Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the United States, affecting millions of women and men every year. There are more than 200 types of HPV, and about 12 of those strains are high-risk types — viruses more closely associated with the development of certain cancers.
At Harbor Community Health Centers, our team offers regular testing for HPV infection, helping patients manage their risks of current HPV infections and even prevent future infections. In recognition of National Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, our team reviews some basics about HPV infection and what to do if you’re diagnosed with high-risk HPV infection.
HPV is a virus that’s most commonly spread through sexual contact, including vaginal, anal, and oral sex. In fact, it’s estimated that most sexually active adults will become infected at some point in their lives.
The good news: Most HPV infections clear up independently, thanks to your body’s natural immune response. But some strains of HPV are far more stubborn, persisting in your body and increasing your risks of warts and cancer.
The virus is detected with a Pap smear or an HPV screening in our office. If you have an infection, lab testing can determine if you have a type of virus considered high risk. High-risk strains are strains that have been linked with cervical cancers, along with cancers of the vulva, vagina, penis, anus, and throat.
If we determine you have a high-risk strain of HPV, that doesn’t mean you have cancer, and it doesn’t even mean you will develop cancer in the future. Instead, it means you should take certain steps to monitor your health to reduce your risk of potential complications.
If your HPV lab results show you have a high-risk strain of the virus, our team typically recommends an additional exam to look for unusual changes or abnormal tissue that could be a sign of cancer. For most women, that means having an exam called a colposcopy.
Colposcopy is performed similarly to a regular pelvic exam. Once the speculum is inserted in your vagina, we position a lighted magnifying scope at the entrance to your vagina. This scope allows us to spot abnormal tissue areas to obtain samples (biopsies) for lab evaluation.
If your lab results show precancerous cells are present, we can recommend additional therapies to remove the tissue. Having a high-risk HPV infection means you’ll need regular monitoring to look for abnormal tissue so you can effectively reduce your risk of cancer.
Having high-risk HPV doesn’t mean you’ll develop cancer, but it does mean you need to take extra precautions to monitor your health. Healthy lifestyle choices, like quitting smoking, being more physically active, or following a healthy eating plan, are essential, too.
Finally, you can act as an advocate for HPV vaccination. Designed to prevent infection with high-risk subtypes, HPV vaccination works best when it’s given to girls before they become sexually active, but for many young women, later vaccination may also provide some benefits.
If you’ve been diagnosed with high-risk HPV, we can help you devise a management plan based on your specific needs. To learn more, call 310-547-0202 today to schedule an appointment with the Harbor Community Health Centers team at one of our two San Pedro, California locations.
