When it affects the genitals, HPV often causes “mild” infections, that is, infections without noticeable symptoms. Usually, most of these infections are harmless and go away on their own within two years.^2-3 .

The most frequent HPV infections are attributable to strains 6, 11, 16 and 18. It is also to fight against these strains that the Gardasil vaccine^MC, has been created. Another vaccine, Cervarix^MC, specifically targets types 16 and 18⁴.

HPV types 6 and 11 cause mild infections. They are, however, responsible for 90% of cases of genital warts (condyloma). These warts rarely develop into cancer. But they can cause sexual dysfunction and even depression, in addition to disrupting married life.

HPV infection can progress to Cervical cancer when caused by high risk strains of cancer. However, less than 10% of these infections progress to cancer, according to the Quebec Immunization Committee.².

HPV types 16 and 18 alone are responsible for 70% of cervical cancer cases.

When an infection is persistent, a mutation occurs in the cells of the cervix in which the high-risk virus integrates into the chromosomes of the host cell. In this case, either the immune system eliminates the infection, or the infection causes so-called “precancerous” lesions.

It can take several years, or even decades, between infection and the appearance of cancer cells. They are most likely to appear in women who have not undergone a screening test, commonly called Pap test or Papanicolaou.

Among Canadian women aged 20 to 44, cervical cancer is the second most common cancer.

But all ages combined, it is considered infrequent in the country. He comes to 13^e rank of cancers affecting women, with 1 cases per year – including 350 in Quebec. Each year, 325 Canadian women – including 240 Quebec women – die from this cancer.

In 2007, cervical cancer affected seven women for every 100 inhabitants (six in Quebec), compared to 000 in 14,7, a drop of nearly 1978%².

The significant decrease in the frequency of this cancer is attributed to the Pap test, developed in the 1940s by Dr.^r George Papanicolaou and used for over 30 years. This test, which involves taking cells from the walls of the cervix for analysis, reduces the appearance of cervical cancer by 60% to 70%.⁶.

Genital warts photo credit: Dr Marc Steben