New York City Council Speaker gets good news about HPV diagnosis

NEW YORK (WABC) -- There are new details from New York City council speaker about her health diagnosis. Melissa Mark-Viverito said earlier this week she had high-risk HPV.

On Friday she tweeted, "Just got off the phone with my gynecologist who gave me results. Have low-grade dysplasia, but no cause for concern, and no other action needed."

Dr. Sapna Parikh spoke with Mark-Viverito at her district office in East Harlem on Friday. What she is going through sounds confusing, but it is exactly what so many women go through every day with HPV. That is why she said she spoke out about it.

"The uncertainty can be nerve-wracking," said Mark-Viverito.

Mark-Viverito's biopsy shows that she does not have cervical cancer. The news comes a week after she was first diagnosed with high-risk strains of HPV on a pap smear.

"The high risk could potentially lead to something more severe, and you want to make sure you're getting that information as quickly as possible," Mark-Viverito adds.

Her follow-up tests shows low-grade dysplasia. That means there are slightly abnormal cells, but it is not cancer.

"If we were to take a ruler and measure normal all the way to cancer, low-grade dysplasia is a lot closer to normal than it is to cancer," says. Dr. Sophia Lubin, a gynecologist at Union Community Health Center.

Dr. Lubin says that just like the council speaker, anyone with HPV needs to be closely watched.

"Those additional tests are really what will distinguish you from being a part of people who need additional procedures , and those who can be followed and monitored," Dr. Lubin adds.

HPV, or the Human Papilloma virus is confusing. It puts you at risk for cervical cancer, but does not mean you will get cancer. Sometimes the virus disappears completely, and other times it comes back later in life.

The Council Speaker also tweeted on Friday, "#GYN made it explicitly clear, though, that I need to be back within & no later than 1yr for next visit. Women, make your appts! #GetTested"

The bottom line with HPV is to get tested. If you have it, there is not a reason to assume the worst, but it is a reason to keep a close eye on it.