Prevention

A vaccine is now available that protects against the types of human papillomavirus (HPV) that most often cause cervical, vaginal, vulvar, and anal precancers and cancers, as well as the types of HPV that cause most genital warts. At this time, the HPV vaccine has not been shown to prevent precancers or cancers in other areas of the body, such as the penis or head and neck.

For information about who is recommended to receive the vaccine, please see HPV Vaccines.

Cervical cancerCervical cancer also can be prevented or found early through regular screening with the Pap test and follow-up treatment. The Pap testPap test (or Pap smear) looks for precancers (cell changes on the cervix that might become cervical cancer if they are not treated appropriately). The HPV DNA test may also be used with the Pap test for women aged 30 years and older. It looks for the virus that can cause these cell changes.

Currently, screening tests for other types of HPV-associated cancers are not recommended.