Reproductive Health Care
Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
HPV infection is the overwhelming cause of cervical cancer growth in women.
The American Cancer Society estimates that this year, approximately 10,000 women will be diagnosed with cervical cancer and over 3,500 will die from this disease. Many of these deaths are directly the result of HPV.
About 20 million people, both women and men, are thought to have an active HPV infection at any given time.
This virus is often asymptomatic - people usually don't know they have it.
HPV can be contracted from one partner, remain inactive, and then later be unknowingly transmitted to a different sexual partner, including your life-partner or spouse - much later.
Protect yourself: Be safe! Be tested!
Read about Northland's NEW HealthyMe! Program for STI testing.
What is HPV?
HPV is actually a common virus that affects both men and women. There are more than 100 types of HPV. Most of these are relatively harmless. You know the common warts that people get on their hands? Those are HPV, too, the harmless kind. And, a person can have more than one type of HPV at the same time, or at different times in their life. For most people, the body's own defense system will clear up the virus.
How do you catch HPV?
Women and men who have any kind of sexual activity involving genital contact with someone with HPV can get it. That means it's possible to get genital HPV without having intercourse. And, because many people who have the virus may not show any signs or symptoms, they can transmit (pass on to others) the virus without even knowing it.
Are all types of genital HPV dangerous?
There are about 30 kinds of HPV that affect the genital area. These can be divided into “high-risk” and “low-risk”. All types of genital HPV can cause an abnormal Pap smear and that is, in fact, how most women learn they have HPV. So, regular Annual Exams are very important!
The high-risk HPV types, like Types 16 and 18, can cause cervical cancer or abnormal cells on the cervix that sometimes turn into cancer. These two types are targeted by the new HPV vaccine, Gardasil (a Merck Pharmaceutical product). Given in a series of three shots over six months, the vaccine protects against four strains of HPV responsible for 70% of cervical cancers and 90% of genital warts cases.
Read about the NEW HPV Vaccine.
The low-risk types can cause genital warts, which may be uncomfortable, but are not known to be life threatening. These types also show up on some Pap smears that come back as “abnormal”, showing changes, but non-cancerous changes, in the cervix.
Putting you first is the Northland Way!
Low-Cost treatments for genital warts are available here.
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A Pap smear (also known as a Pap test) is a vital part of your Annual Exam with us at Northland. Pap smears can detect abnormal cells in the lining of the cervix before they have the chance to become precancerous or cervical cancer. Many cases of cervical precancer can be treated successfully if detected early.
Did you know? Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers!
What can I do to protect myself?
Most often, the change from precancerous cells to cervical cancer can take a number of years, although in rare cases it can happen within a year. That's why early detection is so important!
You are in charge! Protect your life and your reproductive health.
- Show up each year for your Annual Exam.
- Choose to be tested for HPV.
- Choose to get the HPV vaccine, if you are 26 or younger.
Respect your body – choose to be safe!
Read more about all types of HPV:
www.birdsandbees.org/sti/hpv.htm and www.Tell-Someone.hpv.com
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Last page update: 9/07 |
