From Infection to Cancer: Understanding the HPV-Cervical Cancer Connection"
Cervical cancer remains one of the most preventable yet common cancers affecting women worldwide. A major contributing factor to the development of this disease being the human papillomavirus (HPV). Therefore, it is important to understand the connection between HPV and cervical cancer to be able to make informed health decisions. What is Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)? HPV is the most common Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) globally. There are over 100 different strains of HPV, but only a few high-risk types are linked to cervical cancer. Most women contract this virus without even realizing it or manifesting symptom(s) and it usually resolve on its own. However, persistent infections with high-risk strains, such as HPV-16 and HPV-18, can lead to abnormal changes in the cells of the cervix and, over time, develop into cervical cancer under other enabling circumstances. Risk Factors for HPV-Related Cervical Cancer While HPV is the primary cause of cervical cancer, c...