HPV and Cervical Cancer: What Your Clients Need to Know

What is HPV?

Mostly likely you’ve heard HPV mentioned in the news recently. But what is HPV? And what should your clients know about it?

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted disease in the United States. It is estimated that 75 to 85% of sexually active women will have HPV at some point in their life. At any given time, 25% of sexually active men and women have some form on the virus

There are more than 100 different strains of HPV. Over 30 of these strains are sexually transmitted. Several strains of HPV can lead to cervical cancer in women. More rarely HPV can also cause cancer of the anus, penis, vagina and vulva. Other strains of HPV can lead to genital warts in men and women.

HPV is spread by genital skin-to-skin contact, usually during sex. Condoms can greatly lower the chances of transmitting HPV, but it can still be spread to areas not covered by the condom. Most of the time, HPV does not have symptoms. This means that people don't know when they have HPV and cannot tell if their partners have HPV.

Currently there is no cure for HPV. The good news is that most cases of HPV clear without treatment. In cases that do not clear on their own, having regular Pap tests can detect abnormal cell changes in the cervix early. They can be treated before they become cancer.

How can HPV be prevented?

There are several things your clients can do to lower their chances of getting HPV. Tell your clients about these steps:

• Use condoms every time you have sex. Condoms reduce the risk of getting HPV and reduce the chances that abnormal cells in the cervix will develop into cancer.
• Have sex with one person who only has sex with you. The more people you have sex with, the more likely you will get HPV.
• The only way to be sure you don’t get HPV is not to have sex. If you don’t have vaginal, anal, or oral sex, you can’t get HPV.

There are vaccines against HPV.

An HPV vaccine was recently approved by the FDA. Gardasil is made by Merck & Co, Inc. to prevent four types of HPV. Two types (16 and 18) cause 70% of cervical cancer cases, and two (6 and 11) cause 90% of genital warts. The vaccine is given in three doses over six months. A similar but different HPV vaccine called Cervarix is expected to be approved by the FDA in the early part of next year. This vaccine, produced by GlaxoSmithKline, is also given in three doses over six months. Cervarix protects against cervical cancer.

Who should get the HPV vaccine?

The newly-approved HPV vaccine is recommended for girls and young women ages 9 to 26. It works best if all three doses are given prior to ever having sex, but can given to women who have already had sex.

How can cervical cancer be prevented?

Encourage your clients to:

• Have regular Pap tests.
• Get follow-up care if you have an abnormal Pap test.
• Quit smoking cigarettes.

Cervical cancer can be prevented with regular Pap tests. Most clients need Pap tests every one to three years. Pap tests can detect abnormal cell changes that can lead to cervical cancer. The cells can be treated to prevent cervical cancer. Make sure your clients know when they need their next Pap test.

Remind clients to get follow-up care if a Pap test is abnormal. This will help prevent cervical cancer from developing.

Smoking cigarettes increases the chances that abnormal cells in the cervix will turn into cervical cancer. Advise your clients to stop smoking.

Your clients look to you for information on HPV. By using these tips to educate your clients about HPV, you can help break the chain of HPV and cervical cancer. You can help save lives!

For More Information

Check out our new, free downloadable information sheets on HPV and cervical cancer.

There is an information sheet for providers explaining the what your clients should know and how best to convey that information. An accompanying sheet for clients is available in English, Spanish and Vietnamese. It gives them the walk-away messages every client should know.