Genital warts are the most common sexually transmitted
disease of all in many parts of the world including
the United States and Great Britain and the virus
that causes genital warts (a strain of human papiloma
virus -HPV) has no cure. A large proportion of those
contracting these genital warts are women. And the
highest rates of genital warts recorded in women in
the age group of 16-19 years although sexually active
women of any age can be infected. If you are female
and find that you are suffering from genital warts,
you may well be very worried about the risk of genital
warts & cervical cancer.
Those women who do contract genital warts usually do
so after their first or second incident of sexual
intercourse. In women, genital warts occur on the
inside and outside of the vagina, on the cervix or
around the anus. The wart is the most contagious stage
of the virus. However it is important for you to know
that most women manage to clear this infection through
their own body's immune system. It is the percentage
of women who do not clear this infection who are at
some risk for cervical cancer. Many women go for Pap
smears when having their gynecological check up each
year and when there is an abnormal result from this
Pap smear, it is usually because the woman has genital
warts. Of course further investigations would then
have to be made to see if there any precancerous changes
of the cervix.
What is Cervical Cancer?
The cervix is the lower part of the uterus. The upper part is where they fetus grows. The cervix connects the upper part of the uterus to the vagina (the birth canal). There are two parts to the cervix known as the endocervix and the ectocervix and it is where these two parts meet, that most cervical cancers start. This cancer begins in the lining of the cervix. Normal cervical cells gradually develop precancerous changes and it is these changes that then turn into cancer.
What is the Risk to You?
Not all women with precancerous changes will develop cancer. This process usually takes several years but it can sometimes happen in less than a year. In the case of most women, these precancerous cells will remain unchanged and gradually go away without the need for any treatment. It is very important to be aware that if these precancers are treated, then almost all true cancers can be prevented.
If you are worried that you might have contracted genital
warts, then it is wise to get a medical diagnosis
from an experienced person as genital warts are not
always easy to recognize. Diagnosis is usually made
by recognizing the warts by their appearance or by
looking for other evidence of HPV infection. Testing
can be done at a STD clinic or with your own doctor.
If you have confirmation of the presence of genital
warts, then start a course of treatment immediately.
And it would be wise to then follow up with regular
Pap smears to put your mind at rest about the small
chance of Cervical Cancer developing.
Sources:
• www.medicinet.com
• www.hpa.org.uk
