I agree Claire! I think stressing the importance of regular pap tests is so important. I too have had HPV cells removed from my cervix (more than once, it turned into a saga), and I have always been vigilant with my pap smears. BTW, it is not recommended to have the vaccine if you have already had HPV, your specialist was right.

This vaccine is too iffy for me right now, and it worries me that girls who have it will think that they are exempt from cervical cancers and won't have regular (or any) pap smears.