What is HPV?
HPV stands for Human Papilloma Virus;
it is most commonly transmitted sexually and manifestations
range from common plantar warts and genital warts to cervical
and anal cancer. Of the 100 known types, there are only
several "high-risk" types (16, 18, and 33) which
are known to cause precancerous and cancerous cellular changes.
HPV-16 is associated with about one-half of cervical cancers
worldwide. Cervical cancer deaths in the U.S. have plummeted
since the advent of cervical cancer screening with Pap tests.
However, this is not true worldwide; cervical cancer remains
the 2nd leading cause of cancer-related deaths in developing
countries
Am I at risk?
You are at greater risk for becoming infected with
a genital type of HPV if:
- You or your partner have or have had sex with more than
one partner.
- You began having sex at an early age.
- You or your sex partner have been infected with another
sexually transmitted disease, been found to have an abnormal
Pap smear test results, or been diagnosed with cervical
or penile cancer.
What can I do to prevent HPV infection?
Using a latex condom and spermicide will prevent many sexually
transmitted diseases and may prevent HPV infection. However,
condoms can be unreliable and HPV may be spread from other
parts of your body that are not covered with a condom during
intercourse or intimate contact.
If I have
warts will I get cancer?
There is no simple answer to this question. The HPV type
that causes warts is different from the type that leads
to cancer. Theoretically the HPVs that cause external genital
warts are considered "low risk," which means the
virus type is incapable of causing cancer on its own. However,
HPVs are efficiently transmitted through sexual contact,
so it is very likely that a person with warts is infected
simultaneously with several different HPV types. So, although
genital warts are caused by non-cancerous HPVs, having multiple
partners increases the risk of also receiving a "high
risk" type such as HPV-16. The only precaution is to
get regular Pap testing.
Is there a treatment?
Currently, we have no effective strategies to prevent HPV-16
infections. Being a virus, we cannot prescribe antibiotics
to rid our bodies of HPV infection. For most women, the
immune system eliminates the virus and its effects within
several years of being newly infected, or at best keeps
it from wreaking any havoc. Our immune system's ability
to effectively fight the infection is not shared equally
and some women seem to remain infected, chronically, for
many years. Chronic HPV-16 infection is a risk factor for
cervical cancer. Unfortunately, we cannot predict who among
us is at high risk for chronic HPV infection or cervical
cancer.
The only treatments available are for HPV-related ailments
once they develop. Consult your doctor as there are various
effective methods such as creams and chemical solutions
to treat warts. Lasers are commonly employed to remove questionable
cervical lesions if necessary.
What is this research study?
We are not enrolling any new subjects at this time. However, you may check the RESEARCH STUDY page for recruitment updates.
How can I learn more?
Please call our office to talk with a study representative:
310-825-0540
or e-mail us: hpvstudy@ucla.edu