World Head and Neck Cancer Day
Just the Facts About HPV
The 27th of July is World Head and Neck Cancer Day. In the past, this type of cancer was mostly linked to smoking and heavy drinking, but now HPV (human papillomavirus) has become the leading cause.
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common skin infection that is spread by skin-to-skin contact during intimate sexual contact; this means you don’t even need to have full sex to spread the infection. Certain types of HPV cause visible genital warts. Most often, the HPV infection causes no warts and people don’t know they have it. However, in some people, it may cause abnormal cells which can sometimes lead to precancer or cancer, including cervical, vaginal, vulval, anal, penile and head and neck cancers.
Read on below to find out why HPV affects almost all of us at some time in our life.
What is HPV?
HPV is short for human papillomavirus, the name of a group of viruses that includes more than 150 different types that cause infection on the surface of the skin. More than 40 HPV types infect the anogenital area (vulva, vagina, cervix, penis and anus) and throat (pharynx and larynx) and the majority are sexually transmitted. In most people the virus is harmless and causes no symptoms.
Just the Facts about Throat Cancer
Find out the key facts about:
- Oral HPV infection
- Whether oral HPV can be transmitted to others
- HPV vaccination
- Further information & support
HPV Prevention
HPV is the 'common cold' of being sexually active. This means that the virus doesn't care who we are, or who we choose to have sex with. Most of us will be sharing HPV with our fellow human beings. The risk of acquiring genital warts and HPV-related cancers can be reduced. Together we can help eliminate the virus for future generations.
Find out more
Everything you need to know about HPV is in our information pamphlets and on our website.
Find out more
Everything you need to know about HPV is in our information pamphlets and on our website.
About us
Just the Facts is brought to you by the Sexually Transmitted Infections Education Foundation (STIEF) - an initiative funded by the Te Whatu Ora - Health NZ to educate New Zealanders about STIs.
The medical information in Just the Facts is based on the
STIEF
and NZ Sexual Health Society Guidelines for the management of STIs.
Te Whatu Ora - Health NZ supports the use of these clinical guidelines, developed by clinical experts and professional associations to guide clinical care in Aotearoa.
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