HPV and Cervical Cancer - Stop it Before It's Too Late!

HPV and cervical cancer have long been linked, and this article shows you just how. This article also tells you how you can stop HPV and cervical cancer before it's too late and the consequences of ignorance and irresponsibility become irrevocable.

HPV, which stands for human papillovirus, is the most common sexually transmitted disease (STD) in the world today. It is composed of a family of more than one different viruses that can attack various parts of the body. There are some strains of HPV that cause the development of warts on the hands, feet, and other human body parts. Other strains - the most usual ones - appear on the genital area, including the penis, scrotum, anus, rectum, vulva, vagina, and cervix.

Over the years, the connection between HPV and cervical cancer has been explored thoroughly by scientists, and they found out that indeed, the two diseases are associated. Today, 76% of the women in the United States of America who are part of the 24 million Americans infected with HPV are ignorant of the said STD, which is a sad fact considering that HPV is the cause of virtually 100% of all known cervical cancers.

There are over 60 types of HPV. Clinical infections (or those that manifest symptoms such as visible genital warts) occur in only 1% of the infected population; sub-clinical infections (or those that do not manifest symptoms) occur in the rest. Scientists have discovered that the viral strains which cause genital warts have nothing to do with increased risks in cervical cancer or any other kind of cancer, for that matter. However, the viral strains which do not cause genital warts, which are greater in number, are responsible for the growth of cervical cancers, tying HPV and cervical cancer together.

In order to fight HPV and cervical cancer, it is important to get tested for HPV first. HPV viruses may be detected during a woman's annual GYN examination. It is advised that women who are diagnosed with HPV have regular pap smears. It must be noted that pap smears are not specifically designed to detect the existence of HPV, but they do indicate abnormal cervical changes, which in turn may indicate an HPV infection or some other vaginal infection. Doctors usually issue an order for a follow-up screening procedure, such as a biopsy or a colposcopy. These procedures can follow the women's condition more closely, allowing detection of further cervical changes after pap smear results come out.

Cervical dysplasia, which pap smear results of women with HPV may indicate, is considered by many doctors as a precursor condition for invasive cancer in the cervix. This ties HPV and cervical cancer even closer. A number of dysplasia cases regress over time, but the factors that contribute to the progression of the dysplasia into cervical cancer remain unknown to this date.

The best and only way to steer clear of both HPV and cervical cancer is to visit the doctor, have yourself tested for any strain of HPV, and undergo treatment right away if viruses are detected.