaccine only cover 2 High Risk HPV’s—of which they are approx 16 high risk HPV’s known. There is also recent evidence that immunity from the vaccine may diminish with time. Simply the term high risk sounds dangerous when it is actually not. HPV does not cause cervical cancer. A persistent HPV infection, one that does not clear in 2 or more years, with added cofactors that are currently unknown may cause cervical cancer in SOME women that are not under the regular care of a gynecologist. HPV is common in young women and cervical cancer is rare in all women.
http://www.ashastd.org/hpv/hpv_learn_dysplasia.cfm also has terrific information on hpv for more reading too.
the hpv vaccine only protects against 2 of the types of hpv that cause cervical cancer. unfortunately many other types out there which is why regular paps are still necessary even when you've had the vaccine.
at this point she needs to wait for her colposcopy to get better answers. They'll look for signs of hpv better then as well as biopsy any suspicious looking areas for better answers.
grace