Almost all sexually active people are infected by HPV: Know about the virus

New Delhi,UPDATED: Jan 19, 2024 12:26 IST

If you've planned to start your new year with health and self-care, then empower yourself with the knowledge of cervical cancer. January is known as Cervical Cancer Awareness Month. Understand all about the role of the HPV virus in the development of cervical cancer and what can be done to prevent it.

Human Papillomavirus, commonly known as HPV, is the most prevalent sexually transmitted infection (STI) globally.

It is a group of more than 200 related viruses, with certain types posing significant health risks, including the development of cervical cancer.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women across the globe.

“The contribution of HIV to cervical cancer disproportionately affects younger women, and as a result, 20% of children who lose their mother to cancer do so due to cervical cancer,” says WHO.

As per the health agency, HPV can affect the skin, genital area and throat. In most cases, the immune system clears HPV from the body. But persistent infection can cause abnormal cells to develop in the body which can become cancerous.

What is HPV?

HPV is a virus that can be transmitted through intimate skin-to-skin contact, including vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone who has the virus.

It is so common that nearly all sexually active individuals will contract it at some point in their lives, according to WHO.

In fact, there were about 43 million HPV infections in 2018 alone, predominantly among people in their late teens and early 20s.

While many types of HPV are harmless and do not cause any symptoms, others can lead to health problems such as genital warts and various forms of cancer.

How does HPV cause cervical cancer?

The link between HPV and cervical cancer is particularly strong. High-risk types of HPV, especially HPV 16 and HPV 18, are responsible for the majority of HPV-related cancers. These high-risk HPVs can cause changes in the epithelial cells of the cervix, leading to dysplasia, which is an abnormal growth of these cells.

Dysplasia can range from mild to high grade, with the latter having a greater potential to develop into cancer.

HPV causes cervical cancer by integrating its DNA into the host cells. Two proteins produced by the virus, E6 and E7, interfere with tumour suppressor genes. This disruption allows the cells lining the cervix to proliferate excessively and accumulate genetic mutations, which can eventually lead to cancer.

While HPV infection leads to the development of cervical cancer, other factors, such as smoking, having a weakened immune system, and long-term use of oral contraceptives, can increase the risk.

Symptoms of cervical cancer

Cervical cancer may not show symptoms in the early stages. However, as the disease progresses, warning signs such as unusual vaginal bleeding, including post-coital bleeding, bleeding between periods or after menopause, watery or foul-smelling vaginal discharge, and pelvic pain, especially during intercourse, may emerge.

Another early sign of cervical cancer involves ulcers and irregular surfaces on the cervix after examination.
Prevention and early detection of HPV

Vaccines can prevent most cases of cervical, vaginal, vulvar, and anal cancers caused by HPV. Safe sexual practices and routine cervical screening (previously known as a smear test) can identify HPV and abnormal cell changes.

In India, 'Cervavac' is the first indigenous HPV vaccine for the prevention of cervical cancer and other HPV-associated cancers. According to a study published in The Lancet Oncology, the vaccine was found to be safe and as immunogenic as Gardasil, a quadrivalent HPV vaccine marketed by US-based Merck.