What do you really know about HPV?
In a 2005 Health Information National Trends Survey, only 40 percent of women respondents had heard of HPV and less than 20 percent knew it could lead to cervical cancer. Think back to 2005, before the commercials worked into your consciousness, how much did you know about HPV? Probably nothing, which is scary, considering about 10 women die from cervical cancer in America everyday, according to the American Cancer Society.
There are women who develop cervical cancer who have only had one partner and women who have had several partners. Discovering the link between a virus and cervical cancer is extraordinary, but it shouldn't lead people to believe those who develop cervical cancer were reckless with their sexual health. Here are some facts about HPV and cervical cancer the 30 second TV commercials don't include-but you should know:
1. What are the ways I can get HPV? HPV can be contracted through almost any sexual contact, sometimes even oral sex. Condoms decrease the risk by about 70 percent, but since any genital contact can spread HPV, the skin not covered by a condom puts you at risk. Most people with HPV show no symptoms. This means that practically anyone-from your husband to your one-night-stand-could pass along HPV.
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I need a little advise... My boyfriend has HPV and we use condoms so I thought we were protected but I am now not to sure but I think I may have gotten HPV from him and i'm scared to even brong the subject up to him... what should I do?
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| -- Los Angeles |
You are tested for HPV by getting a pap. . . however I'm pretty sure you need to request that you are tested for HPV specifically, otherwise your Doctor may not test you for it.
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When you go to get a Pap, do they automatically check you for HPV. Or do you have to ask them to do so?
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