Testimonial: HPV and transplant: an issue not to be overlooked

The human papilloma virus, or HPV, infects the skin and can cause genital warts. In some cases, HPV can also cause cancer of the vagina, penis, anus, mouth, and throat. One reader wanted to warn us of the consequences, by encouraging young women and men to get vaccinated against this virus.

I am undergoing gynecology-oncology and I have to have surgery for the second time in two years for pre-cancerous genital lesions. These lesions are caused by the HPV virus, which affects 70% of the general population. This virus can cause genital warts, and in the worst cases, cervical cancer. When one is transplanted and immunosuppressed, the body is unable to defend itself on its own, so HPV often mutates into a higher-grade virus, greatly increasing the risk of developing cancerous lesions or cancer.

My attending physician says that he is seeing more and more transplant patients who come to consult for such pathologies. A simple solution to this problem is the HPV vaccine, Gardasil. According to him, all women with cystic fibrosis should have the vaccine right away, as the chances of developing severe symptoms later are very high. I received this vaccine several years after the transplant, once the problem was discovered. It does not prevent the lesions from coming back because they are caused by a strain of HPV that is already present in my system. However, the vaccine may prevent the development of other HPV strains later on. If I knew, I would have had the vaccine before the transplant. But we are not told about it in the pre-transplant procedures.

However, I know that I am far from being the only one in this situation. I think that perhaps we should raise awareness among people going for a transplant in order to avoid annoying problems that could occur later. For HPV, no matter how well you treat the lesions that appear, they always come back eventually. The other professionals who take care of our “external injuries” to transplantation are trying to help us, as they encounter more and more problem cases, but the number of solutions remains limited.

I know that the transplant team and those at the CF clinics are doing everything they can to help us, but we must not forget that we continue to have problems related in some way to cystic fibrosis, in addition to everything else. I strongly believe that sometimes we would need better support from them, to help us manage our other health problems that remain after the transplant.

But we also have a responsibility to take care of ourselves: that's why I want to launch a call to all people living with cystic fibrosis, girls and guys (because it concerns you too!). It is important to request the HPV vaccine, Gardasil. Talk to the professionals at your clinic. The transplant is still a miracle in itself, it is true, but it does not solve everything. This often leads to a lot more complications than people might imagine.

Mrs. A.

Editor's note: Condoms are always the best option!

Condoms are the preferred method because they prevent both an unwanted pregnancy and the transmission of most sexually transmitted infections (STIs). In addition, it is affordable, easy to use and easy to drag. In the case of HPV, even if a condom is used, transmission is still possible for infected areas such as thighs, buttocks, testicles, etc. In other words, areas that are not covered by the condom. The HPV vaccine is offered free of charge to girls under the age of 18. Since symptoms can take a long time to develop, it is important for women to get a regular Pap test as recommended by their doctor.

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