Marissa Jaret Winokur wants you to get the digene HPV test
Marissa Jaret Winokur’s journey to motherhood is not typical and she wants to make sure that yours doesn’t go the same way. In 2000, at the age of 27, just as her Broadway career was starting to explode, Marissa’s gynecologist called with bad news- her pap smear came back abnormal. Follow-up tests confirmed that she had cervical cancer that was advanced enough to require a radical hysterectomy. Though fertility was the last thing on her mind at the time, fortunately, her ovaries were saved.
She moved past the surgery and went on to win a Tony for her role as Tracy Turnblad on Broadway. Until last year, Marissa had given little thought to the long-term impact of the cancer and what had caused it- it had robbed her of the ability to become pregnant. After an arduous process of egg retrieval and fertilization and finding a surrogate to carry their baby, Marissa and her husband, TV writer Judah Miller, now await the birth of their son Zev around July 22nd.
Click Continue Reading to find out what the HPV test is and why Marissa wants you to get it.
At a baby shower-themed press conference hosted at the gorgeous penthouse at the Hudson Hotelyesterday by cancer diagnostics company QIAGEN, Marissa shared herroller coaster of a tale. Guests dined on salads, finger sandwiches,quiche Lorraine, yogurt parfaits, pastel cupcakes, baby blue and yellowjelly beans. Though she received a few gifts (like a Pottery Barnbassinet from QIAGEN and goodies from New York City babyboutique, Yoya Mart), Marissa had requested that, in lieu of gifts, herguests share her story. She believes can prevent other womenfrom going through what she went through by getting a test that is notyet regularly offered at a woman’s annual checkup (with the exceptionof patients of the Kaiser Permanente Health System in California whereit is mandated). Marissa is confident that had she been given the digene HPV test(made by QIAGEN), her cervical cancer would have been detected in its earliest stages. She said that if the diagene test was as standard as a Paptest, she wouldn’t need to talk about it (as much).
Though it is the second most common type of cancer that strikeswomen (breast cancer is #1), most women know little about cervicalcancer. The controversial Gardasil "one less" vaccine for girls 9-26 that gives protection against certain strains of the human papillomavirus (aka HPV), a common sexually transmittedinfection, that can cause cervical cancer and genital warts. Because there is a lot of stigma over sexually transmitted infections, many assume that only sexually promiscuous women can get HPV and therefore cervical cancer yet 80% of women will be exposed to at least oneof the over 100 strains of HPV by the time they are 50.
In most cases, the immune system fights off or suppressesthe virus before it can cause cancer without the woman even knowing.But for the minority whose bodies do not fight off HPV, QIAGEN says thedigene HPV test can detect the high risk strainsbefore cancerous cells are formed. The virus is then monitored over timeto see if they grow. If they do, the cancerous cells can be removed viaminimal surgery or freezing and therefore keeping a woman’s fertilityin tact. It is suggested that, in addition to the annual Pap test, the digene HPV test be given to every woman over the age of 30 every3-4 years.
For more info about the test, visit www.thehpvtest.com. In order to raise awareness of the existence of the vaccine, not only has the company hired Marissa as a spokesperson, they are donating $1 for every woman who pledges to spread the word and/or gets the test.
Does Marissa’s endorsement of the digene HPV test (not the Gardasil vaccine) inspire you to ask your gynecologist to get it for yourself? Please note that Marissa feels every woman over 30 should be given the digene HPV test every 3-4 years- she is in no way promoting Gardasil. Have you or anyone in your life been affected by HPV and/or cervical cancer?
- Posted on Jun 10, 08 at 4:41PM
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- 40 Comments
June 10th, 2008 at 4:55 pm
A dear family friend died at age 31 of cervical cancer, after battling it off and on for about three years. She was a single mom to a beautiful boy who was six when she died and contracted HPV through her ex-husband. He was her only sexual partner and had been unfaithful during the marriage. Watching what she went though was awful. I am now pregnant with twin girls and will not hesitate to get them vaccinated against HPV when they are older.
