HPV (Human papilliomavirus). You’ve heard of it, and you may have a vague idea of what it is, but if you haven’t, January is Cervical Health Awareness Month, which presents the best opportunity to get educated on just how HPV affects you and your health. Nearly 79 million Americans have HPV, with 14 million more each year, and the majority of those infected present no symptoms and aren’t aware they have HPV.
HPV is spread via vaginal, oral or anal sex with someone who is infected. Many times, it doesn’t exhibit any symptoms and goes away on its own. It’s when it doesn’t go away on its own that it presents health problems with potential life threatening consequences. HPV can cause genital warts and has been linked to various types of cancers, including cervical, anal, vulva, vagina and penis, as well as back of the throat, tongue or tonsil cancer. Cervical cancer is one of the deadliest cancers, exhibiting very few outward symptoms. Every year, 10,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer. All of these cancers can take years to develop after being infected with HPV.
It is estimated that up to 21,000 of HPV-related cancers could have been prevented with the HPV vaccine. Boys and girls ages 11 and 12 can be vaccinated against HPV. For those children who did not get vaccinated, men through the age of 21 and women through the age of 26 can be vaccinated as well. It is also recommended that you have sex with a latex condom, though that doesn’t guarantee full protection from contracting HPV. Women should visit their gynecologist for yearly check-ups once they are between the ages of 13 and 15, begin with Pap smears at the age of 21, and cervical cancer screenings over the age of 30. Cervical precancerous cells can be treated when caught early.
Last year, DASHA® blog contributor Dr. Staci Pollack did a great piece on Cervical Health Awareness Month, “What You Should Know About Cervical Cancer,” which you can read by clicking HERE.
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