HPV is really common and is easily passed on during sexual (genital) contact making it is very difficult to prevent infection.  The virus can sneak into the body through skin contact not just sexual intercourse.  Condoms can help reduce the risk of contracting HPV (so please use them!), but they don’t cover all of the genital area.

The HPV can be hiding in the cells for many months or years without the infected person even knowing they have the virus, so if you’ve had more than one sexual partner, it is difficult to know who passed it on to you.  Getting the virus doesn’t mean that you or your partner has been unfaithful.

The HPV vaccination is now available and can guard against about 70% of the viruses that cause cervical cancer.  Talk to your doctor about vaccination.

Don’t forget that regular pap smear tests are recommended.  Since the introduction of widespread pap smear testing more than 20 years ago, the rate of death from cervical cancer has reduced by about half, but unfortunately around 40% of women still do not have enough regular tests.  Talk to your doctor about how often you should have one.

Don’t become a cervical cancer statistic!

Talk to your doctor about getting vaccinated and having regular Pap smear tests.

Articles

Cervical Cancer and Screening, written by Professor Jonathan Carter, Head of the Sydney Gynaecological Oncology Group, Sydney Cancer Centre, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital.