HPV and growths
Discussion
I know for a fact there will be others who either have gone or going through similar here, but couldn't find anything. Up until last week had next to no knowledge about HPV - call me naive.
I've been with my wife for 11years, married 6yrs. On her last smear test she got a positive HPV test. We're open with each other and we both have 100% confidence neither of us have been with anyone else in the last 11years. She had a few partners before me, shes been my only sexual partner.
She's 32, as such they introduced the HPV vaccine for girls one school year after (obviously).
Anyway, she was reffered for a colposcopy which she had last week (where they take a punch biopsy). Anyway, the nurse said that whatever it is there's a large growth that needs to be removed ASAP but clearly couldn't say any more than that and told to await the results.
Of course this comment sent us both to Google and whilst there's quite a lot if info out there, it's all pretty scary. Apparently Colposopy results can take 4-8wks.
Anyways. I'm mentally bracing myself for the worst, but already I'm feeling pretty poop.
Over to the floor.
I've been with my wife for 11years, married 6yrs. On her last smear test she got a positive HPV test. We're open with each other and we both have 100% confidence neither of us have been with anyone else in the last 11years. She had a few partners before me, shes been my only sexual partner.
She's 32, as such they introduced the HPV vaccine for girls one school year after (obviously).
Anyway, she was reffered for a colposcopy which she had last week (where they take a punch biopsy). Anyway, the nurse said that whatever it is there's a large growth that needs to be removed ASAP but clearly couldn't say any more than that and told to await the results.
Of course this comment sent us both to Google and whilst there's quite a lot if info out there, it's all pretty scary. Apparently Colposopy results can take 4-8wks.
Anyways. I'm mentally bracing myself for the worst, but already I'm feeling pretty poop.
Over to the floor.
Edited by Dusty_pig on Tuesday 31st May 12:47
Would seem pointless and distressing to tell.someone that they are positive for a strain of HPV without sequelae.....
I suspect your wife will be referred to a gynaecologist for consideration of her options. But I can't expand on them as it's not my speciality and there needs to be an awful lot of personal and social input into any treatment options
Best wishes to you both
I suspect your wife will be referred to a gynaecologist for consideration of her options. But I can't expand on them as it's not my speciality and there needs to be an awful lot of personal and social input into any treatment options
Best wishes to you both
From what I understand there are over a hundred strains of HPV virus. Most of them are relatively harmless, there are maybe 15 strains that cause growths in/on the cervix and surrounding areas.
The HPV virus can lay dormant for 15+years undetected. It's now the first thing they check for during a smear test as its THE most likely thing to turn into cancer. From what ive read there is no conclusive test for males.
Happy to be corrected, but think virtually all cervical cancers can be traced back to HPV.
Process as I understand it so far
1 - Smear test
1a - check for HPV (positive)
1b - check for abnormal cells (positive)
2 - colposcopy (punch biopsy)
2a - nurse said there's a large growth that will need removing with either an LLETZ or a cone biopsy (which will be done BEFORE 2b)
2b - told to await results which could take 4-8weeks.
The HPV virus can lay dormant for 15+years undetected. It's now the first thing they check for during a smear test as its THE most likely thing to turn into cancer. From what ive read there is no conclusive test for males.
Happy to be corrected, but think virtually all cervical cancers can be traced back to HPV.
Process as I understand it so far
1 - Smear test
1a - check for HPV (positive)
1b - check for abnormal cells (positive)
2 - colposcopy (punch biopsy)
2a - nurse said there's a large growth that will need removing with either an LLETZ or a cone biopsy (which will be done BEFORE 2b)
2b - told to await results which could take 4-8weeks.
HPV never used to be tested for during smear unless it was abnormal result (which doesn't mean cancer). Now it is routine, so many women will suddenly find out they have HPV as it was previously untested, it does not however mean they have recently been infected by it.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/changes-to-cerv...
There are many strains and most are benign, even those which result in uncontrolled growth, it's generally just a matter of excision of the tissue and regular testing.
I've spoken to someone else about this recently, we agree it's very poorly communicated to those women who have received the test.
There is no test for men. It's routinely tested during circumcisions for the same reasons.
It's a very bizarre state of affairs. Thank goodness the HPV vaccine will mean our children are less likely to have these issues.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/changes-to-cerv...
There are many strains and most are benign, even those which result in uncontrolled growth, it's generally just a matter of excision of the tissue and regular testing.
I've spoken to someone else about this recently, we agree it's very poorly communicated to those women who have received the test.
There is no test for men. It's routinely tested during circumcisions for the same reasons.
It's a very bizarre state of affairs. Thank goodness the HPV vaccine will mean our children are less likely to have these issues.
So after a few weeks of nothing and a few weeks of ringing up to ask what's happening she finally got through to someone.
They said they were awaiting the results before arranging anything, which they now had. The lady on reception could see that the results were "in" and said that a letter would be sent out and arrangements made but she could not see what they were.
That was a week ago and we've been waiting... yesterday a letter came in the post with details for surgery, time, dates, what to do/not do etc, but still no results from the punch biopsy.
She has to go in by herself, I'm not allowed into the building etc. Household has got to isolate for three days prior (not even allowed out for excersise or essentials). All seems a bit strict.
There's no explanation about why or what they are removing during the surgery. It's is un nerving me a little.
My wife is of the opinion that no news is good news, can't be anything serious otherwise they would've said something.
