For most, HPV clears on its own, but for those who don’t clear the virus, it can cause certain cancers and diseases.
You’ve probably heard of HPV, but it might not be a health concern currently on your radar. The fact is, human papillomavirus, better known as HPV, is a common infection that many sexually active people will have at some point in their lifetime.
For most people, HPV clears on its own. However, for those who don’t clear the virus, it can lead to potentially serious health problems if it doesn’t clear. It can cause certain HPV-related cancers and diseases in both men and women. According to CDC data from 2015-2019, it’s estimated that tens of thousands of men and women were diagnosed with HPV-related cancers in each of those years.
While we can’t ignore the numbers, none of us ever think this is the kind of thing that will happen to us. “We all sometimes think that we’re invincible,” says Bridgette R., a registered nurse in Ohio. Bridgette had been married for 17 years with two small children when she was diagnosed with HPV-related cervical cancer.
“The one message that I want to get across is be aware of your health. HPV can cause certain cancers,” Bridgette said in an interview for Merck’s video series, My HPV Cancer Story.
Wondering if you may be at risk for HPV-related cancers? Here’s a few facts to help you understand your potential risk:
What is human papillomavirus?
HPV is a virus that can affect both men and women. While HPV clears for most people, those who don’t clear the virus can develop HPV-related cancers later in life.
“HPV itself can be related to certain cancers,” OB-GYN Pari Ghodsi, MD, said for Merck’s video series, My HPV Cancer Story. “ Typically, HPV-related cancer is diagnosed in someone in an older age range, like 40 or 50 or older, because it’s taken time for the disease to progress but that’s not always the case.”
Does HPV always cause cancer?
No, but according to Dr. Ghodsi, there’s no clear idea of why the virus develops into more serious health conditions in some and not in others.
Then again, when you’re talking about HPV, you’re never talking about just one strain — there are more than 200 types and they typically fall into two main groups. Certain types of HPVs can cause health issues like genital warts. However, other types of HPVs can lead to certain cancers.
What types of cancer can HPV cause?
HPV can cause certain cancers, such as cervical and head and neck cancers. In fact, approximately 90 percent of cervical cancers and 70 percent of head and neck cancers are associated with HPV.
For head and neck cancer survivor Jim P., he didn’t realize that men could be affected by HPV until he received his diagnosis. He and his wife were shocked by Jim’s diagnosis, so their message in Merck’s video series, My HPV Cancer Story, is to learn about HPV and “be proactive about your health and the health of your loved ones.” Jim has been cancer free for over five years now.
Individuals should talk to their health care provider to learn about their potential risk for an HPV-related cancer.
Is there a way to screen for HPV-related cancers?
Most people with HPV have no idea that they had the infection since it usually has no visible signs or symptoms.
Some might not realize they have an HPV-related cancer until they get an abnormal result from a routine pap smear, as seen in Bridgette’s case. Others, like Jim, said he noticed a strange lump on his neck while he was driving to work one day, which was a cancerous lump.
There’s established routine cervical cancer screening; however, to date, there are no other routine screenings available for other HPV-related cancers. However, you should speak with your doctor to learn more about HPV-related cancers and what testing might be appropriate for you. If you’re a woman, getting a regular pap smear is important, and you may want to discuss with your doctor how often you should get tested. For instance, your doctor may recommend an HPV test or cervical cancer screening (which can include a pap smear alone or can include a pap smear coupled with an HPV test). There is no routine HPV test recommended for males, but your doctor may recommend screening for certain HPV-related cancers.
“We’ve gained a lot more knowledge about how HPV-related cancers can be prevented,” says Dr. Ghodsi. “I encourage everyone to take a proactive role in their health, maintain routine doctor’s appointments, and have an open and honest discussion with their healthcare provider about their risk for an HPV-related cancer.”
Where can people go to get more information on HPV-related cancers?
To learn more about the link between HPV and certain related cancers, speak with your health care provider and visit HPVCancerStories.com to hear more about Bridgette and Jim’s experiences with HPV-related cancer.
“The more that we talk about it with each other and also with our physicians, the more we can learn about it and get the right knowledge to everyone,” Dr. Ghodsi says. “If people want more information regarding HPV-related cancer, I encourage them to speak to their physician.”
The information provided on this site isn’t intended as medical advice and shouldn’t replace professional medical treatment. Consult your doctor about any serious health concerns.
