HPV: The Human Papillomavirus Is The Leading Cause of Cervical Cancer in Women

Currently 20 million women in the United States have HPV and the number is growing. The human papillomavirus (HPV) is a silent cancer-causing virus affecting women.  HPV tests are being added to routine pap smears to help reduce the number of cases.

Most women will have a form of the virus at one time in their life, which in most cases clears on its own.  However, 4 strains of HPV are mainly associated with cervical abnormalities and genital warts. Condoms will help, but they don’t offer full protection against the virus.   

To help, in June 2006, a vaccine was approved by the FDA for girls ages 9 - 26.  The vaccine is administered through a series of three shots over the course of six months.  Although this will aid in the prevention of HPV, the vaccine cannot be given to people who have already been exposed.  The ideal time for vaccination is in young girls, before becoming sexually active.    

While HPV is not a new virus, many people are unaware they are infected, because the virus has no symptoms.  According to the Center for Disease Control, approximately half of all sexually active people will have HPV at some point in their lives. Both men and women and have HPV, but only in women does the virus cause a serious threat.

For women that have been exposed to the cancer-causing virus, if cell abnormalities are recognized in the early stages (precancerous cells), they can be treated.  The cells will be frozen and cut from the cervix. If the virus is well beyond precancerous cells - fully advanced cervical cancer - the cervix may have to be removed.

In recent months, a large campaign launched to inform and educate the public about HPV.  Many women I spoke with, had no idea that the human papillomavirus existed or that it was the leading cause of cervical cancer.  It’s unbelievable that in a world so far advanced medically, that we can transplant complete faces, women all over are not educated about a virus that can lead to cancer.