HPV infection and its consequences

Nearly all cervical cancers are caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). The cervix is the opening of the uterus. Cancer of the cervix was the most common cancer in Canadian women before Pap test screening, and is still the most common cancer among women in some other countries. HPV may also cause penile cancer, although this is very rare. Penile cancer occurs in less than one of 100,000 men per year.

Most HPVs that cause cancer are sexually transmitted. HPV viruses are very common. So much so that more than 50% of women and men will have this type of infection at one point of their life or another. Fortunately, over 99% of women who have HPV will never get cervical cancer. Most HPV infections go away by themselves and do not cause cancer. However, some will. A better understanding of HPV transmission between men and women will help prevent these infections, and reduce peoples’ risk of cancer.

Much is yet to be learned about HPV

HPV testing is a new screening strategy for women that may detect more cases of precancerous cervical lesions than the traditional Pap test. As more and more physicians order these tests, there is increased awareness of how common such infections are among Canadian women. Between 15% and 40% of women have HPV at any one time. About the same proportion of Canadian men are believed to have HPV. Women, their partners, and their physicians are left with many unanswered questions on how HPV is transmitted, how much risk there is after a sexual encounter, and what they can do to protect themselves. The HITCH Cohort Study will be the first in Canada to try to find answers to these questions.

To know more about HPV

To learn more about HPV, please visit the "HPV Facts" section or take a look at the videos regarding HPV infections.