So the thing is: Last night a very close friend called up to tell me that one of her colleagues who’s just 26 is diagnosed with cervical cancer and it is important that I get a pap smear done, asap.
Cervical cancer is mainly caused by Human Papilloma Virus, which is caught through sexual intercourse. So what, I thought, if I haven’t had sex with a man, I am unlikely to get cervical cancer. But the next thing that knocked my head off was – does the sex need to be with a man?
Now dear readers, To be honest with you all, the idea that one could catch HPV through lesbian sex didn’t ever cross my mind. I always associated this virus to be a “heterosexual” virus. So after this conversation with my friend, I thought its best to spend some time investigating on the subject rather than just ignoring the suggestion. And my findings were quite interesting.
Lesbian and bisexual women have exactly the same probability of developing cervical cancer as heterosexual women! [Should we be glad that HPV does not discriminate against gender or sexual orientation??]
HPV is JUST one of the main causes of cervical cancer; the other factors being smoking, a weakened immune system, bad hygiene, sex life & genetics.
One may contract HPV through one’s own previous sexual behavior with men; in addition, to sex with a female partner who has had previous heterosexual sex.
Modes of transmission are commonly understood to include vaginal penetration with fingers and skin to skin contact. HPV may also be transmitted through the use of sex toys (I know this is bad news!!).
So, yeah we are not spared. Which means I’ll go for the test this very weekend. But I am sure getting the damn test done won’t be easy. It is in a way important that I disclose my sexual orientation to my doc considering her suggestions would be more suitable. And with it comes the damn fear of discrimination & insensitivity. But that should not stop me from taking good care of my health & that of the one I love so dearly, right?
So, yeah loving myself as a lesbian does mean loving my body & taking good care of it.
So darlings, wishing u all good luck, stay committed towards your health, practice safe sex, get regular tests done, give-up smoking(that goes for me too!).
Cheers to being out and proud not just as a queer but as a healthy & responsible one!
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Should educate gay men about HPV too.. It’s the most commonly transmitted STD and even condoms wont protect one from getting infected.. HPV can cause penile,anal and although it was considered rare to have mouth cancer, lately docs are seeing an increased number of cases coz of unprotected oral sex.
YES! Gay men are definitely at risk. Smear tests can be done on men as well. Both men and women should demand the HPV vaccine as early as possible though you may need to find a special doctor if your local one refuses.
Hmmm! Very interesting (and concerning?) findings. I guess we hear so much about safe ‘gay’ sex, that the fact lesbian sex can bring risks (if you don’t play safe) is not highlighted enough.
Chicklet..thanks for bringing this topic up.
Good info Chicklet. Wishing everyone good luck…
Good call! I live in Helsinki and my gynecologist advised me to get one too, going for one next month. I am heterosexual, but I would advise it for everyone.
Two more this that I would like to ask my sisters to get checked up on:
1.Mammograms on a regular basis. It is a state paid, free service in Scandinavia, which I would say points out how important it is to get a check up done.
2. Regular gynec visits, even if you are a virgin waiting for immaculate conception. I experienced my first ever pain free periods after last year when I made my first ever gynec check up. Go get medication, we deserve to be pain free.
While we are on the topic, I thought I would share this web comic series with you, which talks, among other things, about the risks of STDs for lesbians. http://girlswithslingshots.com/archive.php?today=945&comic=923
Since getting a pap smear is now a routine gynac procedure and all women are recommended to get one once a year after a certain age and especially after becoming sexually active, I don’t think you need to disclose your sexual orientation to a gynac. The test itself is very blah…they just take a sample and it’s off to a lab. No questions asked really…
Just had a thought – they now have a vaccine that prevents certain types of HPV that lead to cervical cancer. I think you have to be 26 or under to get it in the US, but it’s most effective if you’re younger or not yet had a lot of sexual partners. It’s a series of 3 shots and it’s called Gardasil – check it out!