What Percentage of HPV Turns Into Cancer?

Get ready for an eye-opening read about one of the most prevalent sexually transmitted infections in the US and its potential link to cancer! Cancer is a disease that can cause uncontrollable cell growth in the body. Depending on where this growth originates, it will determine the name of the cancer.

Enter human papillomavirus, or HPV for short. This sneaky virus is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections in the United States, with over 40 types known to infect the genital regions of both men and women. But did you know that at least 13 of these types can cause cervical cancer? And that's not all - a few types can cause cancers in other parts of the body, like the vulva, vagina, penis, and anus, as well as a few types in the head and neck region.

But don't panic just yet! Not all types of HPV are created equal. Some are classified as "non-oncogenic," meaning they can't cause cancer, while others are classified as "oncogenic," which means they have the potential to cause cancer. It's important to note that the types of HPV that cause genital warts are not the same as the ones that cause cancer.



What's even scarier is that most people who contract HPV don't show any symptoms and are unaware that they have the infection. However, the body's immune system can typically eliminate the infection within two years. Unfortunately, at least 80% of women in the US will have been infected with HPV by age 50, and the virus is also highly prevalent in men.

So how can HPV infection lead to cancer? If the body's immune system fails to clear an HPV infection that leads to cancer, the strains persist and eventually transform normal cells into cancerous ones. For instance, around 10% of women with HPV infection in their cervix develop persistent infections that increase their risk of cervical cancer. Similarly, long-lasting high-risk HPV infections can cause cell changes, progressing to precancerous lesions in the vulva, vagina, penis, or anus. These lesions may eventually turn cancerous if left untreated.

But don't despair! There are ways to prevent HPV-associated cancers. Cervical, vaginal, vulvar, and anal cancers associated with HPV can be prevented with vaccines that protect against the most common types of HPV. Regular screening and follow-up treatment can also detect or prevent cervical cancer. It's also essential to build your immune system through a healthy lifestyle, getting plenty of rest, eating a diet rich in nutrients, and using HPV supplements such as AHCC, which is clinically shown to support immune function to fight HPV.

In summary, HPV is a common sexually transmitted infection that can cause cancer if left untreated. However, regular screening and vaccination can help prevent or detect HPV-associated cancers early, ensuring better outcomes for affected individuals. Did you know that high-risk HPVs are responsible for 3% of all cancers in women and 2% of all cancers that affect men in the US, with 45,000 cases of cancer found in the body in the areas where HPV is found every year, according to the National Cancer Institute? So don't wait; take control of your health and protect yourself from HPV-associated cancers today!