Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and Cervical Cancer

Human papillomavirus (HPV), which is sexually transmitted, causes most cases of cervical cancer. Cervical cancer used to be one of the most common causes of cancer death in women in the United States. Today, cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers. Lives are saved because more women are routinely screened with a Pap test (also called a Pap smear).

A recent breakthrough in cervical cancer prevention came with the development of a vaccine for HPV. There are two kinds of HPV (HPV-16 and HPV-18) that cause 70 percent of all cervical cancers. HPV is very common. By the time they are 50, most American women who have had sex have been exposed to the virus.

Like all women, young women can avoid infection with HPV by practicing safer sex and by not having sex. Condoms can’t give complete protection against HPV because the virus can infect areas that are not covered by a condom. Avoiding HPV is the most important way to reduce a woman’s risk of cervical cancer.

The Basics

  • Talk with your health care professional about the HPV vaccine. The vaccine protects against the types of HPV that are most likely to cause cervical cancer. It’s most effective if a person is given the vaccine before becoming sexually active. The vaccine is recommended for girls age 11 and 12. Girls age 9 or 10 may also be vaccinated. Girls may get a “catch-up” vaccine up to age 18. Young women ages 19-26 who have not been vaccinated may also get the vaccine. Some experts think that boys and young men also should get the vaccine.
  •  Understand that, even with the vaccine, women still need to have regular Pap tests.
  • Show your children how important you think it is to be screened for cancer by getting your own regular screenings.

Visit the Prevent Cancer Foundation’s online cervical cancer awareness campaign, Confess!, to get personalized cervical cancer screening guidelines and pledge to get screened for cervical cancer.

Additional Resources