Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is very common in Australia — in fact 4 out of 5 people will have HPV at some stage in their life, often without even knowing it! You can be exposed to HPV by having sex, even if you use contraception.
There are over 100 different types of HPV. Some cause warts to form on your hands, while about forty other types lead to warts on your genitals. Some of these can lead to cervical cancer.
Although common, most women and people with cervixes with HPV do not go on to develop cervical cancer, yet HPV is almost always detected in people with cervical cancer.
How does HPV lead to cervical cancer?
HPV types are classed as either low-risk or high-risk depending on their ability to change the cells of the cervix and develop into cancers.
For example, low-risk HPV causes minor changes to the cells of the cervix or causes genital warts, but very rarely leads to cervical cancer. They usually remain in the body for up to two years, which only allows them a short period of time to change cells.
High-risk HPV, such as type 16 and 18 which are linked to about 70% of all cervical cancers, takes much longer to be cleared from the body and so have more time to change the cells of the cervix. The greater the amount of cell change, the greater the chance of developing cervical cancer.
How is HPV and cervical cancer detected?
The Cervical Screening Test is a simple test done every 5 years to check for HPV, and is the most effective way to detect cervical cancer. Women and people with cervixes should start getting it from the age of 25, and it’s available for free in Australia from your healthcare provider. In the test you have the option to collect your own sample or have a health care provider take it for you. Both options are just as accurate and safe.
To learn more about the Cervical Screening Test here and self-administration here.
What is the HPV vaccine?
The Australian government provides vaccination for all school children aged 12-13 against HPV. So you might’ve already gotten vaccinated! It’s free and part of the National Immunisation Program. It protects you against nine types of HPV that are responsible for most HPV-related illnesses.
If you haven’t gotten a HPV vaccination, whatever the reason may be, people aged up to 26 can get a free catch-up vaccination from their healthcare provider. Older adults can still get it too, though there is a cost. You can check your immunisation history here to see if you need one.
Even if you have had the HPV vaccine you will still need to have regular Cervical Screening Tests, as other types of HPV can lead to changes in the cells of the cervix.
Although boys and people with a male anatomy cannot develop cervical cancer, they can become infected with HPV and spread it to women and people with a female anatomy during sexual contact, so it is important for them to get immunised too.
