HPV and Cancer

High-risk HPV types 16 and 18 are the cause of cancers in both men and women, cancer takes place when normal skin cells become infected with HPV and become abnormal. When high-risk HPV is not cleared by our immune system the infection can linger in our bodies for years eventually turning the abnormal cells into cancer.

Women that experience long lasting outbreaks of HPV or infections over a period of time are at high- risk of cervical, vulva and vagina cancer. 

Men are also at a high- risk for developing cancer on the penis and anal area they are usually less likely to suffer from cancer caused by HPV than women.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common type of sexually transmitted diseases (STD). There are over 20 million or 1 out of 5 men and women with reported cases of HPV in the United States alone.

Men as well as women can be infected with HPV without showing any signs or symptoms. The lack of signs and symptoms is the reason researchers think that there are thousands of people infected with HPV that are not reported.  With so many people being unaware that they are infected with the sexually transmitted disease HPV and cancer are at an epidemic level.

With so many men and women having multiple sexual partners, the fear of becoming infected with HPV and cancer is an ever present danger. This means each time you sexually involved with a new partner you are exposing yourself to HPV and cancer and every sexual partner that they have been with over the past 5 years.

Health care providers recommend that you use condoms as a way of protecting yourself against the dangers of HPV and cancer. You also need to be aware that a condom does not guarantee that you will not become infected with HPV. Condoms may not cover the entire infected genital area and the anus is exposed for skin to skin contact.