PSA time:
My goals with these posts are to:
HPV is linked to a specific set of cancers—mostly in the anogenital area and the throat:
Per a recent CBC article:
Despite widespread use of HPV shots — and hopeful research from other countries such as Australia, Denmark and Rwanda where vaccination efforts may be close to wiping out cervical cancer — Canada isn’t seeing the same level of progress.
Federal data from 2023 shows 76 per cent of Canadian 14-year-olds had received at least one dose of HPV vaccine, while only 67 per cent had received two doses — with slightly higher uptake among females than males, despite both sexes being impacted by HPV-related cancers.
Some of these cancers can be detected early through screening (especially cervical cancer), but others do not have routine screening programs.
That’s why paying attention to symptoms and advocating for yourself matters—especially since people can fall through the cracks, including those most vulnerable.
Cancer can also appear later in life, when symptoms are easy to dismiss as “just aging.”
Even when treated successfully, the treatment can have lasting effects, plus complications that show up 10-20 years later.
In the past year, I’ve been dealing with some of those long-term effects from radiation.
Scopes found tumours in my bladder, which required removal (TURBT procedure). Thankfully, they were benign and caught early.
Radiation can damage cells in a way that increases the risk of new issues developing years later—so these tumours were not a recurrence, but something new.
Given the pattern and cause, I will likely be on this path multiple times. The next ones shouldn’t be as anxiety causing. Why? I am realizing this is just a journey. For most times, it won’t be cancer, but, if at some point, cancer is found, then, as caught early, there will be options.
A CT scan done earlier showed blockage and swelling in my ureter. There was concern it could be scarring or tumours.
I had another procedure yesterday—and thankfully, it turned out to be scar tissue.
Given the cause, this may be something I deal with again.
But I’m also learning to see it differently: this is part of a long-term journey. Most of the time, it won’t be cancer—but if it ever is, catching it early means options.
That learning helps to reduce anxiety, and I hope it will in others facing investigations.
In closing, please ensure that your family members are vaccinated for HPV. The following dosages are recommended as of 2024 by the NACI
My goals with these posts are to:
- Encourage people to get their family members vaccinated for HPV
- Encourage people to get symptoms checked! Self-advocate, stay informed
- Build resilience around cancer, treatments, and the long-term journey
HPV is linked to a specific set of cancers—mostly in the anogenital area and the throat:
- Cervical cancer (nearly all HPV-related)
- Anal cancer (~80–90%)
- Oropharyngeal (throat) cancer (~60–73%)
- Penile cancer (~40–50%)
- Vaginal & vulvar cancers (~40%)
Per a recent CBC article:
Despite widespread use of HPV shots — and hopeful research from other countries such as Australia, Denmark and Rwanda where vaccination efforts may be close to wiping out cervical cancer — Canada isn’t seeing the same level of progress.
Federal data from 2023 shows 76 per cent of Canadian 14-year-olds had received at least one dose of HPV vaccine, while only 67 per cent had received two doses — with slightly higher uptake among females than males, despite both sexes being impacted by HPV-related cancers.
Some of these cancers can be detected early through screening (especially cervical cancer), but others do not have routine screening programs.
That’s why paying attention to symptoms and advocating for yourself matters—especially since people can fall through the cracks, including those most vulnerable.
Cancer can also appear later in life, when symptoms are easy to dismiss as “just aging.”
Even when treated successfully, the treatment can have lasting effects, plus complications that show up 10-20 years later.
In the past year, I’ve been dealing with some of those long-term effects from radiation.
Scopes found tumours in my bladder, which required removal (TURBT procedure). Thankfully, they were benign and caught early.
Radiation can damage cells in a way that increases the risk of new issues developing years later—so these tumours were not a recurrence, but something new.
Given the pattern and cause, I will likely be on this path multiple times. The next ones shouldn’t be as anxiety causing. Why? I am realizing this is just a journey. For most times, it won’t be cancer, but, if at some point, cancer is found, then, as caught early, there will be options.
A CT scan done earlier showed blockage and swelling in my ureter. There was concern it could be scarring or tumours.
I had another procedure yesterday—and thankfully, it turned out to be scar tissue.
Given the cause, this may be something I deal with again.
But I’m also learning to see it differently: this is part of a long-term journey. Most of the time, it won’t be cancer—but if it ever is, catching it early means options.
That learning helps to reduce anxiety, and I hope it will in others facing investigations.
In closing, please ensure that your family members are vaccinated for HPV. The following dosages are recommended as of 2024 by the NACI
- 1 dose for ages 9–20
- 2 doses for ages 21–26.
- 3 doses for immunocompromised individuals
