LEEP question: Journalist looking for your input

Hi Amelia

I think even more than the LEEP procedure the bigger issue should be HPV and the 4 types that lead to cervical cancer.  Typically, there are all types of procedures docs do prior to finding cervical cancer.  HPV is so common and most people are able to get rid of it within two years or so if their immune systems are strong.  Not sure of the demographics of it but it is so common.  I have heard of women across all ages up to 60 that have issues.  I have created a blog: http://www.mycervicalcancerjourney.blogspot.com.   did not really focus on the procedures they did to me prior to diagnosing cervical cancer - which included a LEEP, an uterian ablasion etc.  But can answer specific questions if you have any.  I believe the LEEP procedure is an early procedure that can find the cancer in its early stages.  Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.  I am to see my gyno oncologist next Wed. and can ask specific questions of him.

Good luck in your research,

Kelly

Amelia,

Forgot to tell you I am 42, divorced, white and have triplets.

Kelly

I also agree the bigger issue is HPV.  I am 57, and for the first time in 4 years I have finally had a clear exam.  I had the LEEP procedure when I was 55.  It's no walk in the park.  I didn't even know I had the HPV virus until I was 54 and had a bad pap smear.  I've had the exams every 6 months since.  Questions you may want to ask the doctors you interview:

Since men are the carriers, are we constantly getting re-infected every time we have sex?

Dispasia - HPV related - any other cause?

I asked my gynocologist why not just take out the uterus.  He told me that then I would be at risk for vaginal cancer.  True?

Yep, I think HPV issue is more important than the LEEP procedure.  Having a Leep procedure to get a biopsy done is a much easier procedure than many other types of cancers biopsies, most of which require you to be put under. 

I had all the tests with dyplasia showing up at the end.  I had a bump which she biopsied and it was HPV.

I had a hysterectomy where my uterus and cervix were removed.  There was a tumor in my cervix.  I was told it was too high up to show the cancer.  My symptoms were constant bleeding which the ablasion did not take care of and it should have.  I was dx May 2010 and things for the last year have been hell.  I had so much damage from the treatments.  I was at stage 2b but lymph nodes were clear thank goodnesss.  I have had every test, treatment and am still in trouble.  Can't retain food - on feed bag.  On topical chemo treatments for carcinoma in situ and after the 5th treatment I am so burned.  It just doesn't stop.  Best wishes for good health - Kelly

I agree with the others, about HPV. We need a lot more research AND education. BUT, we really need to be educating MEN.  e.g. creating a vaccine for women is still only treating the symptom, whereas men appear to be the real "problem" - but unwittingly. Only after I came down with a case of SCC/4a, and suffered through the usual brutal chemo/radiation did I come to find out that I'm a carrier.  How ironic then that my partner had been having abnormal's for 4 years, same time; a LEEP that was not fully successful; and finally graded at "low grade dysplasia/HPV", and we were told not to worry (but keep checking her every 6 mo.).  I had no idea that I might be the problem until all of this happened, a wee bit late. Sure, LEEP is of interest, but if you only write one article, do HPV, and try for a MEN's magazine (or ask your women readers to leave the article open on the kitchen table).

On Sep 30, 2011 7:09 PM AmeliaFaith123 wrote:

Hi all, I'm a young journalist at a major national women's magazine, and I've enjoyed reading your posts. My sister recently went through a LEEP procedure, and she was very scared, confused and unsure about what it all meant. (She's recovered well, but it wasn't fun at first, as you all know well.) But given her experience and all of your posts, it made me think we should do a story about this in the magazine. We are a magazine for married women in their 30s, 40s and 50s, and my sister is only 25. So I'm wondering how often the LEEP procedure is performed in the slightly older demographic. How old are you all? Are you married, single? Do you think we should talk about this issue more? I'm going to interview doctors for this, too, but I wanted to get a patient-perspective as well. I would love to hear your thoughts to bring to my editors. Thanks so much,

Amelia

Iam a 63 year old married woman who had cervical cancer when in my early 30s. Treatment had to be put on hold as I was pregnant with my 4th child. Afterwards the cancer had progressed and, after a cone biopsy I was given treatment with cervical implants. My cancer was cured but I have had recurrent problems, in that my vagina collapsed and blocked the passage and so when I had a polyp the space behind my collapsed vagina became filled with dead material and then I haemorrhaged badly and had to be admitted to hospital to have the dead material removed. I have had polyps accompanied by haemorrhaging twice now. I also have scarring in my abdomen nd suffer quite badly with a functional disorder of the intestinal tract. I was not given hormone replacement and so developed osteoporosis whichcauses a number of problems.