HPV Cancer
HPV and Cancer: How Are They Related?
There are many different types of HPV infection – over 250 types! The vast majority of these are harmless. Most cause no signs or symptoms, and go away by themselves untreated. A few cause warts to appear on hands, feet, knees, elbows or genitals: and as embarrassing as the warts may be, they go away in time as well, and cause no permanent harm to the human body.
But there are a few types in the 250 strains of HPV that do cause conditions that lead to cancer. It is important to know about these and understand the ways in which cancer-causing strains of HPV are transmitted, so that you can best prevent life-threatening disease in yourself.
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HPV and Cancer
The potential for cancer to develop as a result of HPV is very real, and just one of the reasons that people should always, always practice safe sex, without exception.
Which types of HPV can lead to cancer?
Around a dozen or so strains of HPV can lead to cancer, with the most common of these being types 16, 18, 31, and 45. While cervical cancer tends to be the most common type of cancer resulting from HPV, cancer can also occur in the anus, the vulva and the penis, and type 16 has been associated with oropharyngeal squamous-cell carcinoma, which is a type of “head and neck” cancer.
Luckily, most HPV infections will not lead to cancer. However, the types that do generally show no visible signs of infection until the cancer has reached an advanced stage.
It is recommended that women have regular pap smears. As uncomfortable as a pap smear may be, it is absolutely necessary to ensure a long, healthy life. If HPV is developing into cervical cancer within your body, you won’t know until it reaches the late stages.