WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW ABOUT HPV?
FACT:
Being in a monogamous relationship does not protect you from HPV infection. All it takes is 1 infected partner for you to be infected. You can spread the virus without knowing you are infected because you may not have any visible symptoms.
FACT:
If you have ever been sexually active, you could have an HPV infection. It is estimated that 75% of sexually-active Canadians will have at least one HPV infection during their lifetime.
FACT:
HPV vaccination is NOT just for kids. You can get the virus at any point in your life that you are sexually active. If you’re aged 9 through 45, it’s not too late to get vaccinated.
FACT:
Even if you’ve already had an HPV infection, you can still benefit from HPV vaccination. If you’re already infected with one type of HPV contained in the vaccine, GARDASIL®9 will help protect you against the other eight types.
FACT:
Using condoms may reduce your chances of getting HPV, but it is highly contagious, and condoms do not provide full protection. It only protects the area it covers. You can still get infected just by skin-to-skin or oral contact with the genital area, and without having intercourse. That said, using a condom is a great way to reduce your risk of HPV infection, not to mention an excellent way to protect against other sexually transmitted infections.
FACT:
It is estimated that every 15 minutes, one Canadian develops genital warts.
FACT:In 2012, oropharyngeal cancer was the most common HPV-related cancer in Canada (1,335 cases of oropharyngeal cancer, followed by 1,300 cases of cervical cancer and 475 cases of anal cancer).
FACT:In 2020, it was estimated that the rate of oropharyngeal cancer was ~4x higher in males than females.
HPV-related cancers & diseases
HPV infection can lead to several HPV-related cancers and diseases in men and women.
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Symptoms can include abnormal vaginal bleeding, pain during intercourse, increased vaginal discharge, pain in the pelvic area or lower back, weight loss, lack of energy and shortness of breath.
Photograph courtesy of Dr. Michel Roy
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Symptoms can include a lump or sore in the head and neck area that does not heal, a sore throat that doesn’t go away, white or red patches in the mouth, difficulty swallowing or a change in the voice.
Photograph courtesy of Dr. Anthony Zeitouni
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Symptoms can include anal bleeding, difficulty passing stools, pain, lumps, itching or discharge.
Photograph courtesy of Dr. Alex Ferenczy
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Often shows no signs. Can cause itchiness or burning that does not go away, pain in the pelvic area, abnormal vaginal bleeding, difficulty urinating or painful intercourse.
Photograph courtesy of Dr. Michel Roy
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Small, cauliflower-like growths that may itch or burn. They can be raised or flat, small or large, and grow alone or in clusters.
Photograph courtesy of Dr. Alex Ferenczy
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Can appear as a raised, wart-like or flat growth on the head or foreskin of the penis and can be painful and inflamed, with some itching and burning in the area.
Photograph courtesy of Dr. Alex FerenczyAnal cancer, or cancer of the anus, is rare but increasing.
In 2016, 200 men were diagnosed with anal cancer in Canada.
HPV is the leading cause of genital warts.
HPV types 6 and 11 cause over 90% of genital warts in men and women.
HPV IS RESPONSIBLE FOR NEARLY 100% OF CERVICAL CANCER CASES
Cervical cancer will kill an estimated 380 Canadian women in 2022.*
It is estimated that 4 cases of cervical cancer are diagnosed in Canada every day.
Cervical cancer is the 3rd most common cancer in Canadian women 20–40 years of age.
Learn more about HPV-related cancers and diseases.
WHAT IF YOU COULD HELP PREVENT CERTAIN HPV-RELATED CANCERS WITH A VACCINE?
IN MEMORY OF CHRISTA†
Even if you think you’re too young, you could still be at risk. This is Christa’s story. Diagnosed with cervical cancer at age 33.
MEET HEATHER†
Even if you’re a healthy new mom, you could still be at risk. This is Heather’s story. Diagnosed with cervical cancer at age 27.