June 10th, 2008 at 5:00 pm
I’m not 30, so I don’t qualify for the test, but I’m very wary of Gardisil. I don’t think there has been enough research. It has been shown to cause infertility in mice. I think society is too quick to jump on new vaccinations and other medicines.That’s prove to lead to disaster in the past. Look at DES.
June 10th, 2008 at 5:08 pm
Absolutely! What a touching story and great knowledge to have! So many people are aware of the Gardisil shot, however many women do not know to ask for this simple test in conjunction with their Pap.
June 10th, 2008 at 5:18 pm
I believe you can have the test under 30, it’s just recommended for ALL women over 30? Am I right or wrong?
June 10th, 2008 at 5:38 pm
As someone who had HPV at one point, I applaud Marissa’s efforts toward educating women about getting tested.
Luckily, I always had regular gyno appointments and my HPV was detected before it could become anything else. I’ve had normal test results for the past two years, and I’ve been assured by my doctor that I’m now in the clear. This is so incredibly common. My doctor told me that the majority of women have it at some point in their life, but most never even know. It’s SO important to get checked out, especially since it could lead to cervical cancer if undetected.
June 10th, 2008 at 5:44 pm
i just turn 26 last month and i got two of the HPV shots. i just need one more i am done.
June 10th, 2008 at 5:49 pm
I just finished my three sets of Gardasil Vaccine. I’m trying to protect myself and this vaccine immune you for life against HPV which can cause cervical cancer. I never read of any risks of infertility by taking the shot. The side effects I read about were pain in the area of the injection, diarrhea, and nausea.
June 10th, 2008 at 5:49 pm
30 is just the precautionary start. my mom and sister both had positive tests for hpv at age 19. my sister had it frozen, and is being monitered still, and she is barely 20. she’s always telling me i need to go in, but i haven’t since my kids, because i have no insurance.
June 10th, 2008 at 5:53 pm
I strongly advocate public awareness of cervical cancer. Having a regular pap test can mean the cancer is caught earlier, which means it will be easier to treat. However, I think your statistic about cervical cancer being the second most common cancer in women is incorrect (or misleading). According to the American Cancer Society, for the US, lung cancer is the second most common cancer diagnosed in women, followed by colon.
June 10th, 2008 at 5:54 pm
I go for pap tests every year but I haven’t heard of the digene test. I’m going to request it during my next visit !!
June 10th, 2008 at 6:08 pm
I have a 14-year-old daughter and will not allow her to have this vaccine. I’m with Kate – I don’t believe enough research has been done and will not subject my daughter to possible problems with it in the future. Just because our government says it is safe does not mean I should believe them and I don’t.
June 10th, 2008 at 6:29 pm
I’m big about yearly screenings. My mom had cervical cancer in her late 20’s, when I was about 4. She couldn’t have any other children because of the surgery she had to have. That said, I have no plans on getting the Gardasil for myself. I don’t have a daughter, but if I do I’ll look at it at that time. Right now though, it’s too new of a vaccine & if I don’t feel comfortable getting it for myself I wouldn’t give it to my daughter.
June 10th, 2008 at 6:48 pm
HPV is SO SO SO common and fairly misunderstood. Most people do not know just how common it is and just how you can get it.
I am glad she is trying to educate people about the test for HPV and I believe it should be offered to more women. I have a 4 year old girl and another one on the way and as of now I will not be getting either one of them vaccinated with Gardasil because I feel it is simply too new and unknown. I am 23 and I will not be getting it either.
I had HPV at one point, but my body was able to fight it off.
June 10th, 2008 at 6:53 pm
I won’t get the vaccine even though they say to by 25. I just don’t like injecting myself with things that aren’t quite researched enough. That’s just my opinion.
But as a person who is surrounded with family members who have passed away from cancer it is very scary to say the least.
June 10th, 2008 at 7:02 pm
Angel and Kate,I have to disagree. I’m scared your comments will make women who read this blog not want to get the vaccine. I hope people will discuss their worries with their doctors. If I had to choose between cancer or taking a vaccine, I’m going for the vaccine. I plan to do that later this year
June 10th, 2008 at 7:03 pm
A woman doesn’t have to be sexually promiscuous (many partners) to get it, but it is from being sexually active.
