HPV causes nearly all cervical cancers, but vaccination and screening can stop it before it starts. Learn how modern testing, self-sampling, and vaccines are making cervical cancer a preventable disease.
When we talk about HPV 16 and 18, two high-risk strains of the human papillomavirus that cause the majority of cervical cancers and other serious health issues. Also known as high-risk HPV types, they’re responsible for about 70% of all cervical cancer cases worldwide. Unlike the strains that cause common genital warts, HPV 16 and 18 don’t always show symptoms—but they can silently damage cells for years before anything shows up on a Pap test.
These strains are spread through skin-to-skin contact during sex, and most people get exposed at some point in their lives. But not everyone develops cancer. Your body clears the virus on its own in most cases—within one to two years. The problem comes when the infection sticks around. That’s when HPV 16 and 18 start changing cells in the cervix, throat, or anus, turning them into precancerous growths. Regular screening with Pap smears and HPV tests catches these changes early, when treatment is simple and effective. The HPV vaccine, a safe, proven way to prevent infection from HPV 16 and 18 before exposure works best when given before sexual activity starts, but it still helps adults up to age 45. It doesn’t treat existing infections, but it blocks future ones from the most dangerous types.
Many people don’t realize that HPV 16 and 18 are also linked to cancers of the mouth and throat—especially in men. That’s why vaccination isn’t just for girls. Boys benefit too. And even if you’ve had HPV before, the vaccine can still protect you from other strains you haven’t encountered. The cervical cancer screening, a simple test that checks for abnormal cell changes caused by HPV is your second line of defense. It doesn’t prevent infection, but it finds trouble before it turns deadly.
There’s no cure for HPV itself, but the damage it causes is treatable if caught early. That’s why knowing your status matters. If you’ve had an abnormal Pap result, your doctor might test specifically for HPV 16 and 18 to assess your risk level. Some women with persistent infection need more frequent checks or minor procedures to remove precancerous tissue. These aren’t big surgeries—they’re quick, outpatient, and highly effective.
What you’ll find in the articles below isn’t just theory. It’s real-world advice on how to protect yourself, what tests to ask for, how the vaccine works in practice, and what to do if you’ve been diagnosed with a high-risk HPV strain. You’ll see how medication safety, lab monitoring, and prevention strategies all connect to this one virus. No fluff. No scare tactics. Just what you need to make smart choices about your health.
HPV causes nearly all cervical cancers, but vaccination and screening can stop it before it starts. Learn how modern testing, self-sampling, and vaccines are making cervical cancer a preventable disease.