What does a positive HPV 16 and 18 mean?

Additional follow-up is important because you may be at high risk of developing cervical cancer. HPV strains 16 and 18 are known to cause cervical cancer. There are more than 100 strains of the virus, most of which do not cause cancer. The good news is that HPV-caused oropharyngeal cancer has a much higher five-year survival rate after treatment than non-HPV-associated head and neck cancers, according to Mount Sinai.

Unlike cytology, samples for HPV testing have the potential to be collected by the patient and mailed to health programs for analysis, so self-collection could be a strategy to increase detection rates among populations where detection rates are low. According to recently published research, a single-dose vaccine can be very effective in preventing human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is the most commonly diagnosed sexually transmitted disease (STD) in the United States and abroad. Recently, data suggest that individual genotyping for HPV types 16 and 18 may help determine appropriate follow-up tests and classify women at risk of progression to cervical cancer.

Smoking contributes to the progression of CIN, and active and passive smoking is associated with squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix in women with HPV 16 or 18 infection (1263-126). Once HPV tests are negative, continuing regular Pap and HPV tests means any abnormalities that occur later can be found and treated before they develop into cancer. HPV has been implicated in more than 99% of cervical cancers worldwide, including squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix and adenocarcinoma of the cervix. If the HPV test came back positive and the Pap smear was abnormal, your doctor will likely follow up with a colposcopy.

However, knowing that you have a high-risk type of HPV will help you and your doctor develop a plan to reduce your risk of cervical cancer. Human papillomavirus (HPV) is an extremely common sexually transmitted infection, and most sexually active men and women get the virus. Cancers of the cervix, vagina, anus, and oral cavity have been linked to human papillomavirus or HPV. Dentists are starting to detect oral cancers, but they can't test for HPV and may not be able to see early-stage cancer.

According to the CDC, about 10 percent of American men have oral HPV, compared to 3.6 percent of women. If your HPV test is positive and your Pap smear is normal, your doctor will most likely recommend repeat Pap and HPV tests in a year. HPV is an extremely common STI that most sexually active people will have at some point in their lives.

Louie Kail
Louie Kail

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