What is HPV DNA studies and what should I do?

I took a thin prep pap smear last year and the result shown suggestive with HPV infection. The recommendation shows suggest HPV DNA studies. What is that? How bad/serious is that and what should I do next?What is HPV DNA studies and what should I do?
Some types of HPV cause cervical cancer, and some cause genital warts.



What's interesting, though, is that the genital warts strains can sometimes cause cervical dyplasia, but this would not progress to cancer.



Most gynecologists I know don't actually recommend HPV DNA testing, but it's actually a really good idea!! They can use your pap smear sample (or get a new one) and tell you which strains of HPV you have. If you have one of the cancer-causing ones, they might want to do more tests on you, or follow up with you more frequently. They will do a colposcopy where they examine your cervix under a microscope and might do a biopsy if they see something suspiscious. (This procedure is no big deal!) They might recommend treatment, or just follow ups (probably every 3 months) until the HPV goes away.



If you don't have a cancer-causing strain, your chances of cervical cancer are near zero, so they will probably just have you repeat the pap smear in 6 months or so.



Whatever this is, even if you have a cancer-0causing type of HPV, if you go to all your follow ups, you doctor can treat anything BEFORE it becomes cancer. So no, this is NOT a big deal. It's very common, usually requires NO treatment, and if treatment is required, it's easy treatment and you will be 100% fine.What is HPV DNA studies and what should I do?
HPV DNA testing will determine what type of HPV you have. Some types can cause cervical cancer, other types just cause genital warts. The test can determine if you have a high-risk type of HPV.



**Also Dr Ester, you have been reported for copying and pasting my answer to a previous question which is a violation on Y!A:



http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;鈥?/a>



Please do your own research.