What is HPV?
Human papilloma virus (HPV) cannot cause breast cancer. Planned Parenthood states there are more than 100 types of HPV and the vaccine protects against two types that causes 70 percent of HPV cases in the U.S. If you have other factors in your medical history that predisposes you to breast cancer, those may prevail.
HPV increases your risk for infertility and cervical cancer. In some states, an HPV vaccine was made available to girls ages 11 and older. It was offered from a public health standpoint to protect them from infertility and cancer risk.
How Do I Get HPV?
HPV is a sexually-transmitted disease from direct sexual contact. It is often asymptomatic and people may have it and show no obvious physical symptoms.
Women who get a Pap smear test every three years can ask to be screened for HPV. If you get an abnormal Pap result, your doctor may suggest a HPV test.
There are currently no HPV tests for men.
Should I Worry About HPV?
If you get regular physical exams and a Pap test as directed by your doctor, you should be fine. If you are in a high-risk category of having several sexual partners that may have not been tested for HPV, you might consider getting tested more frequently.
If you have HPV, your doctor might suggest you boost your immune system by managing stress, stopping smoking and other lifestyle changes and retesting in six months. It is possible to retest as negative for HPV if you take your doctor's advice.
Tags: your doctor
