Wave: Fall 2009 - Winnipeg Regional Health Authority

ask a nurseLinda CooteHPV& YouHow to reduce yourrisk of developingcervical cancer50 WAVEWhat is HumanPapillomavirus (HPV)?Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a virusthat can infect many parts of the bodyin both men and women. There areover 100 different types of HPV. Someare low-risk and some are high-riskbased on their potential risk of cancer.There are 15 known high-risk typesof HPV that can cause pre-cancerouslesions and cervical cancer; they canalso cause oral cancer and anal cancer.Most of these infections are clearedby the body’s immune system withoutthe individual knowing that theyhad an infection. Persistent infectionof a high-risk virus can lead to earlychanges in the cervical cells (dysplasia).If these changes are not detectedby screening and treated, they mayprogress to cancer of the cervix (lowerpart of the woman’s uterus that leadsinto the vagina). Some low-risk typescan cause genital warts and even somedysplasia. These dysplasias usually donot progress to cancer.How does someone getHPV?Some types of HPV can be spreadduring sexual contact with a personwho is already infected. Sexual contactincludes skin-to-skin contact with thevagina, vulva (the outside parts of awoman’s genitals), penis, scrotum, anusand/or the mouth. HPV is estimated tobe one of the most common sexuallytransmitted infections (STI) in Canadaand around the world. Any person whohas sexual contact can get the virus.What are the signs andsymptoms of an HPVinfection?Most HPV infections occur without anysymptoms. It is easy for people who areinfected to pass it on to others withoutknowing it. It is possible to have morethan one type of HPV infection at atime. While most HPV infections goaway with no treatment, some do notand can go on to cause skin and genitalwarts, or more importantly, cancersof the cervix, or, more rarely, cancersof the vagina, vulva, rectum, penis andmouth.How can someoneprevent or reduce the riskof getting HPV?The only way to prevent HPV infectionis to not have sexual contact (skin-toskincontact) with the vagina, vulva,penis, scrotum or anus. You can reduceyour risk by:• Delaying sexual activity.• Limiting your number of sexualpartners.• Using condoms can offer protectionfrom HPV and other sexually transmittedinfections, but skin that is notcovered by the condom can still beexposed and infected.• Considering your partners’ sexualhistory, as they may not know theyare infected with HPV.• Practising good health habits, whichinclude: not smoking, eating ahealthy diet, getting plenty ofexercise and rest.• Getting immunized with the HPVvaccine to reduce the risk of infection,pre-cancerous lesions andcervical cancer. Current HPVvaccines only protect against someHPV types.Once your body matures and if youchoose to become sexually active, it isrecommended that you see your doctorfor regular checks including Pap testsof the cervix. For more information onsexuality education, visit the SexualEducation Resource Centre Manitoba.What is the link betweenHPV infection and cervicalcancer?HPV can cause changes in the cellson the cervix, called cervical dysplasia(abnormal cells). Over time, thesechanges can progress, stay the same orget worse. If these changes are severeand are not treated, cancer of thecervix can develop. HPV is consideredto be a causal factor in virtually allcases of cervical cancer, and about 70per cent of cancers are associated withHPV types 16 and 18, two of the HPVtypes targeted by the HPV vaccine.How many women getcervical cancer?Approximately 1,350 Canadian womenare diagnosed with cervical cancereach year; about 400 women annuallydie from the disease. In Manitoba, approximately45 women are diagnosedwith cervical cancer each year andapproximately 15 deaths are reportedeach year.What is the HPV vaccine?HPV vaccines have been in develop-