Human papillomavirus (HPV) has been found to be associated with several types of cancer: cervical, vulvar, vaginal, penile, anal, and oropharyngeal (back of the throat, including the base of the tongue and tonsils). Each year, more than 21,000 HPV-associated cancers occur in women; cervical cancer is the most common. More than 12,000 HPV-associated cancers occur each year in men; oropharyngeal cancers are the most common.
Features
What CDC Is Doing
CDC is leading efforts to use cancer registry data to estimate how many human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated cancers occur in the United States.
Basic Information
When the body's immune system can't get rid of an HPV infection, the infection can cause cell changes that may lead to cancer.
Statistics
HPV is thought to be responsible for nearly all cervical cancers, most anal and vaginal cancers, and some vulvar, penile, throat, and mouth cancers.
HPV Vaccination
The HPV vaccine works by preventing the most common types of HPV that cause cervical cancer and genital warts.
Take Time to Save Your Life
The Pap test is the best way to prevent cervical cancer. Dr. Mona Saraiya discusses how the test is performed and when women should begin testing.
Listen to this podcast (3:27)
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