Dr. Manwani Saloni Dilip
Obstetrics and Gynecology
The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.
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Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
My 55-year-old mother has just been diagnosed with cervical cancer, stage 1a by FIGO and G1. She needs to undergo surgery involving removing the uterus, ovaries, and lymph nodes.
Before a few months, I kissed and had received oral sex from my mother's previous partner (no intercourse). I am not vaccinated against HPV. Am I at risk? What should I do? In addition, unknowingly, I have been sharing towels with my mother for about two weeks. Could that also be a potential spread risk? If I get infected, can I tell my mother that it was due to sharing towels, instead of oral sex with her partner, as she is under a lot of mental stress and her mental stability is worse at present?
Can I still get vaccinated? I did not have sexual intercourse yet, and I am also afraid to consult and get an internal examination.
Kindly help.
Hello,
Welcome to iclinic.com.
Thank you for your query.
I understand your concern. Cervical cancer has a long latent period. Even though human papillomavirus (HPV) infection (precursor to cancer) can spread through sexual intercourse, it is treatable. HPV does not spread by fomites like sharing towels. Not much has been researched on the spread of HPV through oral sex. In this scenario, I do not think there was enough time for your mother's partner to develop an HPV infection and then pass it on to you. I suggest you to test for HPV infection. If the test comes back negative, take the vaccine. I also suggest getting the person tested with whom you had oral sex.
I hope this has helped you. Thank you.
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
Thank you for the reply.
Even though my mother and her partner had been together for a couple of months, Is there a possibility for him to develop an infection? I assume he did come into contact with HPV since he had sexual contact with my mother when the cancer was probably developing.
Also, where should he get tested?
I have read HPV can cause an infection in the throat and then cancer of the throat. Is there a way to keep an eye on that? Are there oral tests as well? Or the doctor needs to check your throat regularly to see if there are any changes?
Kindly help.
Hello.
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
I understand your concern. Yes, he would not transfer the infection unless he had it. HPV infection does not necessarily develop even though you are exposed to it, in most cases the body's immunity can fight it. A primary care or a general physician should be able to test it for him. You would also need to get your throat examined by a doctor.
I hope this has helped you. Thank you.
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Obstetrics and Gynecology
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