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  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    What is the link between HPV and cervical cancer?

    Related Topics
    Cancer Cervical Cancer HPV & Pap tests
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    • Australian Cervical Cancer Foundation
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    Australian Cervical Cancer Foundation

    ACCF’s Vision is to protect and enhance women’s health by eliminating cervical cancer and enabling treatment for women with cervical cancer and related health issues, … View Profile

    Long term infection with certain types of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is now known to be the cause of almost all cervical cancers. Almost all abnormal Pap test results are caused by HPV.Anyone who has ever had sex can have HPV because it is commonly spread by sexual contact even though people may not be aware of any signs of symptoms at all. In rare cases, if the virus persists and is left undetected, it can lead to cervical cancer. This usually takes about 10 years.While HPV is very common, most women with HPV will not develop cervical cancer.Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a very common virus, with four out of five people having it at some stage of their lives. In some cases, it can increase a woman's risk of cervical cancer. However, most women with HPV do not develop cervical cancer. HPV is passed on through genital skin contact and is so common that it could be considered a normal part of being sexually active.After entering the body, HPV will behave in one of two ways: either remaining dormant (inside the body's cells), or becoming active. When active, warts can develop or it can affect cervical cells. It can take many years for the virus to become active and its presenve is usually short-lived. In most cases the body takes between 8 to 14 months to clear the virus naturally.Most people will have HPV at some time in their lives and never know it. You may become aware of HPV if you have an abnormal Pap test result, or if genital warts appear.Once you have been exposed to a particular type of HPV, you are unlikely to catch it again, as the body usually becomes immune to that type.There are about 100 different strains of HPV. Fortunately, the HPV vaccination protects against 2 of the main HPV types that cause 70-80% of cervical cancer.

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