Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)

HPV, which stands for Human Papoloma Virus, is a cervical cancer women contract from sex. It is the second most common cancer in women all over the world. Women over the age of 30 are more likely to form cervical cancer than that of women under 30 because the HPV usually goes away by itself. Smoking also contributes to the development of cervical cancer. (http://www.aafp.org/afp/20000301/1369.html) It is a virus that infects the skin and mucous membranes. There are about 100 types of HPV in which about 30 are spread genitally., some can even cause genital warts. It is estimated that about 80% of women will contract some form of HPV at one point in their life. The immune system is usually strong enough to fight off the virus although sometimes it is not and the condition of the virus may become worse.



After a person contracts HPV if it doesn't go away on its own it may form into cervical cancer. the American cancer society estimates that nearly 11, 150 women in the U.S. will develop cervical cancer and around 3,700 died from it. Thankfully, the United States has the pap test, which checks for signs of HPV. Due to the pap test, there is a lower occurance of cervical cancer in America by 75% over the last 50 years. (http://www.thehpvtest.com/HPV-facts-cervical-cancer-faq.html)



Although there are tests and vaccines to check women for cervical cancer and HPV, unfortunately women are still getting HPV and or Cervical Cancer and are still dying. it is estimated that about 1 in 123 women will develop cervical cancer.



It would be a good idea for young women, who are sexually active, to go to their community clinic and get tested to insure they are healthy.