HPV: A growing problem among sexually active women
By Chaz Kyser
Issue date: 9/12/07 Section: News
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While most sexually active American women know the importance of getting tested for HIV, far too many are unaware of the need to also be screened for human papillomavirus (HPV), a virus that has the potential to also be life threatening.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), HPV is a common virus that affects both males and females. There are more than 100 distinct strains of HPV and most types are relatively harmless, such as ones that cause warts on the hands and feet. However, about 30 types can be transmitted sexually; these are called genital HPV types. It is estimated that at least 50 percent of sexually active people will get genital HPV at some point in their lives, and 80 percent of women will have acquired it by age 50.
Doctors urge women to be screened for HPV because some of the types that are contracted sexually can cause cervical cancer. These are referred to as "high risk" types. The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2007, about 11,150 cases of invasive cervical cancer will be diagnosed in the US, and about 3,670 women will die from the disease.
HPV is easily transmitted and anyone who has had sexual activity involving genital contact can become infected-even with regular condom usage. Most people who have HPV do not show any signs or symptoms, unless they have genital warts, which is deemed a "low risk" HPV type.
Although men are just as likely to have HPV as women-and spread it-there is currently not a test for men. However, it rarely causes serious health complications in heterosexual males. Women can get screened for the virus along with their pap smear, which they are supposed to have annually.
"Annual exams allow the opportunity to educate women about their health care risks, as well as advantages of new health care technology," said Dr. Jeffrey Smith, a gynecologist in Oklahoma City who specializes in gynecologic oncology.
Some doctors automatically test for the virus; others just look for tell-tales signs that a woman may have it by looking for abnormalities on the pap smear. Smith says he routinely tests for it because it gives patients a better understanding of their risk. Between 20 to 25 percent of the 200 patients he has screened this year for HPV have tested positive. Approximately 15 percent of those had high-risk HPV.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), HPV is a common virus that affects both males and females. There are more than 100 distinct strains of HPV and most types are relatively harmless, such as ones that cause warts on the hands and feet. However, about 30 types can be transmitted sexually; these are called genital HPV types. It is estimated that at least 50 percent of sexually active people will get genital HPV at some point in their lives, and 80 percent of women will have acquired it by age 50.
Doctors urge women to be screened for HPV because some of the types that are contracted sexually can cause cervical cancer. These are referred to as "high risk" types. The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2007, about 11,150 cases of invasive cervical cancer will be diagnosed in the US, and about 3,670 women will die from the disease.
HPV is easily transmitted and anyone who has had sexual activity involving genital contact can become infected-even with regular condom usage. Most people who have HPV do not show any signs or symptoms, unless they have genital warts, which is deemed a "low risk" HPV type.
Although men are just as likely to have HPV as women-and spread it-there is currently not a test for men. However, it rarely causes serious health complications in heterosexual males. Women can get screened for the virus along with their pap smear, which they are supposed to have annually.
"Annual exams allow the opportunity to educate women about their health care risks, as well as advantages of new health care technology," said Dr. Jeffrey Smith, a gynecologist in Oklahoma City who specializes in gynecologic oncology.
Some doctors automatically test for the virus; others just look for tell-tales signs that a woman may have it by looking for abnormalities on the pap smear. Smith says he routinely tests for it because it gives patients a better understanding of their risk. Between 20 to 25 percent of the 200 patients he has screened this year for HPV have tested positive. Approximately 15 percent of those had high-risk HPV.
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