The promotion of the vaccine doesn’t mention that at all, and I think that’s very wrong.
June 10th, 2008 at 7:10 pm
I got pregnant when I was 23 years old. During my initial prenatal exam, the pap came back abnormal. I miscarried at 7 weeks, and they told me then about the abnormal pap. It turned out to be HPV. Luckily, it was at an early stage and I was treated with cryotherapy and went on to have 2 healthy beautiful boys. 16 years later, I still get regular pap smears and I do get this test, because HPV is never cured.
June 10th, 2008 at 7:33 pm
I’m 17 and i’m on the gardasil shot, I go for my third shot in a week — (I haven’t been active yet).
I have had 2 women in my family die from this type of cancer, my Grandma on Mom’s side, and my Grandma my Dad’s side. When they had this type of cancer apparently not alot could be done. My Aunt also had it and becuase of it was never able to have children.
My sister (21) has just gotten her second shot and in 3 months gets her last one.
To us the risk is to great, we feel for us it’s the best choice. Talk to your Doctor, don’t be afraid to ask questions, I was nervous at first, but I feel like I made the right choice for me, for my body.
June 10th, 2008 at 7:35 pm
I’m confused by this vaccination. I too am not one that jumps on board simply because of the ‘fear factor’. It’s not offered to us here in NZ but I’m sure it’s only a matter of time. But the information above states ‘Gardasil gives protection against certain strains of the human papillomavirus’ and then further it mentions there are over 100 strains. So certainly you can conclude that the Gardasil vaccine will not eliminate cervical cancer all together. So what guarantee are you getting with this vaccine? That you just won’t get 10 out of the 100 strains? Well shoot, you may never get it in your lifetime anyway or on the flip side you may get it from the other 90+ strains it doesn’t protect you from.
June 10th, 2008 at 7:52 pm
I’m just very confused, after reading all these comments. I was thinking about getting the Gardisil vaccine but now I don’t know if I want it! Obviously, I’ll have to do a lot more research before I do it.
I think spreading the word about cervical cancer is so, so important. Spreading the word about cancer period is important. My grandma (the healthiest person in our family) was just diagnosed with colon cancer. Her doctor had urged her to get a colonoscopy a few years ago but she didn’t think she had cancer. Don’t we all?
I’m definitely going to be talking to my doctor about this in more depth.
June 10th, 2008 at 7:54 pm
I too have had HPV. I’m now clear of it, but my Dr. preformed the test when I had it, and it was the more prominiant strain that causes cervical cancer. Fortunately it never came to that. Your body will eventually clear itself of HPV if you get it, although it can take a few years. So with regular testing of HPV, and regular paps, people should be fine to not get the vaccine if they choose not too. Just make sure you go to the gyno regularly, especially b/c this is the most prominant STD, sometimes featuring symptoms and sometimes not. Always remember to protect yourself and be proactive in your health.
June 10th, 2008 at 7:59 pm
Christi,the vaccine protects against four strains of HPV that responsible for 70% of cervical cancer cases and genital warts.
June 10th, 2008 at 8:04 pm
Stephany, smart decision to talk it over with your doctor. I hope people don’t make quick judgments based off of information on the Internet when it comes to their health. I plan on getting the shots later this year because I’ll be talking with my doctor about it first.
June 10th, 2008 at 8:06 pm
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE DO NOT LISTEN TO THE COMMENTORS HERE FOR ADVICE ON THE VACCINE!!!!! THEY ARE NOT DOCTORS!!!!!!
I am 24 years old. My gynecologist has been advising me to get the vaccine for over a year now. I have yet to get it because I am wary of how new it is, HOWEVER, I am not a doctor. And I assume that neither are the people commenting here. If you are thinking about the vaccine please consult a doctor. People commenting here are only voicing their opinions, which they have a right to, but that does not mean that they know better. I admire Marissa greatly for speakly out about this disease and putting a face to something that has been so taboo for so long. It is an incredibly common virus that can have deadly consequences. If you are worried about it, please please please consult a doctor.
