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Colonoscopy and HPV

I recently had a colonoscopy done. Luckily everything was fine and the doctor told me I didn't have to have it done again for another 10 years.
I was wondering if the scopes used in the colonoscopy procedures can spread HPV from the anal canal, if one is infected, to other parts of the colon.




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207091 tn?1337709493
COMMUNITY LEADER
Do you have HPV in your anus? If you do, is it an active infection, with warts currently present? Did your doctor know that?

I can't find any evidence that having a colonoscopy will spread anal warts further inside the body. I'm happy to hear you got a good report, though, and good for you for having it done. :)
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Thank you so much for answering.

I am a woman in my fifties and normally I would not worry about such things. My concern started when I found out that my ex-husband's new wife (whom he was involved with during our relationship) has been diagnosed with severe cervical cancer.  As I know this can be caused by a virus I started to worry about being infected myself - and I guess I was considering all the possibilities.
I don't know the timing for all of this, and how long you and your ex have been apart, but cervical cancer takes some time to develop if it's caused by HPV. Not all cervical cancers are caused by HPV, but about 70% of cervical cancers are caused by the 2 most high risk strains of it. (Smoking, using birth control for a long time, having more than 3 children, and other things can also contribute to it.)

In most people (90%), HPV clears from the body within 2 years, and cancer won't develop.

Have you had your pap smears? That's the best way to prevent cervical cancer. If you're getting colonoscopies, which are far worse than pap smears, I'm guessing you get them, but let your doctor know about your ex's new wife, and ask if it makes sense for you to get a pap yearly for a couple of years instead of every 3 years, as the guidelines say for women aged 30-65.

I don't know your ex, or his wife, but I have talked to a lot of people who've gotten a pap smear with "severe inflammation" or "severe dysplasia", and they will hear "this could lead to cancer", and take away that they have severe cervical cancer. His wife may indeed have cancer - I don't know, but I'm just letting you know so you don't panic if you haven't seen direct evidence of this.

In any case, inflammation and dysplasia can be caused by HPV, so all you can do is get your paps. Talk to your doctor. Good luck!
Oh and since you asked about the colonoscopy - if you and your ex had anal sex, ask your doctor about an anal pap to look for cell changes rectally, too. Anal cancer is a risk with HPV as well.

I had a pap done last year, which was  normal, although it had been about 5 years since  the last one. I will definitely not wait that long again.  

Thank you again for all your valuable advice. I was actually in a bit of a panic, but I feel much better now and know how to deal with the situation;)
It sounds like you're doing everything you need to do to take care of yourself, and that's awesome. I'm glad you're feeling better, and if you have any other questions, we're here. :)
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