Question Everything; HPV; and Overheard at CSCL 3331

I cannot simply choose one thing to take away from this course, as though my attendance and blog post submittals were erratic, I truly learned a lot and not only enjoyed the curriculum, but the minds around me. It has been a rare experience in my college life to delve into subjects that actually a) impact me and b) intrigue me, but CSCL 3331 has done just that. Whether it was learning about people whacking off their limbs, GMOs, The Omnivore's Dilemma, State of Fear, or sexuality and so-called sexual taboos, the subject matter was never boring. I have decided to stop listing things we learned, because we were all there (physically or "spiritually"), so the question remains: what is the one thing (the MAIN one thing) that I will be taking away from this class? I could easily simply state quotes that have come out of Robin and Ben's mouths, but I think the key thing I will take away is to always is to always question what you read, scientific "evidence," facts, statistics, and "the only way out."

Much of this semester has been about hearing about truly obscene arenas of knowledge. I never thought I would be learning about Mad Cow Disease or about the Value of Statistical Life in a CSCL class, but I did, and it was important because it made me think. Even my own love and appreciation of Greenpeace had moments where my opinion slightly wavered, as even I do not know how they come up with the money for scientific studies as their revenue does not seem enough for how much they do.

However, since this is my last blog post, (and honestly I have not been keeping up with my blog posts) I would like to discuss something a bit off topic, but still, extremely relevant. If the poster projects or background reports, or hell, even intervention projects were individual, I would have done mine on HPV. HPV is short for human papillomavirus, and it is something that 80 percent of all individuals (that means 8 out of 10 of you guys) will be exposed to over the course of their lifetimes. Then again, who knows what the actual statistic is, because according to this class we have come to learn that most stats are biased and bullshit. However, I will be listing off stats over the course of this post...so "just accept it" or do your own research.

Now before I freak everyone out, I would like to say that studies have shown that most people clear the virus (it is still controversial as to whether it simply lies dormant or your body rids the virus) in 2 years. In fact as many as 90 percent do. Also, the vast majority of people will never have symptoms or health issues pertaining to the virus, which is why pap smears are so important for ladies and why most people never know they have it and pass it on to partners.

HPV is passed by skin to skin contact, that means that condoms are not foolproof, and most doctors will not give you a statistic to how useful they are at preventing transmission of the virus. However, if you dig a bit online they typically state that condoms are about 70 percent effective. You can get HPV vaginally (or on your man junk--come on, let's have humor, we're just talking STDs), anally, and orally. Many doctors insist it's just a way of life and a "marker of sexual experiences." Even if you have been diagnosed, most doctors claim that there is no need to disclose your HPV status to future partners as "if they have had more than one partner, they likely already have been exposed." I personally find this to be problematic and have ethical/moral concerns with this advice.

There are over 100 strains of HPV which are divided into two groups. There are low risk types (those that may cause warts--and guys I'm not talking about those scary images your sex ed teacher showed you in 10th grade to make you become a saint/priest/40 year old virgin) and high risk types (those that have been linked to causing cervical cancer, as well as anal and head and neck cancers). The shitty thing about HPV is you are not tested for it during a STD test, so what ever you guys and gals think about your STD/STI status, could easily be wrong. Another shitty thing is that unless you have symptoms of low risk HPV, there is not a test that is widely used for men (they claim there isn't a test at all, but who knows). When women receive pap smears (girls get yours annually, and don't be an idiot) they check for abnormal cells, if the cells are abnormal you will get a colposcopy and possible biopsies to assess the degree of abnormal cell changes, which are characterized as HSIL or LSIL and CIN. There is CIN1 (mild cervical dysplasia), CIN2 (moderate), and CIN3 (severe or carcinoma in-situ--the last stage before cervical cancer). There is also an HPV test and they can test to find out what strain you have to better assess your situation, as some never cause cancer or are less likely or are slower to progress. If you have CIN1, it is likely doctors will recommend to watch and wait; CIN2 or CIN3 they will likely recommend a LEEP or cervical conization. There are also natural remedies which are unknown to most in the medical world, which I will discuss later.

