HPV - The Cancer Causing STD
by: Renee Volney, DO, MBA

If you are a young, soon-to-be or already sexually active female, this lesson should definitely raise your antennas.  With the recent introduction of the HPV vaccine, protecting young women against cervical cancer has become a hot topic in women’s health.  While this topic has sparked much debate, the HPV vaccine is expected to greatly reduce the number of women who become afflicted with cervical cancer in the future.
 
What is HPV?
The Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is actually a group of viruses, which are the most common of all the sexually transmitted diseases.  HPV infects areas of the genital region, including the cervix which is located in the inner most part of the vagina.  Certain “high risk” subtypes of HPV are known to cause cervical cancer, while other “low risk” subtypes can cause genital warts.  This lesson focuses mainly on the “high risk” subtypes because of the devastating, and now preventable, effects it can have on women’s lives.
 
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If you are sexually active, then you are at risk of being exposed to HPV.  Approximately 50 percent of sexually active women will be infected with HPV at some point in their lives.  The good news is that in over 80% of women under 30, the infection will resolve.  A smaller percentage of women will continue to carry HPV, but never develop cervical cancer, while an even smaller percentage will go on to develop cervical cancer by age 40 and over.
 
Protection against Infection
Although condoms are a great way to protect against exposure of other sexually transmitted diseases, they are less effective for protection against HPV transmission.  Below are some of the ways to reduce, but not necessarily eliminate, the risk of HPV exposure:

Avoid genital contact with other individuals whether heterosexual or homosexual

Do not expose yourself to multiple sexual partners
Be in a mutually monogamous relationship, though, your partner may have been exposed in a previous relationship.

Use a condom anyway! Condoms are less effective, not ineffective.

Get vaccinated against HPV
 
HPV… Exposed
While “low risk” HPV infection can cause very obvious genital warts, there are usually no symptoms of “high risk” HPV infection.  This is where the yearly Papanicolaou (Pap) smear plays an important role.  Because HPV attacks the cervix, the virus can cause the cells of the cervix to develop pre-cancerous changes.  Pap smears are done to detect these pre-cancerous changes on the cervix, hopefully, before they develop into full-blown cancer.  If your Pap smear is abnormal, it may be due to a “high risk” HPV infection.  An HPV test along with an abnormal Pap smear may help to determine your risk of developing cervical cancer.
 
3 Shots to Fighting Cervical Cancer
The HPV vaccine was introduced in 2006 and is the first ever vaccine approved to fight cancer.  A series of three injections, the vaccine helps to prevent cervical cancer in women who have never been infected with HPV.  Thus, the HPV vaccine is recommended for females between the ages of 9 and 26, likely before they are ever exposed.  The vaccine is not a cure for women who have already been infected with HPV, and women who have been vaccinated should continue to have yearly Pap smears.
 
Visit your Doctor
There is so much more to this topic that cannot be covered in this one lesson.  Visit your gynecologist to discuss the HPV vaccine and more ways that you can protect yourself against HPV infection and cervical cancer.  Remember that yearly Pap smears should be used to screen for cervical cancer regardless of vaccination status.  Also, talk with your pediatrician about the risks and benefits of the HPV vaccine so that your daughter can become “one less” woman to be affected by cervical cancer.
 
Dr. Volny is a resident physician at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology  and Reproductive Sciences.  The information presented is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.

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