Just started dating a girl who recently told me she has Cervical Cancer

[bryanalan58]

I just started dating a girl who recently told me she just found out she has cervical cancer. We never had sex before for we've only been dating for a few weeks. Am I at risk if we have sexual intercourse? I really like her and I know for a fact I won't stop seeing her just because of this but I just need to know if it will infect me in some way.

[gracefromHHP]

if you haven't had your gardasil shot series yet, by all means call your provider and start it to help protect you from hpv. It takes 3 shots over 6 months to be fully protected but it certainly helps to put the odds even more in your favor.

Many things can cause abnormal cervical cells.  Your gf will need to ask what the actual results of the pap test were - it should've said more than just abnormal cells. Her next step will be to get a colposcopy. During that procedure, she will be reclining on the table like usual and they will use a magnifying scope to get a much better look at her cervix than they do during a regular exam. while down there, should they see any suspicious areas on her cervix, they will biopsy them and send them off to the lab for further testing. once they've confirmed the extent and type of abnormal cells, they will decide if any treatment is needed. Many times they do take a wait and see approach to it all since many hpv infections will go away on their own over time. She also should request a hpv test too at her colposcopy appointment if they didn't automatically do one during her pap.

http://www.ashastd.org/std-sti/hpv.html  is a terrific resource for you both during this stressful time :)

keep asking questions!

[bryanalan58]

Well, she seems to be freaking out. She said she went in for her daily check up and the doctor found the abnormal cells. SHE said they told her she has cervical cancer, and then she said  they are doing more tests to see how serious it has progressed.

Also, we've just started dating for a couple weeks. We've had no sexual intercourse or sexual activity other than kissing, thats it. I'm 25 years old. I'm not sure about a treatment. Theyre running more tests starting tomorrow.

[gracefromHHP]

typically cervical cancer is caused by hpv.  the types that progress to cause cervical cancer are the high risk types of hpv that don't cause symptoms in males or females but are associated with potential progression to cancer.

so what do you do?

have you had your gardasil shots? ( not sure of your age )

If you two have protected sex, odds are low that you'd contract her hpv. make sure you have the condom on when your clothing comes off, not just wait for actual penetration to put it on.

has she begun her treatment yet?

grace

[Aelly]

No risk