Update 3rd February 2024

Awareness about Cervical Cancer is not very high in India.The Indian Government’s plan to help vaccinate girl child from 9 to 14 years age is commendable.

Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer for women worldwide and second most common cancer in Indian women. As per 2021, HPV Information Centre data, every year approximately 569,847 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer, and 311,365 die from the disease.

How common is HPV/Human PapillomaVirus?

Estimated reading time: 7 minutes

Wait, what is HPV? Is that what you are thinking? Then let me tell you, it’s a ubiquitous virus worldwide and can affect the reproductive system in women. But the spotlight came on HPV due to its role in Cervical cancer. 

So how did this topic come about? Let me start at the beginning, and maybe this will help you talk to your kids about HPV. My daughter came home from school one fine day and asked me –

“Mom, what’s cervical cancer?”

I was folding laundry, and the question was so out of the blue I stopped and thought, this is it. I must talk. I always believe in age-appropriate communication, but this was not something I had thought would be the first conversation. So, I did the classic mommy thing. I asked another question.

Where did you hear about Cervical cancer?

Oh, mom, one of my friends’ grandmas has her surgery today for this, and my friend was distraught.

Hmm, I was in a quandary and then thought this was a good way of explaining the issue. I told her this: “It all starts with a virus called HPV or human papillomavirus.” I had read in the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention that it is so common worldwide, that both men and women who are sexually active may carry the virus, though they may not have any symptoms.

Daughter: “Does HPV cause health problems?” 

Me: “Yes, it does. But in many cases, HPV infection naturally resolves within two years without health problems. Otherwise, it can cause genital warts and cancer.” 

Daughter  “So if this virus is everywhere, can everyone get cancer from it ?”

Me: “This virus has more than 100 types, of which around 14 are cancer-causing or oncogenic. The commonest are HPV,16,18. The non-oncogenic ones like HPV6,11 cause small warts you see on different body parts like a hand, feet, etc. 

Daughter: “But how do people get HPV infection?

Me: “It’s caused by sexual contact.”

Daughter: “Can people get protected from it?”

Me: “Yes! Safe sex, including usage of condoms and dental dams, monogamous (meaning single partner) relationships, and a vaccine can help protect against the oncogenic variety of HPVs.”

Daughter: “What are the cancers that HPV can cause?

Me: HPV can cause cervical and other cancers, including cancer of the vulva, vagina, or anus in women. 

Luckily the little one didn’t carry on with her questionnaire as the bell rang, and she went to play with her friend next door. But if you are a parent, I have some more information.

Statistics about HPV infection

• HPV infection is a crucial risk factor for cervical cancer. It can affect many body parts with many different strains, but a few can cause cancer. That’s why it’s an essential topic for health education. There are more than 100 HPV genotypes. Around 14 of the oncogenic variants are responsible for cancers. 

• Cervical cancer: It’s the second most common cancer in India in women. As per 2021, HPV Information Centre data, approximately 1,23,907 women are affected, and 77,348 lose their battle to Cervical cancer annually in India.

That’s the bad news. The good news is it’s preventable if you take care in time that’s where a parent’s role comes into play. FAQs about HPV that will help you stay aware

HPV causes cervical cancer, but there’s a protective vaccine.

Which are the oncogenic varieties of HPV?

HPV 16,18,31,33,35,39.45.51,52,56,58 and 59 

HPV infection symptoms:

Often, HPV infections cause no symptoms, and the body clears the infection on its own in a few years. Many people never know they were infected with HPV. 

Genital warts look like fleshy bumps or multiple bumps in the genital area. They are of different sizes – from pinheads to larger. Flat or raises, and sometimes they look like cauliflowers. They may go away, stay the same, or increase in number or size.

Can HPV cause cancer?

Cervical cancer is the most common cancer caused by HPV infection. Some varieties of HPV can drive the transformation of cells and cause Cervical cancers in some instances. Most cervical lesions don’t progress to cancer. But since access to healthcare and reporting go hand in hand, the numbers we have may be just an approximation.

The period from infection with oncogenic HPV and cancer may exceed 20 years. Depending on immune status, most infections get better within one to two years. HIV-infected people and those with depressed immunity may have difficulty getting the virus out of their bodies.

Other cancers caused by HPV include: 

Invasive cancer of vulva, vagina, anus. penis and some oropharyngeal cancer.

Can HPV be prevented?

There’s no treatment for the virus itself. But most genital HPV infections go away with the help of a person’s immune system.

1. Genital warts can go away with treatment from your doctor. If left untreated, genital warts may go away, stay the same, or grow in size or number.
2. Cervical precancer treatment is available. Women who get routine Pap tests and follow up as needed can find problems before cancer develops. 
3. Other HPV-related cancers are also more treatable when found and treated early. 

How is HPV transmitted?

HPV is transmitted during sexual intercourse, oral sex, deep kissing, and possibly touching an infected partner’s genitalia. A monogamous person can get an HPV infection from an infected partner. 

How to prevent HPV infection?

Prevention is always better. The only way to avoid all risk of any type of HPV infection is to never be sexually active — no vaginal, anal, or oral sex.

• To lower your risk, you can also limit the number of sex partners you have. And you can choose partners who’ve had few or no sex partners before you.
• Get vaccinated. The HPV vaccine is safe and effective. Protection against HPV, luckily, is more manageable. Vaccines help protect against HPV infections that cause genital warts or cervical cancer. 
• Get screened for cervical cancer. Routine screening for women aged 25 to 65 years old can prevent cervical cancer.

Protection is best when the vaccine is given before infection with HPV. 

Consult your Pediatrician or Gynaecologist about the right ages to give the vaccine.

Does talking about sex make this a promo for other stuff? 

Not really. If you remember your growing-up years, you will understand no one told you stuff; you just found out. It’s likely kids will too. But as parents, we need to keep communication channels open, educate and empower them give them the available protection. Talk with age-appropriate resources in school about sex education. It’s important to talk to them about being responsible, remembering there is a proper age for everything, good nutrition, and vaccination all play a crucial role in keeping kids safe.

To find out the most suitable vaccine and vaccination schedule for you, you need to talk to your doctor.

Issued in public interest by MSD India

This information is for awareness only. Please consult your doctor for more information on HPV. Read the full Healthwealthbridge disclaimer .

This is a sponsored post kindly read my disclosure.

Resources for further reading

• World Cancer Day 2022 Theme: Where India Stands #WorldCancerDay
• Cancer prevention:Living life meaningfully
• Cancer prevention diet
• Ovarian cancer
• Oral cancer
• Tongue Cancer
• Difficulty Swallowing in Cancer
• Throat Cancer
• Truth about mouth cancer
• Head Neck Cancer treatment in India
• Life after Radiotherapy
• Truth about Chewing tobacco
• Say no to tobacco
• Air pollution a noncontrollable risk factor for NCD
• Apollo Hospital Proton Therapy
• How is the Health of the Nation