I hadn’t heard of the human papillomavirus (HPV) before my routine well woman exam in 2004. But when my gynecologist asked if I’d like to be tested for HPV, I agreed to do so since I was already there. I wasn’t having any issues or symptoms, so I wasn’t worried. 

Then the results came back: I had tested positive for the strands of the virus linked to cervical cancer. My doctor assured me I was OK, but said that I’d need an...