HPV: Why it’s important to go for regular Pap smears

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is a serious health issue and is associated with 1 in 20 of all cancer cases in the world. Worldwide, cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer among women, and virtually all cases are attributable to HPV. Although it isn’t always spread by sexual contact, HPV is one of the most common viral sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in South Africa. In fact, about 80% of sexually active men and women are infected with the virus at some point in their lives. If you are sexually active, you can get HPV even if you were intimate with only one person.

What is HPV?

HPV are a group of more than 200 viruses which are spread through being intimate with someone who has the virus. Symptoms may develop years after a person has been infected, and the virus is extremely difficult to detect early on in women who don’t go for regular Pap smears.

Doctors recommend that all women should be screened for cervical cancer. In most cases, this involves getting regular Pap smears starting at age 21. They can also test for HPV at this time. Sometimes, HPV testing alone is used to screen for cervical cancer.

There are no tests to check for genital HPV infection in males, or HPV infection in the mouth or throat.

Symptoms may develop years after a person has been infected, and the virus is extremely difficult to detect early on in women who don’t go for regular Pap smears.

In 9 out of 10 cases, the HPV infection will go away on its own and not cause any health problems. However, if it doesn’t go away, it can cause health problems which may range from genital warts to invasive cervical cancer.

What symptoms may you experience if you have HPV?

Unfortunately, most people – men and women – don’t experience any symptoms if the HP virus is present in their bodies. That’s why regular Pap smears are so important for women, since testing is the only way to know for sure whether you are at risk for HPV-related cancers.

Can HPV be treated?

While there is no specific treatment for HPV, treatments do exist for health problems that develop from HPV. Doctors can, for instance, treat genital warts with prescription medication. Cancers from HPV can be treated more effectively if detected early.

How can you lower your risk of getting HPV?

The two most effective ways of lowering your chances of getting HPV (and health problems that develop from HPV) is to get vaccinated and use condoms:

• Get vaccinated. The HPV vaccine is safe and effective and can protect men and women against genital warts and certain cancers caused by HPV.
• Use condoms. Using condoms the right way can lower your risk of getting any STI, including HPV. Condoms are however not 100% effective, since HPV can infect areas which the condom does not cover.

What about HPV in men?

Most men who get HPV never develop any symptoms, and the infection usually goes away by itself. If HPV does not go away, it can cause genital warts or certain kinds of cancer. Currently, there is no approved routine test for HPV in men.

Why are routine Pap smears so important?

Pap smears help detect HPV. During the Pap smear, cervical cells are collected and sent for analysis. The sample is screened for any abnormalities which might indicate the presence of HPV.

The earlier this is detected, the better the chances of preventing it turning into cancer.

How often should you have a Pap smear?

Most experts recommend that you start having Pap smears at age 21, regardless of whether or not you have ever been sexually active. You do not need to start cervical cancer screening before 21, even if you became sexually active at a younger age. From then on, you should have a Pap smear every three years. If you are older than 65 years, you can stop getting Pap tests if you have had them regularly up to that point.

Why is the HPV vaccine so important?

The HPV vaccine can drastically reduce your risk of contracting one of the HPV types. All HPV vaccines protect against the two which pose the greatest risk for cervical cancer. Recent studies in the UK show that the HPV vaccine can reduce the number of cervical cancer cases by nearly 90%. The hope is that the vaccine will eliminate the virus in the future.

When should you get the HPV vaccine?

The HPV vaccine is significantly more effective if it is given before someone is sexually active. Most doctors recommend that people get the HPV vaccine at age 11 or 12, but the vaccine can be administered any time from age 9 to 26. Women should not get the vaccine if they are pregnant.

Teenagers younger than 15 years are typically given two injections at least six months apart. For ages 15 to 26, three shots are given over a six-month period.

Medihelp’s benefits for HPV vaccination

Medihelp Medical Aid offers a comprehensive basket of preventive care benefits on most of its medical aid plans. These include benefits for a Pap smear every three years for women between the ages of 21 and 65, as well as two HPV vaccinations for girls and boys between 10 and 14 years or three between 15 and 26 years.