I'm very curious about my mother's death, will you help me?

Question

you see my mother died of cervical cancer a few years ago and I'm really having trouble "how she got it". My dad told me that after giving birth to my young sister, the tools used for her surgery wasn't seralized enough and the last patient might have had HPV or cancer already( just to let you know me and my sister was born in the Philippines, a 3rd world country). I know my father isnt HIV/STD/AID positive. Plus my mom lost her virginity to my father and only him. So do you think there is a chnace I might have it in the later future too? I'm really scared and confused

Well I do know that before my mother met my dad, he already had sex while in college, but I dont know how many girls he has slept with.............I'm so scared and I have been crying for hours just thinking about my future

just to let you know my mother died at the age 42

Answer 1

No way, cancer is not an infectious disease, however it can be hereditary.
The best thing you can do is enjoy life and to check periodically with your physicians.

Good luck.

Answer 2

Okay, a lot of people are giving you incorrect information or half information here.

Cervical cancer can be caused by the HPV virus. In fact, MOST cases of cervical cancer are caused by this virus. Now, HPV is a sexually transmitted virus - meaning you can get it through having sex with someone who is infected. HOWEVER, it is possible to get it without actually having sex, just having skin to skin contact. Keep in mind, it has nothing to do with the AIDS/HIV virus.

You have no reason to be scared, any more than any woman. For you to get the disease, you would have to contract the HPV virus that causes the disease. If you are very careful in choosing sex partners, and you always use protection, you can cut down your risk of contracting the virus.

Also, you should start seeing a gynecologist as soon as you start having sex. If you've started already, then make an appointment as soon as you can. The doctor will do a test called a "pap smear" to test you. Most women have a new pap smear done every year. It's not at all painful, and you get the result in a few days. It's important to have them yearly, because if you should get cervical cancer, you have a better chance of surviving if you catch it early on.

Now, because you have an immediate family member who had cancer, you are considered at higher risk of developing it yourself. So you should visit your doctor regularly and let him or her know about your family history.

This is confusing to many people, because most cancers are caused by genetics or unknown factors, and not by a virus. Cervical cancer is a little different from other cancers. The good news is that you can protect yourself. You really have nothing to worry about.

I'm sorry about your mom. I lost my mother to cancer too, when I was a kid. Just know that she's watching over you. Be safe.

Answer 3

HPV also called Human Papaloma Virus is a STD that is shown to cause the cell changes that cause cervical cancer in approximately 95% of all cervical cancers.

It is not the ONLY cause of cervical cancer. Chronic strep infections as well as other infections if untreated, as well as other cancers that have migrated to the cervix (though if it started in the lung then migrated to cervix it is still called lung cancer...)

Some times cancer strikes for no apparent reason.

Now your father could be correct if the equipment used was not cleaned properly, as does happen in areas where money and resources may not have been the best, the virus could have been harbored on the equipment. (there was a time in which even gloves were not used...)

Now if you are concerned you should have yearly PAP exams and you can even be tested for HPV with blood work. Prevention and early detection is the key here.

Answer 4

Well I dont believe your mother got cervical cancer from the instruments sweetie...and with the advances they are making in medicine I dont think you should be too worried about that just yet. The way it works is that when someone in your family has had cancer they just watch you a little more closely because the risk of you getting it is higher. This means that if you do get it then they find it sooner and have a greater chance or curing you. So dont worry too much about this for now. I am sorry to hear about your mother. Good luck...

Answer 5

FYI, there is a new vaccine for HPV called Gardasil. It's been all over the news recently. You should ask you dr about it because it can greatly reduce your risk of getting cervical cancer from HPV. There has actually been some talk of giving this vaccine to all women of a certain age in order to reduce cases of cervical cancer world wide, but I think that has been controversial so far. Wish I could remember more about it right now, but try searching for "gardasil" online & you might find some more info

Answer 6

Cervical cancer is almost always caused by the virus HPV, but no...your mom did not get it from the instruments used during her surgery. She likely had the virus for a very long time and your dad likely had no idea if he had it since it often causes absolutely no symptoms in men. You are not at higher risk for contracting HPV just because your mom did, but you should make sure to have your regular pap smears every year and take care of yourself.

Answer 7

Sorry to hear about your mom.

A friend of mine also lost her mother that way.

You are considered to be at higher risk for cervical cancer if you've had an immediate family member that had it. Not all cervical cancers start from HPV or STDs. They will probably recommend that you are very consistent with your check-ups and may want you to go every 6 months rather than once per year.

Here's some more information:
http://www.nccc-online.org/

Answer 8

Just because your mom had the unfortunate cancer, it doesn't mean that you will have it. If it makes you feel safer talk to your doctor or another adult (depending upon how old you are). Let someone close to you know that you are concerned. All women later in life are urged to be tested regularly for cervical cancer and other possible fatal diseases. I am sorry that you are having to deal with losing your mom; my mom died in a car accident when I was only 5. Don't be bothered or scared because you have questions, it is only natural to wonder...

Answer 9

Cervical cancer is associated with a few strains of HPV, which is usually acquired sexually. It is extremely unlikely...I would even say impossible...for it to be transferred by surgical instruments.

Cervical cancer is not spread directly that way either. While your mom may have only had your father as a sexual partner, you didn't say how many sexual partners he had before her. HPV is usually carried by males and passed to females.

HPV has nothing to do with HIV, that is a different virus.

The only way to be sure of detecting cervical cancer is to have a regular Pap test, at least every 2 years after becoming sexually active.

Answer 10

Cervical cancer is not a contagious disease, caused by HIV or AIDs. If you are worried have some testing done by a gynecologist. It is possible that you are at a higher risk of getting it since your mother had it, but I wouldn't worry too much about something you have no control over. As far as getting cancer from unsterilized surgical tools, I highly doubt it, but again, check with a doctor or a specialist.

Answer 11

No, it has nothing to do with surgical instruments.
It's more likely your dad could have had an std.
If your mom did not smoke, then it could have been transmitted thru an std.
There was a study going around a few years ago that linked promiscuous women to cervical cancer abnormalities.
But you say your mom did not sleep around to your knowledge.

You can always do research on the web by googling the subject, if you can't get the info straight from her doctor.