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What
About HPV, Genital Warts and Cancer?
Cervical cancer, the most serious problem associated with genital HPV,
is easily prevented through regular Pap smears and treatment of
precancerous (dysplastic) cell changes. Informing yourself about HPV will help you to
understand and manage the infection. You are not alone. It is estimated
that tens of millions of Americans have HPV infection. For most, it is a
minor problem.
The types of HPV linked to cervical cancer usually are not the types
that cause genital warts. But a woman with genital warts, like any other
sexually active woman, should get yearly Pap smears. Some types of HPV
that cause "clinically inapparent" or "subclinical"
infection are being studied as "risk factors" for
cervical cancer. This means that certain HPV types, along with other
factors, may make someone more likely to develop cancer. These other
factors may include first intercourse at an early age, smoking, and the
presence of other STDs.
Yearly Pap smears are the best safeguard against cervical cancer, Pap
smears detect abnormal cells present on the surface of the cervix. Cancer
usually can be prevented through the early detection and treatment of
abnormal cervical tissue. Rarely, HPV causes mild types of cancer on the shaft of
the penis called bowenoid papulosis and verrucous carcinoma. These can be
easily treated. Anal cancer in homosexual men with AIDs may be caused by
HPV also.
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