Quick Facts About Cervical Cancer and HPV
- Cervical cancer is highly preventable through regular screening.
- Cervical cancer is almost always caused by a common virus – human papillomavirus (HPV).
- Most women will have HPV at some point in their lives, but few will develop cervical cancer.
- Only HPV infection that persists for several years can put a woman at risk for cervical cancer.
- Screening for cervical cancer can be done by your doctor using just a Pap test if you’re younger than 30 or a Pap and HPV test if you’re 30 or older.
- A Pap test looks for cell changes in the cervix that might lead to cancer. The HPV test looks for the virus that causes cervical cancer. When used together, the Pap and HPV test can better identify women needing early intervention to prevent cervical cancer.
- Women should ask their healthcare providers for the tests that best meet their screening needs.
- In addition, an HPV vaccine is now available for girls and women 9-26. Although the vaccine will help prevent HPV infections, screening will still be needed to prevent cervical cancer.
In fact, most women who get HPV will get rid of the virus through their body’s normal healing process.
This fact sheet is produced by the NCWO Women’s Health Task Force. The initial focus of the task force is cervical cancer, a disease that is 100% preventable. Please consider joining the Women’s Health Task Force by contacting either task force co-chair, Carolyn Jacobson or Aimee Gallagher.
Women’s Health Task Force
- Association of Reproductive Health Professionals
- Catholics for a Free Choice
- Coalition of Labor Union Women (CLUW)
- Feminist Majority
- Hadassah
- National Family Planning & Reproductive Health Association
- National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health
- National Organization for Women (NOW), Palm Beach County Chapter
- National Partnership for Women & Families
- National Research Center (NRC) forWomen & Families
- National Women’s Editorial Forum
- Older Women’s League (OWL)