🔬 HPV and Cancer — The Connection Most People Don't Know About

Human papillomavirus — HPV — is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the world. Most people who have heard of it associate it with genital warts, or have a vague awareness that it's connected to cervical cancer. But the full picture of how HPV relates to cancer is significantly broader than most people realise — and understanding it changes how you think about prevention.

What is HPV?

HPV is not a single virus. It's a family of more than 200 related viruses, transmitted through skin-to-skin contact — including sexual contact. Most people who are sexually active will contract at least one strain of HPV at some point in their lives. In the majority of cases, the immune system clears the infection on its own within one to two years, without any symptoms or complications.

The problem arises with certain high-risk strains that the immune system doesn't clear — and that, over time, can cause cellular changes that lead to cancer.

Which cancers are linked to HPV?

This is the part that surprises most people. HPV is associated with six different types of cancer — not just one.

Cervical cancer is the most well-known HPV-related cancer. Almost all cases of cervical cancer — approximately 99% — are caused by HPV. Two strains in particular, HPV-16 and HPV-18, are responsible for the majority of cases.

Anal cancer is significantly linked to HPV, particularly HPV-16. The risk is higher among men who have sex with men and among people living with HIV, though anal cancer can affect anyone.

Oropharyngeal cancer — cancer of the back of the throat, base of the tongue, and tonsils — is increasingly linked to HPV, particularly HPV-16. Cases of HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer have been rising in many countries, and in some places HPV has overtaken tobacco as the leading cause of this type of cancer.

Vaginal cancer is caused by HPV in the majority of cases — approximately 75%.

Vulvar cancer is linked to HPV in around 70% of cases.

Penile cancer is associated with HPV in approximately 60% of cases.

Why most people don't know about this

The conversation around HPV has historically focused almost entirely on cervical cancer and, by extension, on cisgender women. This has left significant gaps in public awareness — particularly around anal cancer, oropharyngeal cancer, and HPV-related cancers in people of all genders.

Gay and bisexual men, for example, are at significantly elevated risk of anal cancer — yet HPV vaccination uptake in this group has historically been lower than in cisgender women, partly because early vaccination programmes were targeted almost exclusively at girls.

The reality is that HPV-related cancers can affect anyone with a throat, an anus, a vulva, a vagina, or a penis. Gender is not a reliable filter for risk.

The vaccine — what it covers and who should get it

The HPV vaccine is one of the most effective cancer prevention tools available. Current vaccines protect against the high-risk strains most associated with cancer — including HPV-16 and HPV-18 — as well as strains associated with genital warts.

The vaccine is most effective when given before first exposure to HPV — which is why it's typically offered to adolescents. However, it can still provide protection when given to adults who haven't yet been exposed to the strains it covers, and many countries now offer catch-up vaccination to older age groups.

Availability and age eligibility vary by country. In many places, the vaccine is now available to men who have sex with men through sexual health clinics, regardless of age. If you're unsure of your vaccination status or eligibility, a healthcare provider or sexual health clinic can advise.

Screening — what exists and what doesn't

Cervical screening — through smear tests or HPV testing — is an established, effective programme that catches cellular changes before they become cancer. Regular cervical screening has significantly reduced cervical cancer mortality in countries where it's widely implemented.

Anal cancer screening is less established globally, but is recommended for higher-risk groups in some clinical guidelines — particularly men who have sex with men and people living with HIV. If you're in a higher-risk group and haven't discussed anal cancer screening with a healthcare provider, it's worth raising.

There is currently no routine screening programme for HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer, penile cancer, vaginal cancer, or vulvar cancer. This makes vaccination — and awareness of unusual symptoms — particularly important for these cancers.

What symptoms to be aware of

Because most HPV infections and HPV-related cellular changes are asymptomatic in their early stages, symptoms are not a reliable indicator. However, some signs worth discussing with a healthcare provider include unusual sores, lumps, or changes in the genital or anal area, persistent sore throat or difficulty swallowing that doesn't resolve, unusual bleeding, and any persistent change in the mouth or throat.

None of these are necessarily HPV-related — but they're worth investigating rather than waiting to see if they resolve.

Where CLEAR fits in

HPV itself is not part of a standard STI screen — there is no blood test that reliably detects HPV infection in adults, and the virus is diagnosed through cervical smears, visual examination, or biopsy rather than through the type of sample collection used in routine STI testing.

However, regular comprehensive STI testing remains an important part of sexual health care — particularly because some STIs increase susceptibility to HPV-related complications. People living with HIV, for example, are at higher risk of HPV-related cancers, making regular monitoring and vaccination especially important.

CLEAR's at-home Ship Kit covers key STIs including HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and hepatitis B and C — with PCR-based results delivered privately within 48 hours.

For HPV specifically, the most important steps are vaccination if not already vaccinated, regular cervical screening if you have a cervix, and discussing anal cancer screening with a healthcare provider if you're in a higher-risk group.

🔗 Learn more via the link in Bio.

Bottom line

HPV is not just a cervical cancer issue. It's linked to six different cancers, it can affect people of any gender, and it's almost entirely preventable through vaccination. The gap between what most people know about HPV and what the evidence shows is significant — and closing that gap starts with accurate information.

Get vaccinated if you haven't. Screen where screening exists. And don't assume that HPV is someone else's issue. 🤍

The information in this article is intended for general educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for personal medical guidance.