What is HPV and how do people get it?

HPV is a family of viruses that infect the skin and mucous membranes, including the cervix, vagina, vulva, penis, anus, rectum, mouth, throat, and other areas.

You can get HPV from any skin-to-skin contact of the genital area, through vaginal, anal or oral sex or through sharing sex toys. 

Most of the time HPV does not cause any problems. In most cases HPV is a temporary infection, and most people clear it without even knowing that they had it. It will usually clear naturally within two years.

What is the biggest misconception about HPV?

I think the biggest misconception about HPV is the stigma surrounding it. Because it’s a sexually associated infection, some people think it suggests promiscuity, which it doesn’t. You can have sex once and get HPV.

Which types of HPV can increase your risk of cervical cancer?

There are over 200 types of HPV, and they are split into two groups: low-risk HPV and high-risk HPV. Low-risk types cause genital warts, and high-risk types are the ones that can lead to cancer.

There’re around 14 types of HPV which are considered high risk for cervical cancer and two of these types (HPV 16 and HPV 18) cause about 70 out of 100 (70%) of all cervical cancer cases. Specifically, HPV 16 and HPV 18 can infect the cervix, and if the infection persists then they can increase the risk of cervical cancer.

How can you find out if you have HPV?

There are usually no symptoms of HPV, so if you don’t go to a cervical cancer screening, you won’t know you have it. The knowledge of whether you have HPV or not is important because it identifies people as having a greater risk of having abnormal cells, which if left undetected or untreated can increase the risk of cervical cancer. It isn’t a test for cancer, but instead a test to look for any abnormal changes to the cervix and help prevent cancer.

Women and people with a cervix between the ages of 25 and 64 are invited to attend a cervical screening every five years (you will usually receive a letter in the post from your GP). People over 65 are only invited if an abnormality was picked up during one of their last three cervical screenings.

If you’re under the age of 25 and have any concerns about your sexual health, HPV or your risk of developing cervical cancer, then you can speak to your GP to have your cervical screen sooner. 

What happens at a cervical screening appointment?

During the screening appointment, a small sample of cells is taken from your cervix and checked in a laboratory for high-risk HPV types that can cause changes to the cells of your cervix. The test will be performed by a qualified nurse or doctor, it’s a quick and simple process and usually only takes a few minutes, and most people report no pain or only mild discomfort. Remember, you can ask the nurse or doctor to stop at any point if you need to.

If the initial screening finds high-risk HPV, a reflex cytology test would be conducted on the same sample to look for abnormal cells. If that finds no abnormal cells, you will be told to come back for a screening at a shorter interval. However, if abnormal cells are found you will be referred for a colposcopy to have a closer look at the cervix.

Attending your regular cervical screening appointments is the best way to catch any early changes in your cells and prevent cervical cancer. Although you might be nervous about attending your screen, it’s so important that you get yourself regularly checked.

Can protect yourself against HPV?

The HPV vaccine is very effective at protecting people against HPV. It’s usually given to children between the ages of 11 and 13 and is licensed to the age of 45, but it becomes less effective as you get older.

You can have the vaccine even if you’ve been exposed to HPV or you have a current HPV infection, and it gives immunity that’s stronger and longer lasting than natural immunity alone. So, it’s still good to have it under the age of 45, but it's most effective when you're younger.

What are some symptoms of cervical cancer to look out for?

The most common symptoms of cervical cancer are bleeding after sex, bleeding in between periods, bleeding after the menopause, or an offensive, persistent vaginal discharge. Most of the time these symptoms are indicative of benign conditions, but it’s important that they’re not ignored and that you go and get them checked to exclude anything more serious going on.

What’s the most important thing people should know about HPV and cervical cancer?

Remember that cervical cancer is preventable, and people who go for regular screenings are unlikely to develop cancer. Cervical screening is quick and straightforward, and along with vaccination, it's one of the most important things you can do to protect your health.

At HCA Healthcare UK we offer cervical screening through our GP services as part of a health screen package or as a regular GP appointment. We can also offer the HPV vaccine through our GP services. 

Learn more about cervical screening here.