June 10th, 2008 at 8:06 pm
Hey everybody…just to clarify a few things, I’m certainly not an expert but I know a little. I’m currently a 3rd year medical student who actually just received her last gardasil shot about 6 months ago. What I’ve learned in school is that with regards to HPV there are over 100 strains known to cause infection. However, in particular, there appear to be 4 strains that are the most prevalent. These are the 4 that the vaccine will protect you against. Two of them (strains 6, 11) are low risk in terms of causing cervical cancer but are a very common cause of genital warts. The other two (strains 16 and 18) are the two most common versions of the virus that lead to cervical cancer. So basically the vaccine protects you from the 4 most common strains (kind of like the influenza vaccine protects you from the most popular form of influenza circulating in a particular year). Hope this helps….sorry about the long explanation
June 10th, 2008 at 8:31 pm
Ladies, whatever you choose, please remember that vaccination does not protect a woman from all strains of HPV; just the most common. Therefore, it is still of utmost importance to take care to protect yourself and get regular check ups. Just a friendly reminder…take care of yourselves gals!
June 10th, 2008 at 9:15 pm
I found out I had HPV when I was pregnant with my first child after I had an abnormal pap. The doctor did a colposcopy and it was not serious and did not require any action. She told me that the abnormal cells usually clear up when you give birth…I guess it kind of flushes them out. This was the case for me. I have not had an abnormal pap since then and it has been 3 years. One thing I want to point out, though, that I believe people are saying that is incorrect is that you will always have HPV if you were diagnosed with it. It doesn’t go away, or get cured. You can just go on to have normal pap smears after that and it is something you need to monitor. It is not cured, though.
June 10th, 2008 at 9:19 pm
Taylor, I understand what you might be trying to say about some people’s bodies being able to”clear themselves of HPV” but that certainly is NOT the case with all strains. Women DIE from this disease. Therefore not all strains simply vanish without medical intervention. There are extensive procedures and or medicines that need to be peformed and administered for some before HPV is under control. I feel that this line of posting will be very misleading for some women and may cause them not to get the HPV shot. It’s very important to talk to your doctor about your own unique situation. HPV can be deadly.
June 10th, 2008 at 9:20 pm
It will be a year this August since I’ve completed my Gardisil vaccination. My doctor recommended it as I am 21 years old, never been sexually active, and a prime candidate.
She knows how important children are to me and how badly I want them and I do not believe she would’ve encouraged me to get the shots, and given me the paperwork to research it, if she believed it would seriously harm my fertility.
I agree with one of the above posters. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do the research YOURSELF and weigh out the options FOR YOURSELF. It may NOT be right for everyone, but don’t let anyone else sway you. Talk to your doctor, talk with your mother or a close friend if you feel the want to, and research it for yourself.
June 10th, 2008 at 9:48 pm
I am 24 and I finished the Gardasil vaccines a few months ago. My reasoning behind getting the shots were pretty straightforward. My Grandmother died of ovarian cancer when she was in her sixties and cancer is rampant throughout my family. Also, last July I found out that I had an ovarian cyst four inches in diameter and at the time was warned that it could be malignant. Luckily it was benign. However, the Oncologist that I chose asked me if I had started the Gardasil series (I had by then). He said that he HIGHLY recommended it. I have heard wonderful facts about the shot and I would recommend it. If I had a daughter I would have her vaccinated. I do understand the skepticism over Gardasil, but I was willing to go for it since it had been out for a reasonable amount of time.
June 10th, 2008 at 10:10 pm
I am a scientist who screens Pap smears for any HPV-related changes. While I strongly encourage education programs about HPV, this article is a bit misleading.
While the Digene test does detect high-grade HPV strains- the type that if left untreated could become cancer (there are also low grade types that won’t progress) that does not mean treatment will be available earlier, nor does it mean that any pre-cancerous or cancerous changes will manifest. It simply means that the virus is in the body and if the immune system weakens, among other factors, it may cause abnormal changes to the cervix. Until these changes are recognised, for example in a Pap smear, nothing can be done.
Here in Australia, the digene test is used particularly for women who in the past have had pre-cancerous changes that have been treated. The test will detect if the treatment has removed the virus from the body. One reader commented that HPV can’t be ‘cured’. It can be over time, and sometimes the body clears it without us knowing we ever had it, but HPV is so prevelant that you could contract another strain at a later time.
