You Are the Key to HPV Cancer Prevention

One cause of cervical cancer is getting the human papilloma virus (HPV).  In fact, most cervical cancer cases are caused by HPV (CDC, 2013).  A person gets HPV thru sex and may show signs of the virus such as genital warts, but some people show no symptoms at all and do even know they have HPV.  If should ever get HPV your body's immune system will try to fight it off on its own, but it is not always able to (CDC, 2013).  The following public service announcement has been provided by the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention and discusses HPV's link to cervical cancer, how cervical cancer can be detected, some of the consequences of getting the cervical cancer, and how it can be prevented (CDC, 2013).    




The important take aways from this PSA are:

• A Pap Smear is can detect cervical cancer
• Cervical cancer can be prevented
• Getting the HPV vaccine is one way to minimizing your chances of getting both HPV and cervical cancer
• The HPV vaccine is currently available in the U.S. and is available for men and women
• The HPV vaccine includes 3 separate shots and all must be taken for the vaccine to work

References:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  (2013, February 5).  HPV and cancer.  Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/ hpv/cancer.html

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  (2013, November 25). You are the key to HPV cancer prevention[Video file].  Retrieved from http://youtu.be/E36aShFlEYo