Chapter 1: A Weekend of Uncertainty

The moment I received the voicemail, panic set in.

"Do I Have Cervical Cancer?” “The Doctor Will Call You On Monday.”

I spent the entire weekend in fear as I awaited a call from my doctor.

About two weeks prior to my wedding at just 26 years old, I received a call from a nurse at my doctor’s office on a Friday. The voicemail stated, “Your pap smear results are abnormal. Please call us back; the doctor needs to discuss the next steps.”

My heart raced as I returned the call just before the office closed. “What does it mean if my pap smear is abnormal? Am I facing cancer?” I asked anxiously.

The nurse, with a matter-of-fact tone, replied, “You’ll need to talk to the doctor about that. She’s gone for the day and will call you on Monday.”

“What?” I exclaimed. How could she expect me to wait until Monday for such critical information? “Isn’t there anything else you can tell me?” I pleaded.

“No, you’ll have to wait until next week,” she reiterated.

As I hung up, I felt numb, paralyzed by fear, and I likely burst into tears.

In 2002, while the internet was available, I struggled to find comforting health information. I remember frantically Googling, consumed by thoughts like, “What if I have cancer? I’m too young for this!”

I spiraled deeper into panic, contemplating postponing my wedding, wondering if I could take time off work for chemotherapy, and questioning the genetic implications of my situation. My mind raced with concerns about how cervical cancer develops and whether my lifestyle choices had played a role.

Fast forward to 2021, when I search “abnormal pap smear” and find clearer guidance, reassuring me that an abnormal result doesn’t automatically indicate cervical cancer. Online resources, including WebMD, clarify that abnormal pap smears can signal changes in cervical cells linked to human papilloma virus (HPV).

The CDC reports that over 90% of cervical cancer cases stem from HPV, and that vaccination can significantly reduce the risk.

Every year, nearly 200,000 women in the United States are diagnosed with cervical precancer, highlighting the importance of understanding these risks.

Back in 2002, I was oblivious to HPV, only later learning it is a sexually transmitted infection. The Mayo Clinic outlines several risk factors for cervical cancer, such as multiple sexual partners, early sexual activity, and a weakened immune system.

While I believed I didn’t fit those risk profiles, the implication that having multiple partners increases risk is stigmatizing and can be misleading.

When I finally spoke to my doctor that following Monday, she explained that abnormal pap smear results require further investigation, as they don't definitively indicate cancer. She recommended additional testing.

I later learned she needed to perform a colposcopy, a procedure involving a microscope-like instrument to examine my cervix and take a biopsy of any abnormal cells. At the time, I was terrified, imagining drastic measures being taken.

Signing the consent form and reading about the potential risks heightened my anxiety. Ultimately, the anticipation was worse than the actual discomfort I experienced, which felt like a strong pinch.

Fortunately, I was able to marry on schedule and enjoy my honeymoon. Afterward, I returned for a follow-up to remove more abnormal cells. My OB/GYN performed a Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure (LEEP), which is done in an outpatient setting.

LEEP, described by Johns Hopkins Medicine, involves using a wire loop heated by electric current to remove abnormal tissue. While some discomfort, bleeding, and cramping followed, it was manageable and akin to typical menstrual cramps.

Since that initial abnormal pap smear, I have committed to annual screenings. Some OB/GYNs suggested extending the intervals, but after additional abnormal results, I consistently opted for yearly tests.

I later had an HPV test that returned negative, a relief, as I suspect I would have tested positive years earlier given my history of abnormal results.

Interestingly, HPV can resolve on its own; Johns Hopkins notes that for 90% of women, the virus clears up within two years. Only a minority of those with high-risk strains are likely to develop cervical cancer.

My OB/GYN once proposed waiting six months to see if abnormalities persisted, while on another occasion, more aggressive intervention was necessary.

By the time the first HPV vaccine was released in 2006, I was married and no longer at risk for new partners. Unfortunately, I was also too old to receive the vaccine, which was limited to younger individuals.

I am optimistic that with increased HPV vaccination rates among young people, cervical cancer and abnormal pap smears will become less prevalent. I ensured that my daughters received the vaccine at the appropriate age.

It is my hope that sharing my journey encourages more parents to vaccinate their teen daughters and sons against HPV. No one should have to face the threat of cervical cancer when a preventive vaccine is available.

Chapter 2: Understanding HPV and Its Implications

In the video "On Call with Dr. Kumar: Lowering the risk of cervical cancer," viewers can learn more about HPV and its connection to cervical cancer prevention.