Education Corner

Regular Check-ups to Prevent HPV Infection

Is HPV a Virus That Only Affects Women?

According to the Centre for Health Protection, studies show that up to 75% of sexually active men and women will be infected with HPV (human papillomavirus) at some point in their lives.
While condoms can reduce the risk of transmission, they cannot fully cover all genital skin, meaning unprotected areas may still become infected.
HPV can remain dormant for years, and the absence of symptoms does not mean you are free from infection.
Getting the HPV vaccine early can help prevent infection by the human papillomavirus. However, as the vaccine cannot protect against all HPV strains, regular cervical screening is still necessary to prevent cervical cancer.

What Health Problems Can HPV Cause?

Most HPV infections do not cause any symptoms, but in some cases, they can lead to disease.
HPV transmitted through skin-to-skin contact can cause common warts on the hands and feet.
Sexually transmitted HPV infects the genital and anal areas, causing genital warts (commonly known as “cauliflower warts”).
High-risk HPV strains can lead to cancer over time, including cervical cancer, vulvar cancer, vaginal cancer, penile cancer, and anal cancer.

How Can I Know If I Have HPV?

There are several tests to check for abnormalities in cervical cells.
The most common method is the Pap smear test.
Another option is the HPV DNA genotyping test, which can detect the presence of specific high-risk HPV types even before cellular changes occur.

The First Line of Defense Against Cervical Cancer

Although Pap smear screening helps detect cell abnormalities, HPV infection can persist silently for years before progressing to cervical cancer.
During this stage, Pap tests may not always identify early changes.
Early screening using HPV DNA testing can detect the virus itself before it causes abnormal cell growth, offering a more effective way to prevent cervical cancer.

What Can HPV DNA Screening Detect?

• If HPV is detected:
  Consult a doctor for further assessment, such as colposcopy, to check for the presence of precancerous cervical cells.

• If HPV is not detected:
  This indicates no HPV infection was found in your cervical cells.
  Nonetheless, you should continue to undergo regular cervical screenings to ensure ongoing protection against cervical cancer.

Do I Need to Get an HPV DNA Test Before Vaccination?

Testing before vaccination is not mandatory.
HPV DNA testing helps identify early cellular changes caused by existing infection, while the HPV vaccine aims to prevent infection from specific HPV types you haven’t yet contracted.
However, for individuals who are already sexually active, a preliminary HPV DNA test can be useful to determine if the cervix is healthy and whether any early treatment is required.