Cervical Cancer And HPV
Over the past two decades experts have discovered a strong correlation between the Human Pappilomavirus (HPV) infection and cervical cancer. This article attempts to give every woman and girl an insight into what they should know about HPV and cervical cancer.
Types of HPV
There are over 100 types of HPV of which about 30 can cause genital infections like genital warts, cervical or other genital cancers. Certain types like HPV 6 and HPV 11 cause genital warts and are very rarely associated with cancer. Therefore, they are considered ‘low-risk’ HPV. Others like HPV 16 and HPV 18 cause about 70% of all cervical cancers and are considered ‘high-risk’ strains.
Symptoms
It is estimated that over 80% of women will have acquired genital HPV during their lifetime. Usually, HPV does not cause any symptoms and does not lead to any disease either. In most cases the body’s defense system is enough to clear the virus, but where it does not clear certain types of the virus, cervical cancer can develop.
HPV Transmission
The HPV strains linked with genital infections are transmitted sexually, mainly by skin-to-skin contact during intercourse. The risk of acquiring HPV infection increases with the increase in the number of sexual partners in your lifetime. The incidence is high among women who are sexually active with men who have other partners at the same time.
Prevention
Prevention of HPV is a key factor in the prevention of cervical cancer. The meticulous use of condoms by all sexually active individuals who are not in a long-term monogamous relationship and limiting the number of sexual partners you have in your lifetime. The best prevention strategy to reduce the risk of HPV infection is to have a mutual monogamous sexual relationship with an uninfected partner. If your partner tells you that he\she have HPV, genital warts or any other STD you must see your physician immediately.
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