HPV and fear of cancer go hand in hand for most women dealing with HPV healing. This article discusses some general understanding around HPV risks, the effects of fear on the body, and some coping methods around mastering your fears. When you understand and know how to deal with your fears, then you are ready to start your HPV healing journey!
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a common virus that affects both men and women. In most cases, the body's immune system is able to clear the virus on its own, and there are no long-term health effects. However, in some cases, the virus can lead to the development of cervical cancers in women.
The risk of developing cervical cancer from HPV is highest for women who have been infected with high-risk types of the virus, such as HPV 16 and HPV 18. These types of HPV are responsible for about 70% of cervical cancer cases. Women who have been infected with these types of HPV are at a higher risk of developing cervical cancer than women who have not been infected.
About 90% of women who have been infected with HPV will clear the virus on their own within two years
However, it's important to note that not all women who have been infected with HPV will develop cervical cancer. In fact, the majority of women who have been infected with HPV will not develop cervical cancer. The National Cancer Institute (NCI) estimates that about 90% of women who have been infected with HPV will clear the virus on their own within two years.
Moreover, cervical cancer usually develops over many years, so it's important to detect it early through regular cervical cancer screening, such as the Pap test and HPV test. These tests can detect abnormal cells in the cervix before they turn into cancer. If abnormal cells are found, you are in a good position to do something about it early on.
Many Women who are diagnosed with HPV or Cervical cell changes, are scared of getting cancer. The fear is increased by Dr. Google and often also by the Doctors. The fear can be paralyzing and very stressful and is totally counterproductive to healing.
Fear is a natural human emotion that can be triggered by a wide range of situations, from everyday stressors to traumatic events. When we experience fear, our bodies release hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol, which are designed to help us respond to danger. These hormones can help us to feel more alert and focused, but they can also have negative effects on our health. One of the most significant ways that fear can impact our health is by causing stress.
Stress is the body's response to any demand or threat. When we feel stressed, our bodies release hormones that prepare us to fight or flee. These hormones can help us to feel more alert and focused, but they can also have negative effects on our health. Stress can weaken our immune system, making us more susceptible to infections and illnesses. This is because stress hormones can suppress the activity of immune cells, making it harder for our bodies to fight off germs and viruses.
One of the most significant ways that fear can impact our health is by causing stress.
For women, the effects of stress and fear on the immune system can be particularly problematic. Women's immune systems are already more vulnerable to the effects of stress than men's, due to the hormonal changes that occur during menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause. This means that women are more likely to experience infections and illnesses when they are under stress.
Moreover, women are more likely to experience certain types of stress, such as caregiver stress, which can also have an impact on immune function. Caregiver stress is the everyday stress that women feel when they are caring for others in their family. This type of stress can cause a range of physical and emotional symptoms, including fatigue, anxiety, and depression. It can also weaken the immune system, making women more susceptible to infections and illnesses.
This is why self-care is such an important factor in healing for many women! First we need to look after our OWN health, in order to be there for others!
Overcoming fears can be challenging, but there are several methods that you can do to help them to face their fears and overcome them.
First we need to look after our OWN health, in order to be there for others!
One of the most effective methods is exposure therapy. Exposure therapy involves gradually exposing yourself to the thing that you are afraid of, in a controlled and safe environment. If you are afraid of developing cancer, the thing to do it educate yourself on the topic of HPV and cancer. Take the unknown out of your fear and face it with facts and knowledge. Often fears come from lack of knowledge around the specific topic. When you are educated around the topic of HPV, you are in a position of control to take informed and empowered decisions for your health. When you have the knowledge, you don’t have to let yourself be sucked into the fear mongering of the Doctors or the Internet! It is a very empowering experience!
Another method that can be done to overcome fears is journaling. Journaling is a great way to process thoughts and feelings related to your fears. It can help you to identify patterns in your thoughts, and to recognize the triggers that cause your fears. You can also write down your successes and challenges as you work through your fears, which can be a powerful motivator to keep going.
A third method that can be done is visualization. Visualization is a powerful tool that can help you to overcome your fears by creating a mental image of yourself successfully dealing with the thing that scares you. It can be helpful to visualize yourself in a situation where you would normally feel afraid, and to imagine yourself feeling calm and in control. You can also visualize yourself achieving a goal that is related to your fear, such as seeing your perfectly healthy and smooth cervix in front of you. All the cells in your body are working together in perfect harmony to create a healthy cervix and the HPV virus is safely tucked away in a prison cell, never to escape.
Don’t wait, don’t procrastinate! Start your healing journey NOW
No matter which method or combination of methods you choose to use to overcome your HPV related fears, the important thing is to take action on your healing journey! Don’t wait until you have enough knowledge, until you no longer feel afraid, until you have a PHD in women's health…. You will never have enough knowledge, so just start NOW! I even feel like I don’t have enough knowledge sometimes, you just NEVER stop learning!
Don’t wait, don’t procrastinate! Start your healing journey NOW and then adapt your choices along the way according to the new knowledge you acquire.
In a few weeks the doors will open to my new HPV group course where you will be guided to put together a solid healing plan for your HPV. Sign up on the waitlist HERE and be the first to be informed when the doors to the course open!
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