So why in the world am I bringing up STDs in what is supposed to be a happy and reflective piece? Because I have HPV. Unfortunately, many of you do too, though you do not know it. The problem is that most people never talk about their HPV status and because of that it is still a taboo subject. I think that is a problem, as people should be more aware about what is going on with their bodies. I am a very healthy person. People in the class probably perceive me to be some sort of naive liberal hippie with no care about modern medicine or those around me since I am unvaccinated (you can get the Gardasil shot against HPV, but it only protects against four of the most common strains) and outspoken in regards to my vegan ways. Despite my healthy daily regimen, I am one of the few people who has had issues with HPV, which I found out about last semester at my first pap (GET YOUR PAPS LADIES!) right after my 21st birthday. My initial colpo/biopsies came back with CIN1 and focal CIN3 and then my colop/biopsies in March of this year came back CIN2 and CIN3. My gyno stressed the importance of getting a LEEP, and I was scared, so I considered it. This is a video of a LEEP procedure, and it is GRAPHIC. It is also why I did not want to get one. However it was a moment of truth in which I had to decide whether or not I would be a hypocrite and turn my back on natural medicine the one time I needed it, or whether I would put faith in my beliefs. I chose the latter and for the last month I have been seeing a naturopath twice weekly for escharotic treatments and have been on a strict dietary and supplement regimen. This is an awesome blog about a girl who went the natural route: Bueller's Kitchen.

I would go into more detail about my protocol, and if anyone wants to ask or is in a similar situation, I would be more than happy to tell people more about my experience with trying to reverse my cervical dysplasia and HPV naturally. I will say this, my naturopath has been practicing for 30 years and has had a 97 to 98 percent success rate and has only had a couple patients need to come back and get treated a second time.

The reason I wanted to share this with the class is because I spent months obsessing over HPV and searching the internet for facts, statistics, and anecdotal experiences. I know that there will be people in this class who will contract this virus (in fact most will) and I wanted to let people know that for the vast majority, it really is not a big deal as people have been exposed to many viruses without complications. However, there are people who do have to be proactive and treat this, whether it be by following the traditional medicine route or the natural route, or a combination of both. Regardless it is important to take care of ourselves. I wanted to help bring awareness so people know how widespread HPV truly is. Hopefully by sharing it will not be as "taboo" to everyone, as for now it seems to be machtpolitik. And guys, just because you cannot be tested for this does NOT mean you do not have it and cannot pass it on. Yes, this is something that primarily impacts women (penile, anal, and oral cancers are FAR more rare than cervical), but you can still pass on the virus, so it is bullshit that women have the burden of disclosure and have to worry about rejection due to men being unable to know their HPV status, despite being responsibly tested for STDs.

I am grateful for this course because the realm of science studies helped me think analytically about my own experience with HPV, especially when doing research to decide how to handle my own health. Of course this is not the only thing I learned in this class, but for me, it is the one thing that sticks out most, and I will continue to find my own paths and question the information and advice given to be, even when given by "medical professionals" and "experts."

To end on a lighter note I would like to simply "spit out" some quotes and notes I jotted down from listening to Robin, Ben, and my peers. I will not specify who said what as I do not want to get anyone in trouble, so consider this the CSCS 3331 "Overheards."

• Robin believes that the brain can be reshaped by experience. 
• "It is full of Suburus and lesbians, Vermont is just fine."
• "Do we know more? Yes, much more, but we've forgotten so much..."
• "I want to go out there and fight, fuck, and bench press." 
• "He's just a nasty little hipster who can't get anything right while everyone else is fucking like bunnies."
• "A fact does not equal fact."
• "Why are we talking about millions of people when we are talking about the individual?"
• "Collective wisdom of individuals is right."
• "What can we as scientists make of sexuality?"
• "We don't know if [truer] is in the Oxford dictionary, but we like it anyway since we are from the post-Colbert generation."
• "Read it and weep fucker, got your umlauts right here!"
• "Tell that to an adaptionist evolutionary theory!"
• "I hope someone comes Thursday instead of pregaming for Cancun."
• "What's for breakfast? Jameson."
• "Cops need Robbers."
• "In my complete attempt to get fired continuously, I will mention once again: I'm a sucker for butch lesbians."
• "What is BAMF?"
• "I'm really digging your apparel today."
• "I'm totally talking like a cultural studies hipster right now."
• "There was a professor who required proper spelling on course evaluations because he was tired of reading that he was a 'Dutch Bag.'"
• *Ahem* "Marxist." "How does that make me a marxist that I don't listen to what you say?"
• "Haha sorry honey, biology made me this way and nothing you say can change that, so nice butt honey... I hope you realize there were quotation marks around that."
• "My arm is a communist, it's red. It has star on it... that's fucking nutty."
• Latour would argue that science studies is a form of science. 
• "WE BE DONE!"

And with that I am done... except the following links (that have nothing to do with my post for the most part, but are of interest):

Benjamin Button Disease Brothers Age Reversing
Baking Soda as an Effective for Cancer
10 Things They Don't Tell You at Graduation
Relationship Tips: Date a girl who travels.
Food Combining Chart
http://www.veganpoet.com/articles/dogs-can-be-vegan-too.htm
Another Natural Getting Rid of HPV Blog with GREAT LINKS Attached
HPV and Cervical Cancer Coalition Blogging/Journaling/Discussion/Forum Site

And that's all folks!