Sex Ed: HPV — Warts and why women need Paps

The human papillomavirus (HPV) is a virus that is not quite as scary as HIV, but nonetheless causes problems in sexual health.

The virus is transmitted sexually by direct skin to skin contact. The spread of the infection can be reduced — you guessed it — by using condoms. HPV causes two main problems: warts and cervical cancer.

Condyloma is the fancy medical word for genital warts. They are hard, usually painless bumps that can sprout on or near the vagina, penis and anus. Although the warts are caused by HPV, they are more of a nuisance and a cosmetic problem than anything else.

Warts do not become cancers. These bumps are stubborn critters, but with various treatments 80 per cent of patients can get rid of them. However, the virus itself often remains, which means that it can still be transmitted even if no warts are visible.

One study showed that a quarter of people who have warts have another STD as well — so be sure to be checked for other infections if you have genital warts.

The place where HPV can cause real harm is a woman’s cervix (the opening into the uterus which is found a few centimetres up inside the vagina). HPV transmitted through intercourse can invade the cells of the cervix and this can lead to cancer. Smoking also increases the chances of developing cervical cancer — as if there weren’t enough reasons to quit already!

The good news is that cancer in this area takes many years to develop, so it can be found before it causes a problem — that’s where the Pap smear comes in.

So, what’s a Pap? Pap smears, named after Dr. Papinalacou, who invented them, are an excellent way to look at the cells at the cervix.

Under a microscope, if the cells show early changes that can lead to cancer, then effective treatment can be started. It takes a few minutes with a nurse or doctor and involves having a small sample of cells taken from the cervix with a brush.

It’s that easy! No woman should ever die from this disease. Sadly, Iqaluit is the only place where I have seen advanced cervical cancer, and the woman’s death was an avoidable tragedy.

Some women and their partners worry that when a doctor suggests they get a Pap it means we suspect they have an STD. Not so.

It’s just like being checked for diabetes or high blood pressure — we are trying to prevent disease before it happens. Having a Pap smear once a year is a very important way for women who have been sexually active to prevent cervical cancer. If you have one long-term partner and have had three normal Paps in a row, then every two years is OK. Just like using condoms and understanding birth control, knowledge is power and prevention is the key!

Confidential questions or comments? Send an e-mail to nunatsiaqsexed@hotmail.com or drop a note by the news office. Next week: Herpes.

Madeleine Cole is a physician at Baffin Regional Hospital.