Many factors are associated with cervical cancer, including HPV, genetics, tobacco, weight, etc. But HPV is one factor backed up by evidence as one of the causes of cervical cancer. Women who get sexually active at an early age and those with many sexual partners are at a high risk of getting HPV which increases the susceptibility to cervical cancer.

Routine HPV tests and cervical cancer screening can help detect precancerous cells before developing into cervical cancer. Here is everything to know about cervical cancer and HPV to stay informed.

What is HPV?

HPV is human papillomavirus, a sexually transmitted infection. HPV is not one but refers to many types of closely related viruses categorized into high-risk and low-risk viruses.

In men, low-risk HPV types cause genital warts on the vagina or penis, while high-risk HPV types cause cancers in both genders. High-risk HPV types, including HPV 16 and HPV 18, are linked to cancers of the cervix, vagina, vulva, mouth, penis, throat, and anus.

You can catch HPV through sexual contact, including vaginal, anal, or oral sex. According to experts, HPV is so common that every sexually active person will catch it at some point in their lives, and one may pass HPV to their partner even without knowing that they are infected. Thankfully, not all HPV types are dangerous, and some live with the virus without experiencing any symptoms or knowing they have it.

Some misconceptions about HPV are that you can catch the virus by sharing a toilet seat or swimming pool. The truth is that HPV cannot be transmitted through casual contact like shaking hands.

How is HPV related to cervical cancer?

You might have heard experts suggest the importance of Hong Kong cervical cancer screening and HPV tests when it comes to preventing cervical cancer. High-risk HPV is the leading cause of cervical cancer, and HPV tests can detect the virus allowing you to seek treatment in advance.

In most cases, HPV infections go away within one to two years, but some people live with the infection for years. When you don’t treat high-risk HPV infections, it may cause the cells in your cervix to develop into cancer. According to research, it takes 10-30years for a tumor to form from the time you get infected with the virus.

HPV affects the squamous cells lining the inner parts of the cervix. 80-90% of cervical cancer begins in the squamous cells hence the name squamous cell carcinoma. The rest affects the gland cells in the cervix hence the name adenocarcinomas.

Symptoms of HPV

You are probably wondering if HPV has symptoms. Some people never experience symptoms at all, while others experience some. In most cases, HPV causes genital warts, single or clusters of bumps that resemble cauliflower. In women, genital warts occur around the vagina, vulva, anus, groin, throat, or mouth, while in men, genital warts may manifest in the penis, scrotum, anus, thigh, groin, throat, and mouth.

High-risk HPV types also cause cervical cancer and may manifest precancerous cells in the cervix. Unfortunately, cervical cancer rarely manifests symptoms until it has advanced, so regular Hong Kong cervical cancer screening is essential. Some signs of cervical cancer include:

• Pain during sex.
• Abnormal vaginal discharge.
• Abnormal bleeding, for example, between periods and after menopause.
• Heavier than regular periods.

Importance of pap tests

A Pap test, or a pap smear or pelvic exam, is one way of detecting cervical cancer in the initial phases when it is easier to treat. During a pap smear, the doctor collects samples of the cells in your cervix and sends them to a lab for testing. Your doctor may also test them for HPV.

The importance of routine pap smears is to detect precancerous cells in the cervix to treat them in the early stages. Some precancerous cells may not automatically develop into cancer, but finding and removing them is crucial.

You should get screened once every three years from 21 to 30 years. For 30-65years, screening after every five years is recommended. You should also discuss your HPV and cervical cancer risks and what you can do to minimize them with your doctor.

HPV vaccine

Since HPV is the number one cause of cervical cancer, experts suggest that the HPV vaccine can prevent one from catching the virus and lower cervical cancer risks. The HPV vaccine is recommended for girls and women aged from 9years to 26years. CDC recommends that the vaccine be given routinely to girls at the age of 11 and 12 years old, but doctors may choose to vaccinate girls as young as 9years.

The HPV vaccine is effective before one becomes sexually active, so experts advise parents to have their girls given early. If the person is already infected with HPV, the vaccine will not prevent the virus from causing cervical cancer. However, it offers protection against new HPV infections, particularly other strains of HPV.

Can the vaccine be given at older ages?

Yes, even older women from the age of 27-45years can take the HPV vaccine if they don’t receive the doses earlier in life. However, adults who take the HPV vaccine at this age group benefit less because they are most likely to have been exposed to HPV. That is why HPV vaccination is not routinely recommended for older adults. However, it is wise to discuss with your doctor if an HPV vaccination may be suitable for you, depending on your age group.

Screening tests

Cervical cancer screening allows the doctor to detect any signs of abnormal cells in your cervix that could later develop into cancer and remove them. Currently, cervical cancer is the only HPV-caused cancer for which FDA-approved routine tests are available. It also includes HPV tests that check for high-risk HPV and cervical cell changes.

Final words

HPV tests and pap smears enable the detection of precancerous cervical cells early. Thanks to organizations like the Hong Kong cancer fund, cervical cancer screening and treatment are readily accessible to women, reducing the cancer’s prevalence.