While human papilloma virus, or HPV, is a well-known cause of cervical cancer, there’s a lot more you should know about this common infection.
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Ob/Gyn Oluwatosin Goje, MD, shares seven things you probably didn’t know about HPV.
HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 79 million people are currently infected, and it’s estimated that almost everyone who’s sexually active will end up with at least one strain of HPV at some point.
In fact, only about a dozen strains of HPV are known to cause cancer, and two particular strains — HPV 16 and 18 — are responsible for about 70% of all cervical cancers. Some strains cause warts, but not cancer, and some strains cause no problems at all.
HPV is the leading cause of anal cancer and oropharyngeal cancer (cancer of the back of the throat). It’s also responsible for about half the cases of penile and vulvar cancer and about two thirds of vaginal cancer cases.
Actor Michael Douglas made headlines back in 2013 when he announced that he got throat cancer, not by drinking and smoking, but from HPV. In fact, white, nonsmoking men age 35 to 55 are most at risk for oral and oropharyngeal cancers caused by HPV; they’re four times more likely than women to develop these cancers.
Penile and anal cancer, while rare, are also caused by HPV.
Although there are ways to test for at least some kinds of HPV infections, the results don’t always tell you much about your cancer risk.
HPV infections often resolve on their own thanks to the body’s natural immune response, which means that you might test positive only to find out a few years later that you no longer have HPV at all. Testing is not a reliable way to screen for cancer or cancer risk.
Despite the limits of testing, it’s still a good idea for women to get a Pap test every few years (based on guidelines ) and for men and women to watch for other signs of HPV-related cancers so that you can catch any problems early. Here are some general recommendations.
It’s always a good idea to talk to your doctor about any changes you notice in these parts of your body.
Although HPV is widespread and in most cases doesn’t cause problems, there are ways to minimize your risks.
Knowing your risks and watching for changes in your body will go a long way toward limiting the chances that you will have problems with HPV-related cancers. Talk to your doctor if you have questions or suspect a problem.
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