HPV awareness may prevent cervical cancer

The Human Papillomavirus, commonly known as HPV or wart virus,

is a sexually transmitted disease spread by skin-to-skin contact.

One in five Americans carries HPV, making it the most common STD in

America. In some cases, carriers never develop symptoms. Many are

unaware they have HPV.

Some types of HPV affect the genital area of both men and women,

yet other types can affect the mouth and anal area of the body.

Genital warts are small round bumps on, around or inside of the sex

organ. Symptoms of HPV include itching, burning, pain, bleeding,

pain with intercourse or tenderness.

According to The American College of Obstetricians and

Gynecologists, women with multiple sex partners or who have had a

partner with multiple sex partners are more prone to contracting

genital warts. HPV is spread by close contact through vaginal,

anal, or in some rare cases, through oral sex.

There are many types of HPV and some types are more risky then

others. Low-risk types of HPV cause genital warts or non-cancerous

changes in the cervix. Other high-risk types of HPV can cause

cancer of the cervix.

Most cases of HPV are not health threatening. If a Pap test

shows cell changes in the cervix, it may indicate high-risk HPV.

Whether one will develop a cancerous high-risk HPV is unknown.

Sandy Hellman, nurse practitioner, at the BSU Health and Wellness

Center said cervical cancer usually takes years to develop. It can

be prevented if a female gets a Pap test at regular intervals. If

abnormal cells show up, they can be monitored and/or treated before

progressing to cervical cancer. For men there are no generalized

screenings, but if symptoms due occur there is treatment for

genital warts.

“If you think you have symptoms of genital warts you

should make an appointment with a health care provider for a skin

evaluation,” Hellman said.

“You can be seen in the student health center for this

concern, and both male and female providers are available. All

medical information is confidential, and HPV is not

reportable.”

In 2001, the Idaho State Legislature passed the Every Woman

Matters Law. This law allows women who have been diagnosed with

breast or cervical cancer to use Medicaid, under conditions that

they are citizens, eligible immigrants and have no insurance that

will pay for the treatment according to a progress report. In 2002,

thirty women where referred to Medicaid for treatment through this

program. Federal funds pay for 75 percent of the costs, and the

State of Idaho is responsible for 25 percent.

BriAnne Anderson, The Arbiter

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