HPV Facts for Young People

The types of HPV that can cause cancer in the genital region, anal region, and throat are mostly spread through sexual contact. They can also spread from one part your genital skin or throat to another part of your genital skin or throat.

HPV can cause cancer of the:

• cervix (part of the womb; cervical cancer)
• anus (anal cancer)
• back of the throat (oropharynx) or mouth (oropharyngeal cancer)
• vulva and vagina (vulvar and vaginal cancer)
• penis (penile cancer)

1. Get the HPV vaccine at the recommended age (ideally before becoming sexually active). Vaccination can prevent 90% of cervical and anal cancers and most other cancers caused by HPV. Talk to your healthcare provider to find out if you can have the HPV vaccine.
2. Use condoms whenever you can.  Consistent condom use can reduce (but not completely eliminate) the risk of getting HPV. The more consistently you use condoms, the more protected you will be. Using condoms 100% of the time reduces the risk of spreading HPV by about 70%.
3. A barrier method that reduces the risk of getting HPV during oral sex is a dental dam. Dental dams are latex or polyurethane sheets used between the mouth and vagina or anus during oral sex. A dental dam helps prevent the spread of sexually transmitted infections, including HPV.

1. Try to avoid getting HPV by getting vaccinated and using condoms (see above).
2. Go for cervical screening if it’s available. Cervical screening aims to detect the cell changes caused by HPV so that the abnormal cells can be removed before they can turn into cancer.  Many countries offer cervical screening- ask your healthcare provider for more information.  
3. Screening for changes caused by HPV in the anus is also available in some locations.  Anal screening is relatively new and is still very limited- ask your healthcare provider for more information.  
4. If you smoke, try to stop. Smoking can make it harder for your immune system to get rid of HPV.
5. If you have any symptoms or changes to your body that are unusual for you, such as pain in the anal or genital area, a new growth or lump, or bleeding, get them checked by a healthcare provider.

Different countries have different guidelines about who should have the HPV vaccine. Check with your healthcare provider. The most important target groups are:

• girls and boys aged 9-14 years
• older adolescents and young adults who missed out when they were younger, typically up to age 26 years
• older adults can receive the HPV vaccine in some countries up to age 45 years
• high-risk groups (e.g. men who have sex with men; people living with HIV and people with reduced immunity for reasons other than HIV)

Yes. The vaccine protects against any HPV types you have not yet been exposed to. Getting vaccinated might also protect your sexual partners. Talk to your healthcare provider to find out if you can have the HPV vaccine.

Yes.  HPV can cause warts on the skin of different parts of the body, including the hands and feet, the anal area, and the genital area.  The HPV types that cause genital warts are different from the types that cause warts on the hands and the feet.  The HPV types that cause genital warts are usually acquired through sexual contact.  You cannot get genital HPV infection or warts by shaking hands with or hugging someone.  The HPV types that cause genital warts usually do not cause cancer, and are different from the HPV types that cause pre-cancer or cancer.