Cervical cancer question

[xback2basics.livejournal.com]

Is it possible for a virgin to get cervical cancer?

Also, what is the best online source you've come across for finding out more about it?

Comments

[catiekat.livejournal.com]

I suppose you could, but it would happen for different reasons, not because you contracted HPV. I've heard douching linked to it, but I'm not sure anyone under the age of 50 even considers douching!

Say you were genetically predisposed, maybe, but it's pretty unlikely. Also, I'm not a doctor, or even a pre-med student, so don't take anything I say too seriously!

[asunlitrose.livejournal.com]

I've never heard of douching being linked to cervical cancer. Vaginal infections, yes, but that is different than cervical cancer. Do you have a source?

OP -- "Almost all (more than 99%) cervical cancers are related to HPV." (http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_6x_FAQ_HPV_Vaccines.asp?sitearea=) I suppose a virgin could get cervical cancer, since HPV is spread from skin to skin contact, and if you maybe did some dry humping where your genitals were touching it could happen. But I'd find it to be pretty rare.

And of course I'm going to take the opportunity to plug VP's own Vulvapedia entry on HPV (http://www.vaginapagina.com/index.php?title=Human_Papillomavirus_%28HPV%29), because I tend to think it's pretty awesome. ;)

[wife-and-mom.livejournal.com]

I had remembered watching a show talking about douching putting you at risk of cervical cancer and did a little research and found this site as well as a few others talking about it.

Women who douche more than once a week may increase their risk of cervical cancer as much as fourfold compared with women who douche less often, according to a new epidemiologic study. But douching less than once a month carries no more risk than never douching, the researchers found.

The rest is here (http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1200/is_n11_v139/ai_10560642).

To the OP: The main concern for cervical cancer is HPV but if you are a smoker it increases your risk as well as anyone who's mother took the drug diethylstilbestrol(sp?) during pregnancy to avoid miscarriage. That was basically the only things I could find that would cause cervical cancer in virgins, except of course if you have a history of it in your family in which case it could be hereditary.

I'm no expert though, that is just things I've found by researching.

[marionravenwood.livejournal.com]

The main concern for cervical cancer is HPV but if you are a smoker it increases your risk as well as anyone who's mother took the drug diethylstilbestrol(sp?) during pregnancy to avoid miscarriage. That was basically the only things I could find that would cause cervical cancer in virgins, except of course if you have a history of it in your family in which case it could be hereditary.

Smoking and family history increase risk, but the cervical cancer in question is still caused by HPV. Smoking makes it harder for the body to fight off HPV infection, and for family history, it is believed that some people are more genetically vulnerable to HPV.

Cervical cancer caused by DES is not related to HPV, however, and it's a different kind of cervical cancer ("clear cell adenocacinoma") than what is seen in people who have not been exposed to DES.

[catiekat.livejournal.com]

My mom has always warned against douching, and her warnings are usually based on fact, but other than that I've never heard it anywhere else. Thanks for the link!

Store bought douches have TONS of chemicals in them that shouldn't be anywhere near the human body. Also, they can wash bacteria into the fallopian tubes and uterus! Yikes!

[marionravenwood.livejournal.com]

Is it possible for a virgin to get cervical cancer?

That depends on how you define "virgin." It is extremely unlikely for someone who has never had any sort of genital contact with another person to get cervical cancer, since virtually all (at least 99.7%) of all cervical cancers are caused by HPV.

Also, what is the best online source you've come across for finding out more about it?

I like the American Cancer Society:
http://caonline.amcancersoc.org/cgi/content/full/52/6/342

[cyberpurple.livejournal.com]

No advice but wanted to say thanks for asking this question - it's something I've been wondering about but never got around to actually asking.

I assume from reading these answers that as most people here agree that it's very unlikely for a virgin to get cervical cancer that would mean it's also not hugely necessary for a virgin to get a smear test?

[jennifer0246.livejournal.com]

yes, and the US recommendations currently are for women to start pap smears at age 21 or after 3 years of sexual activity, whichever comes first.

[xback2basics.livejournal.com]

You're welcome!

[goddessdeath.livejournal.com]

While someone above posted a link that says 99% of all cervical cancers are HPV-related, keep in mind that "approximately 20 million Americans are currently infected with HPV (http://www.cdc.gov/std/HPV/STDFact-HPV.htm), and another 6.2 million people become newly infected each year. At least 50% of sexually active men and women acquire genital HPV infection at some point in their lives." (CDC website)

[xback2basics.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the answers everyone!