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You may have heard that the human papillomavirus, a sexually transmissible infection (STI), can cause cancer in rare cases. What is HPV? Did you know there is a vaccine to prevent HPV? You can also get certain types of HPV even if you don’t have sex.
1. HPV is a complex virus that can cause a variety of cancers.
HPV is not just one virus type. It’s more than 200 related types. HPV can be used to cause different types of cancers. For instance, one type can cause genital squamous cell carcinomas and another can cause genital squamous cells.
There are approximately 14 types that are high-risk cancers.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that HPV causes more than 37,00 cases of cancer each year in the United States. however, 9 out of 10 HPV infected people will have the infection clear up on their own. This makes it less likely that cancer can be caused.
2. At least one HPV type is likely to affect you in your lifetime.
Most sexually active people in the United States will contract at least one HPV type in their lifetime.
3. HPV is usually not a symptomatic disease.
Most HPV infections do not cause symptoms. This means that most people with HPV are unaware they have it.
4. HPV high-risk causes cervical cancer and other cancers.
HPV can cause cancer in people of any gender, not just women. In fact, CDC data shows that, in the United States, 4 of 10 HPV-caused cases of cancer are in men.
The high-risk HPV types can cause cancer of not only the cervix, but also the vagina, anus, vulva, penis and the back part of the throat including the base and tonsils.
Recent research shows that men living with HIV and especially those who have had sex with other men are at a higher risk of developing HPV caused anal cancer. However, early treatment is crucial to improve outcomes.
5. Even high-risk HPV infections clear up on their own.
Wald says that most people who acquire HPV do so shortly after they become sexually active, but show no symptoms. The majority of people will clear their infection, including the high-risk strains, within two years.
Only a small percentage of women will have a persistent infection. Wald says that it is these women who should be concerned about cervical cancer.
6. In some cases, a single dose of HPV vaccine can still be beneficial.
CDC recommends that children under 15 years old receive two doses at least six-months apart. People between 15 and 26 years of age and those with immunodeficiency should get three doses.
New research shows that a single dosemay be just as effective.
Wald says that even if U.S. guidelines don’t change, showing that one dose can protect against HPV will be helpful to people in countries with fewer resources.
HPV vaccines were fewer in number between 2019 and 2020. This increased the risk of HPV-related cancers. The World Health Organization (WHO), updated its guidelines in December 2022 to recommend single doses of the HPV vaccine to improve access, especially for girls aged nine to fourteen.
can be injected into all children starting at age 11, and HPV is also injected into some older people. According to the CDC, recommends that all children under 26 years old get vaccinated. Some people can be vaccinated up until age 45 if they were not vaccinated as children.
7. HPV can be transmitted without sexual contact.
HPV cannot be transmitted by bodily fluids like semen or saliva. It can only be spread through skin-toskin contact. Sexual contact such as vaginal sex, oral sex, and anal sex is the easiest way to transmit HPV. HPV can enter your body through mucous membranes such as the mouth, lips, the anus, and even parts of the genitals.
When used correctly, a condom can reduce the risk of HPV infection. It’s not 100% but it has some effect. The HPV virus is mainly found in the skin of the penis. If you cover the shaft, you will make some progress. “But vaccines are more effective. Vaccinating people is definitely the most effective way to prevent infection,” Wald says.
8. The risk of cervical carcinoma is higher for partners of uncircumcised males than those of circumcised men.
Historical data shows that Jewish and Muslim women have a lower risk of cervical cancer.
Wald says that people thought this must be connected to the male partner circumcision. So they investigated it. They found that circumcision does reduce the risk of HPV for men and, therefore, the risk that HPV can be transmitted from men to woman.
9. The screening is only for HPV-caused cervical cancer.
The American Cancer Society recommends women and those born female who are aged between 25 and 65 years old get tested for HPV at least every five years.
The HPV vaccine is one of the reasons that you should give it to boys. This is why you should give boys the HPV vaccination.
Studies have shown that HPV oral screening is possible. One method currently used is oral testing during a regular dentist appointment. There are currently no FDA-approved oral tests, and the CDC doesn’t recommend screening men for oral HPV despite the fact that cases of cancer related to HPV have increased in recent years.
10. HPV-related cervical cancer increases the risk of vulvar cancer.
The same HPV types linked to cervical carcinoma are also linked with cancer of the vulva. Women and people who were assigned female at birth, but are infected by HPV, or have a history with cervical dysplasia, have an increased risk of developing vulvar carcinoma.
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