Around 13 strains of HRHPV are linked to cervical cancer, with types 16 and 18 responsible for more than 70% of cases in the UK. HPV is passed on through close sexual contact, including vaginal, anal, and sometimes oral sex. It’s important to note that HRHPV infection doesn’t imply promiscuity, people who have had just one sexual partner can still contract the virus.

In most cases, your immune system clears the virus without you ever knowing it was there. But occasionally, the virus stays in the body, a condition known as persistent HRHPV infection, which can lead to abnormal cell changes, which if undetected and untreated, can increase the risk of cervical cancer. While anyone can be affected, your body will find it harder to clear the infection if you:

• Are a smoker
• Are HIV positive
• Are immunosuppressed (for example if you’ve received an organ transplant)

Put simply, the approach to HRHPV is based on: screening, treatment and prevention.

Cervical screening is a vital test that helps to detect early cell changes before they become serious. It’s quick, usually painless, and could save your life. Regular screening means any issues can be treated early, in many cases before you notice any symptoms at all.

Prevention is provided with the HPV vaccine (Gardasil 9) which, if given before the age of 17, reduces the risk of cervical cancer by about 80%. It’s still effective for older patients, and is licensed for men and women up to the age of 45.

Young people are now routinely vaccinated against HPV at school. If you missed out, or if you’ve come from abroad and not had the vaccine, you may still be eligible. It’s never too late to consider it.

While there’s no treatment for the HPV virus itself, we are able to treat any abnormal cells it may cause, which helps to prevent cervical cancer from developing. These changes are usually found during routine cervical screening (smear tests), which is why it’s so important to keep up to date with these appointments.

If your smear test shows abnormal cells, you’ll be referred for a colposcopy, a procedure that allows us a closer look at your cervix, and further treatment if needed.

Please get in touch if you'd like to find out more about vaccination or need advice after an abnormal smear result.