Questions and Answers

What is Human Papillomavirus (HPV)?
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a virus that can infect many parts of the body in both men and women. There are over 100 different types of HPV. Some types of HPV can develop into warts that are generally not harmful (low-risk types) and some may cause certain types of cancers (high-risk types). If not detected by screening and treated, early changes (dysplasia) can lead to cancer of the cervix (lower part of the woman’s uterus that leads into the vagina).

How does someone get HPV?
Some types of HPV can be spread during sexual contact with a person who is already infected. HPV is estimated to be one of the most common sexually transmitted infections (STI) in Canada and around the world. Any person who has sexual contact can get the virus.

What are the signs and symptoms of an HPV infection?
Most HPV infections occur without any symptoms and go away with no treatment. Because most HPV infections have no symptoms, people who are infected can pass it on to others without knowing it. It is possible to have more than one type of HPV at a time.

How can someone prevent getting HPV?
The only way to completely avoid HPV infection is to not have sexual contact (skin-to-skin contact) with the vagina, vulva (the outside parts of a woman’s genitals), penis, scrotum or anus. Condoms can offer protection from the HPV and other sexually transmitted infections, but skin that is not covered by the condom can still be exposed and infected.

Other ways to reduce your risk of infection are to:

wait until you are older before having sex;
limit your number of sexual partners; and
consider your partners' sexual history, as they may not know they are infected with HPV (ex: if they have had multiple previous partners).

What is the link between HPV infection and cervical cancer?
Ongoing high-risk HPV infections that are not treated early are considered to be associated with the development of cervical cancer. It is estimated that over 99 per cent of cervical cancers are caused by certain types of HPV viruses. Certain types of HPV may rarely also play a role in cancers of the anus, penis, oropharynx (in the throat, at the back of the mouth) and other areas of a woman’s genitals such as the vulva or vagina.

In 2007, the estimated number of new cases of cervical cancer in Canada was 1350, and approximately 390 women are expected to die from the disease.

In Manitoba, approximately 45 women are diagnosed with cervical cancers each year and approximately 15 deaths are reported each year.

What is the HPV vaccine?
HPV vaccines have been in development for many years. One of these vaccines was approved for use in Canada in July 2006. If administered before being exposed to HPV, this vaccine protects from infection from four of the most common types of HPV viruses (types 6, 11, 16 and 18).

Why is the HPV vaccine recommended for women?
The goal of the immunization program is to reduce the risk of cervical cancers in women. Since the vaccine does not protect against all types of HPV that cause cancer, women who receive the vaccine should continue to be screened regularly with a Pap test. For more information on screening, women should talk to their health care provider or contact the Manitoba Cervical Cancer Screening Program.

Who will be offered the vaccine? When will it be offered?
Manitoba Health and Healthy Living will introduce a voluntary, publicly-funded vaccine program for grade six girls in the 2008-09 school year. The program will be delivered by public health nurses. Before any pre–teen woman receives the immunization, information about HPV infections, the vaccine, and a consent form will be provided to parents and/or legal guardians.

The vaccine works best when it is given to young women before they start having sexual contact. It does not work as well for those who were exposed to the viruses before getting the vaccine.

Currently, the vaccine is not licensed in Canada for men, but studies are underway to explore this option for the future.

Is the HPV vaccine safe?
Health Canada has approved the vaccine for use in Canada following scientific review of its quality, safety and effectiveness. Once a vaccine is in use, Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada will continue to monitor its use.

Can cervical cancer be prevented?
Yes. The HPV vaccine is expected to reduce the risk of getting cervical cancer.

Because the vaccine only protects against two types of cancer-causing HPV viruses, it will remain important for all women to practice safer sex and to continue to get screened with the “Pap test” .The Pap test can detect abnormal changes on the cervix before they develop into cancer. Cervical cancer and death from cervical cancer are found more often in women who have not had regular Pap tests.

The Manitoba Cervical Cancer Screening Program offers annual Pap tests to women across the province. For more information on the program, you can visit CancerCare Manitoba’s website at http://www.cancercare.mb.ca/.

For more information on HPV, you can also visit:

For general questions, contact:

Public Health Division, Manitoba Health
4th Floor - 300 Carlton St.
Winnipeg MB
R3B 3M9
CANADA
Phone: (204) 788-6737
Fax: (204) 948-2040

Health Links-Info Santé
788-8200 or toll-free at 1- 888- 315-9257