I'm of the opinion that whatever it is, they don't want to send it In a letter and want to await for post op before breaking any news.
Phoning up and asking for the results has yielded nothing so far...
Is it common to be kept in the dark about these things? Seems morally wrong to me, surely you deserve to know what they found and what the procedure is actually for before cutting you up?
They said they were awaiting the results before arranging anything, which they now had. The lady on reception could see that the results were "in" and said that a letter would be sent out and arrangements made but she could not see what they were.
That was a week ago and we've been waiting... yesterday a letter came in the post with details for surgery, time, dates, what to do/not do etc, but still no results from the punch biopsy.
She has to go in by herself, I'm not allowed into the building etc. Household has got to isolate for three days prior (not even allowed out for excersise or essentials). All seems a bit strict.
There's no explanation about why or what they are removing during the surgery. It's is un nerving me a little.
My wife is of the opinion that no news is good news, can't be anything serious otherwise they would've said something.
I'm of the opinion that whatever it is, they don't want to send it In a letter and want to await for post op before breaking any news.
Phoning up and asking for the results has yielded nothing so far...
Is it common to be kept in the dark about these things? Seems morally wrong to me, surely you deserve to know what they found and what the procedure is actually for before cutting you up?
Dusty_pig said:
My wife is of the opinion that no news is good news, can't be anything serious otherwise they would've said something.
No. it could just mean they've lost the letter/made a mistake.Dusty_pig said:
Is it common to be kept in the dark about these things?
It happens.The NHS can be very good at saving people's lives, but very poor at interpersonal skills. They normally get it right in the end IMO.
Monday 11th July-
My wife went in for day surgery under general anaesthetic.
Theyre still pretty strict on CV19. Probably because on the same ward and building there's pretty severe cancer patients. So that's understandable.
Both my wife and I had to isolate for three days prior, not even allowed out for essentials or excersise. I could drop her off and pick her up, but not allowed into the building. She had to do a covid test in the morning before arrival.
She had to phone a number at the door where she was taken into a holding area. Then she had to do another covid test. Then when that was all clear she was taken through and met the surgeon etc.
I collected her about 3pm. Dropped her off at 7am.
Tuesday 12 July -
Had the day off but went back to work on Wednesday.... little/no sympathy from her boss who said "there's work that needs doing" - prick.
Thursday 14 July -
Her boss is coughing and spluttering all day - she tells him to give her space and do a test...
On Thursday evening her boss tested + for covid. f
king joy.
Saturday 16 July -
She started feeling off on Friday and tested + on Saturday AM and has been pretty rough with it.
Saturday PM she was going to the loo a lot and was passing blood and was in a lot of pain. Maybe an infection or UTI?
She phoned 111 and they said "we'll get a nurse or clinician to call you back asap"...... well that never happened. A receptionist called back about 5hrs later and basicall said "they're really busy, soz, oh how are you by the way?"
Pain had eased a bit so they decided to do nothing more.
Sunday 17 July-
The pain has eased but she's still passing some blood. Maybe some healing process?
Her body temp is okay and she's eating and drinking OK.
We're staying apart and she's isolating in our bedroom. I'm on food and drug duty, leaving plates at the door etc. So far I feel fine and testing negative.
On the plus side we've just had a letter to say that the surgery was successful and removed a growth of CIN3 tissue - which is severely deformed cells but NOT cancer. Further results and actions will be shared with 4 weeks. Suspect just checks.
All in all had a pretty testing week, bur at least she doesn't have cancer.
Oh, and also I was told on Wednesday that I might get made redundant.
My wife went in for day surgery under general anaesthetic.
Theyre still pretty strict on CV19. Probably because on the same ward and building there's pretty severe cancer patients. So that's understandable.
Both my wife and I had to isolate for three days prior, not even allowed out for essentials or excersise. I could drop her off and pick her up, but not allowed into the building. She had to do a covid test in the morning before arrival.
She had to phone a number at the door where she was taken into a holding area. Then she had to do another covid test. Then when that was all clear she was taken through and met the surgeon etc.
I collected her about 3pm. Dropped her off at 7am.
Tuesday 12 July -
Had the day off but went back to work on Wednesday.... little/no sympathy from her boss who said "there's work that needs doing" - prick.
Thursday 14 July -
Her boss is coughing and spluttering all day - she tells him to give her space and do a test...
On Thursday evening her boss tested + for covid. f
king joy. Saturday 16 July -
She started feeling off on Friday and tested + on Saturday AM and has been pretty rough with it.
Saturday PM she was going to the loo a lot and was passing blood and was in a lot of pain. Maybe an infection or UTI?
She phoned 111 and they said "we'll get a nurse or clinician to call you back asap"...... well that never happened. A receptionist called back about 5hrs later and basicall said "they're really busy, soz, oh how are you by the way?"
Pain had eased a bit so they decided to do nothing more.
Sunday 17 July-
The pain has eased but she's still passing some blood. Maybe some healing process?
Her body temp is okay and she's eating and drinking OK.
We're staying apart and she's isolating in our bedroom. I'm on food and drug duty, leaving plates at the door etc. So far I feel fine and testing negative.
On the plus side we've just had a letter to say that the surgery was successful and removed a growth of CIN3 tissue - which is severely deformed cells but NOT cancer. Further results and actions will be shared with 4 weeks. Suspect just checks.
All in all had a pretty testing week, bur at least she doesn't have cancer.
Oh, and also I was told on Wednesday that I might get made redundant.
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