Mission BC Healthcare Tips – HPV (Human Papillomavirus)

HPV – What is it?

  • A virus often transmitted by skin to skin contact, often sexual activity
  • A virus that causes cancer – almost all cervical cancers as well as genital, oral and throat cancers
Mission BC Healthcare Tips - HPV (Human Papillomavirus)

Who is at risk? – all sexually active people

  • 75% of sexually active people acquire the infection

What does it do?

  • Causes Cancer
    • 99% of Cervical Cancer
    • Causes other cancers including genital, oral and throat
  • Causes warts
    • The common skin wart
    • Anal and genital warts

Prevention = Vaccination

  • Cervical Cancer rate dropped 88% with vaccination!
  • Vaccination safe – few side effects

Who Should be Vaccinated

  • Everyone ideally before starting sexual activity  
  • Free for all in grade 6
  • Free to everyone under age 19

Resources

Thank you, Dr. Maulik Baxi, Medical Director Population and Public Health, FHA for providing information for this article