Silently alarming. Loud but unspoken. The human papillomavirus (HPV) crept its way through and permanently into the health statuses of men and women throughout the world. Notoriously marking its territory in US history books, HPV has affected some 20 million people and 6.2 million Americans get a new HPV infection each year. Unmasked and readily prevalent in the mirror of health, researchers suggest that HPV will be experienced by sexually active women at some point in their lives. Sexually active, infected with HPV and left to face one of modern medicine’s most controversial health topics- Cervical Cancer.

Understanding HPV & Managing Its Effects

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), HPV is a sexually transmitted disease that classifies more than 100 different strains and types. Of these 100 strains, 30 are sexually transmitted and can infect the genital area of both men and women. These infections affect the skin of the penis, vulva, or anus. The lining of the vagina, cervix or rectum can also be infected.

Sexual activity places both men and women at greater risk for HPV. The risk becomes even more prevalent amongst women who have had multiple sex partners. Individuals who are not in a monogamous relationship are further advised to reduce their number of sexual partners and chose a partner less likely to be infected.

Condoms do provide a means by which an individual can reduce his or her likelihood of contracting HPV warts and cervical cancer. As condoms reduce the possibility of an individual contracting other sexually transmitted diseases, it also reduces exposure to cervical cancer co-factors such as Chlamydia or Genital Herpes.

Ultimately, health officials suggest that the only way to prevent the infection is through abstaining from sexual activity and any genital contact with another individual. Studies support this suggestion by confirming that the prevalence of HPV is lowest among such women.

Sexually active young women (under 25 years of age) pose the greatest risk of contracting cervical cancer as they constitute the most common cases of HPV. An estimated 9.2 million sexually active adolescent and young adults (ages 15 to 24 years of age) are currently infected with HPV. One study found the HPV incidence amongst college women to be 32-43%. Other studies, as conducted by gynecological and family planning services, found the HPV incidence rate to be 11-32% per year and 44-55% in three years.

Though the risks are high amongst sexually active women, the risks are still posed as women get older. Statistics further denote that by age 50 at least 80% will acquire genital HPV. With these various factors, making proactive and early detection an important factor in preventing and treating HPV and cervical cancer.

As infections are, in many cases, not preceded by symptoms and may appear in some moments and not in others, detection is a key. The HPV infection detection can be provided through testing such as a Pap test, which determines the presence of high-risk HPV infection that lead to the development of cervical cancer cells.

Cervical Cancer

HPV is the leading cause of cervical cancer and has led to an estimated 12,200 infected women per year. Uncommon amongst women who are regularly screened and follow the proper medical procedures for managing any abnormalities, cervical cancer can take 10 to 15 years to progress.

But as the cancer has become apart of the healthcare radar, survival rates continue to rise. Today, cervical cancer survival rates are over 90% due to the use of continuous testing methodologies and treatment for pre-cancer abnormalities. Alarmingly, about half of the women who develop cervical cancer have failed to have a Pap test performed. US statistics prove that Pap test reduce cervical cancer casualties by 70%.

The statistics from the American Cancer Society further note that in 2007 alone, approximately 11,150 women will get cervical cancer. Of those women, 3,670 will die. Yearly, nearly 500,000 women will be affected worldwide.

HPV + Cervical Cancer = the Future

There is no cure for HPV. There are only treatments for the cervical cancer that results from HPV.

As women throughout the world continue to unmask HPV and face cervical cancer, the nation prepares to determine what steps it would take in the fight against HPV and cervical cancer. June of 2006 marked the nation’s movement towards the first HPV vaccine known as Gardasil. The FDA approved the vaccine for girls and women ages 9 to 26 years. Politicians and healthcare advocates alike further debate to determine whether the HPV vaccine should be a mandate amongst young girls and women.

Will it be beneficial? Will it cause more harm than good? Only time will tell but for now- with controversial eyes, the world waits for answers to the greater question and women continue to fight for health and a solution to HPV and cervical cancer.

To learn more about HPV and Cervical Cancer, please visit:

Center for Disease Control (CDC)

CDC Report to Congress

Women In Government

By Brittany Gail Thomas