Which cancers are linked to HPV?

HPV, or human papillomavirus, is a very common virus that affects most women and men at some point in their lifetime. About 100 types of HPV can affect different parts of the body. Most are harmless and go away on their own. However, there are about 45 types of HPV that can be spread easily by skin-to-skin contact in the genital area. About 15 of these are considered high-risk and can cause abnormal cells that can lead to cancer. In fact, high-risk HPV cause¹ virtually all cases of cervical cancer.

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How does HPV link to cancer?

You may be wondering how a common virus can lead to something as serious as cancer. Here’s how:

• HPV is spread easily by even a brief moment of skin-to-skin contact in the genital area. In other words, you don’t have to have intercourse to get HPV – you can get it through oral sex or simply touching.
• About 70 out of every 100 people in Alberta will have an HPV in their lifetime.³
• Because high-risk HPV doesn’t cause symptoms, most people don’t even know they have it – or that they’re passing it on to their partner. The virus can actually hide in your body for years without any sign of it.
• For most people, the body fights the HPV infection and clears the virus on its own without doing any harm.
• But when one or more of the 15 or so high-risk types of HPV stay in the body longer, they can cause changes in cells that can lead to cancer.

How can I prevent HPV?

Condoms lower the risk of HPV. Keep in mind that the virus may be on skin that isn’t covered by a condom, so HPV can still be passed on even if condoms are used. 

The HPV vaccine Gardasil® 9 protects against 9 of the most common and harmful types of HPV (types 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, 58).

In Canada, HPV causes:^3,4

• About 75 out of every 100 cases of anal cancer.
• About 57 out of every 100 cases of penile cancer.
• About 72 out of every 100 cases of vaginal and vulvar cancer.
• About 25 out of every 100 cases of head and neck cancer.

The vaccine works best when given before sexual activity begins, before any exposure to HPV. But people may benefit from the HPV vaccine even if they have been sexually active. This is because the vaccine may offer protection from the types of HPV they haven’t yet been exposed to.

The Alberta school-based immunization program offers the vaccine free of charge to all girls in grade five. As of September 2014, the school-based immunization program includes boys in grade five with a four-year catch-up program for grade nine boys.

• Like all Alberta school-based immunization programs, the HPV immunization program is voluntary. A parent or guardian needs to provide consent before the HPV vaccine is given.
• Public health nurses give three doses of HPV vaccine in the arm over six months.

People who are no longer in school and are interested in the vaccine should speak with their healthcare provider. 

What else does the HPV vaccine protect against?

The HPV vaccine Gardasil®9 protects against nine of the most common and harmful types of HPV. By making the decision to use condoms, you can reduce your chance of getting any type of HPV infection. Keep in mind that the virus may be on skin that isn’t covered by a condom, so HPV could still be passed on, even if condoms are used.¹

Tips to reduce your risk of getting HPV and the cancers it can cause

Helpful tips from Alberta Health Services’ Cancer Screening Programs and Immunization Program:

• Talk to your healthcare provider about the HPV vaccine and whether it’s right for you.
• Limit the number of sexual partners you have because any skin-to-skin contact in the genital area increases your exposure to HPV. Knowing your partner’s sexual history is also important.
• Make the decision to use condoms, which can reduce your chance of getting HPV. But realize that condoms do not always protect against HPV because they do not cover the entire genital area.
• If you are a woman and have ever been sexually active, you should get a Pap test regularly. Pap tests are the best way to find abnormal cells on the cervix caused by HPV that don’t go away on their own. These abnormal cells can be followed closely if found early. The cells can be treated, if needed, so that cervical cancer does not develop.
• Women should start having Pap tests at age 21, or three years after becoming sexually active, whichever is later.
• Even if you have had the HPV vaccine, get a Pap test regularly. The HPV vaccine does not protect against all the types of HPV that cause cervical cancer.

Also, don’t smoke, and limit second-hand smoke exposure. Tobacco exposure in people with HPV increases the risk of cancer.