Cervical Cancer, Abstinence and Pap Tests

[Piglet]

So, I admit this might be a dumb question, but it has been bugging me...

If you have never been sexually active (aka - a virgin), why do you need a Pap test? The previous post about HPV said it caused the vast majority of cervical cancer. Can you get HPV if you are not sexually active? Can you get cervical cancer if you don't have HPV? If you can, then what are the rates of cervical cancer in non-sexually active people?

I have a girlfriend that is particularly immature (we have been friends since we were in grade 5 and she hasn't grown up much since then... let's just say she would have a lot in common with the 40-year old virgin, but she is only 30). She has never had a Pap, because she has never been sexually active. I think her doctor is fine with this approach, but she asked me what I thought. Honestly, I hadn't given it much thought. I will admit that I have ever only been with DH and vice versa, so I don't see how I am a prime candidate for HPV either, but I still get regular Pap.

Any thoughts?

[o_mom]

Off the top of my head....

If she has never had sexual contact at all, then she has an extremely low chance of HPV. However, sexual contact that does not include intercourse can transmit it - think heavy petting, genital touching, etc. I don't think there is any other way to get it.

I _think_ they are pretty sure that most if not all cervical cancer is from HPV (you can never prove beyond any doubt that there is not another cause, but they can be reasonably sure). ETA: Looking this up, I can't find exact info, just that MOST are caused by this, so yes, there can be other causes.

The guidelines are something like every three years for people in monogamous relationships with no history of abnormal paps, so if she is at all concerned, she could get them very infrequently. I personally don't think they are a big deal, but know that some people do, so that could factor into her decision also.

[Piglet]

Nope, she just called me last last year and admitted that a guy had *kissed* her. She was over the moon. I know that nothing else has ever gone on. I know that Paps don't bother me now whatsoever, but the very first one scared the crap out of me. I had at least had sex by that time, whereas I would be absolutely freaked out if I was a virgin, I am sure of that.

[Karenn]

"I _think_ they are pretty sure that most if not all cervical cancer is from HPV (you can never prove beyond any doubt that there is not another cause, but they can be reasonably sure)."

I know of two people who tell me they were diagnosed with cervical cancer not caused by HPV.

[dawell0]

During a routine gyne exam, they check for other things when they do the Pap. It would be rare that she would have many problems, but they check for strange growths, fibroids, cysts, etc. I would think that she should probably still get checked, even if she isn't a prime candidate for other issues.

[tarabenet]

Definitely! Any of that stuff, you want to catch it early on and treat it quickly. Remember, it is her health and her reproductive health that are at stake here -- not something to blow off just based on modesty!

[Globetrotter]

I agree with this 100%. She might have other issues that need to be checked.

I know several 30 year old virgins :) but they are of Asian descent and it's not a big deal, culturally speaking. In fact, that's the expectation!

ETA: Not all cervical cancer is caused by HPV.

Kris

[juliasmom05]

I recall reading that 90% of all cervical cancers are associated with HPV.

Marci

[Sillygirl]

Also, and this doesn't refer to your friend in particular, people are weird about sex. You hear all sorts of things that are really impossible or extremely improbable when taken in the context of their health situation. I think in medical school I dealt with or heard about three different "immaculate" conceptions. Some folks lie, some are deluded, some are tragically misinformed. Just human nature, I guess, but you'd hate to miss HPV or other infections or problems by taking things at face value.

[o_mom]

I went and looked it up after you posted this, and all the stuff I found said that most cervical cancer is caused by HPV, but there can be other causes.