HPV – MYTHS & MISCONCEPTIONS
While there are many myths surrounding HPV , the fact is that anyone who has sex can get HPV, even if you have a single sexual partner. The infected person does not even need to be exhibiting symptoms of HPV to spread the virus to their partner.
Many people who have HPV never experience any symptoms ,or those symptoms may appear many months or even years after they initially contract the virus.
HPV & WARTS
HPV can cause genital warts. Genital warts usually look like small, round, discoloured bumps on or near the genital area. They can be white, brown, reddish in colour. They can be small or large , flat or raised ,round or irregular cauliflower shaped.
HPV & CANCERS
HPV can cause several types of gynaecological cancers, with cervical cancer being the most common. Infact two strains of HPV, 16 & 18 are known to cause more than 70% of all cervical cancer.
Other types of HPV related cancers include cancer of vulva, vagina, penis, anus and several oropharyngeal cancers.
HPV TESTING
The HPV test & Pap test are done the same way.The health professional uses a special tool to gently scrape or brush the cervix to retrieve cells for testing.
HPV test looks for cervical infection by high risk types of HPV that are most likely to cause pre cancers & cancers of cervix.The test can be done by itself or at the same time as the Pap test ( called a Co – test ) .
A Pap test is used to find cell changes or abnormal cells in the cervix. Cells from the cervix are sent to the lab and looked at closely to see if the cells are normal or not.
HPV VACCINATION
The misconceptions regarding HPV vaccines have led to a lack of social acceptance of the HPV vaccine. There are misconceptions that who should be vaccinated and at what age.The HPV vaccine is recommended for both girls & boys starting at the age of 9 years and is best given by 13 years.
Parents of pre teens ( both boys & girls ) should understand the importance of getting the HPV vaccine in order to prevent cancer.
IS SCREENING REQUIRED EVEN AFTER THE VACCINATION
Even with the vaccines , cervical cancer screening tests are necessary to prevent or find the cancer at early stage.
Screening tests can help find changes in the cervix before cancer develops and also detect a cancer in the earliest & most curable stage.