The best way to prevent cervical cancer is to have regular Pap smears. In Australia, the recommended interval is every two years, but this is different in other countries. Check with your doctor what the correct interval for your country is. I must also stress that this includes women who have been vaccinated as the vaccine does not protect against all strains of HPV.
June 10th, 2008 at 10:35 pm
God bless Marissa and glad everything worked out well for her, and she will be a mom soon.
June 11th, 2008 at 2:05 am
It’s interesting and yet sad. I wish her all the best with her son Zev!
June 11th, 2008 at 9:44 am
I love the fact that she is trying to be an advocate for HPV awareness and prevention. It needs to be spoken about and wear down the stigma that is associated with it. You do NOT have to have sexual intercourse in order to acquire 1 of the 100 strains of HPV. I too went through a very similar situation as Marissa at 28 & 10 years later it has spurred me on for advocacy and awareness. My best to Marissa nad her new family!
June 11th, 2008 at 10:52 am
I know some people are going to find this hard to believe, but you can’t always trust what doctors tell you. They’re only human, and they make mistakes too. Just yesterday, my fiance had an appointment with his dermatologist. The dr. tried to prescribe him biologics which are a type of injection that can be used to treat people with certain skin conditions. Fortunately my fiance declined and said that he’d like to research it a little more first. Good thing because after reading up on it a little bit, we discovered that doctors aren’t even supposed to prescribe them unless a TB test and chest x-ray are performed first and also a health history (my fiance’s father has multiple sclerosis and in the fine print of the medication, it warns that it can’t be used in patients who are at increased risk for autoimmune disorders like that). If my fiance had just naively listened to his doctor and taken the treatment, he could have put himself in serious danger! I personally won’t be receiving the gardisil vaccine because I don’t trust anything that hasn’t been researched for at least 15-20 years. I think I’m making an intelligent, educated, informed decision by turning it down but that’s just my choice.
June 11th, 2008 at 2:13 pm
Just so people are aware, you don’t have to be sexually active to contract HPV (”heavy petting” is enough to transmit it), and getting the vaccine after you are already infected with HPV actually increases your cancer risk (yet the manufacturer doesn’t recommend any HPV screening before administering the vaccine).
I’m glad Marissa is spreading the word about better screening tools instead of just the vaccine.
June 11th, 2008 at 4:43 pm
I went for a regular pap test last year and was told I have HPV, just did another test and was told it is still there, but my pap smears are normal. I am hoping this will disappear on it’s own. I am also glad that more and more information is coming out about this virus, because it is serious..
June 11th, 2008 at 5:04 pm
My doctor tried to push me to have the Gradisil shot, but I declined becuase I don’t think there has been enough research on it yet. I am in no way advocating that girls and women shouldn’t get it, but I am just saying make your own informed decision.
I do applaud Marissa for speaking out about this issue though. It is so important for women to take care of their health, and anyone who brings awarness to this issue should be applauded in my book. I am so happy she is healthy now and has her little Zev on the way!!
June 12th, 2008 at 5:29 am
Ash – exactly! I was going to say something about this fact too.
Doctors aren’t always right either. Sure you can ask their opinion but only you will know what is best for you. And plus I would be careful as to who is lining your doctor’s pockets which we seem to never know. It’s risky either way. But everyone makes and does what’s best for themselves, at least you should
June 12th, 2008 at 9:09 am
I got the gardasil shot last year and honestly didn’t think twice about doing it. In the future, if I ever have daughters (or sons, they’re trying to develop one for males) I wouldn’t be against them being vaccinated when they were young. Because while I think the HPV test is important it also isn’t going to catch all strains (some can remain hidden), and if it is only available or recommended to women over a certain age I question what could be happening to women under that age range.
My family has been effected by cervical cancer and I wanted to take precautions against something, I mean it is what could be the first vaccination against a deadly cancer, it seems like the smartest choice.
But in no way am I saying that Gardasil is a replacement for the test, I do plan on being tested as well even after getting the vaccination because there are a few strains of HPV that are not protected by the shot.