Make protection against certain HPV-related cancers and diseases part of your story.1,2
Help protect yourself from certain HPV-related cancers and diseases.1,2
Your story is full of choices.
Will you choose to help protect yourself against certain HPV-related cancers and diseases? 1,2
A conversation with your health care provider is an opportunity to learn how to help protect yourself from certain HPV-related cancers and diseases.1,2
Certain HPV-related cancers could affect you.1 But you can help protect yourself.2
Answer two simple questions to get information about certain HPV-related cancers,1 and the power you and your doctor have to help protect you.2
Takes just 30 seconds
The opportunity to help protect yourself may be closer than you think.2
Ask how you can help protect yourself from certain HPV-related cancers and diseases.1,2 Find a clinic near you and ask about HPV vaccination.
It’s called human papillomavirus and it may be more common than you think.2,3
Human papillomavirus, or HPV, is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the world.2 In fact, HPV is so common that most sexually active adults will get the virus at some point in their lives.2 And since HPV usually has no signs or symptoms, you can be infected and not even know it.3
For most people, HPV clears on its own. But for those who don’t clear the virus, it can cause certain HPV-related cancers and diseases.4-6
For most people, HPV clears on its own. But for those who don’t clear the virus, it can lead to certain HPV-related cancers and diseases,4-6 but you can help protect yourself.2
There are many types of HPV, some of which can cause certain cancers such as cervical, vaginal, and vulvar cancers in women, and anal cancer in men and women.1-3
HPV can also lead to genital warts in men and women.1,3
You and your doctor have the power to help protect you from certain HPV-related cancers and diseases.1,2
You should know that both men and women can help protect themselves from certain cancers caused by HPV.1,2 So, don’t wait to take action.
Talk to a health care provider about ways to help protect yourself from certain HPV-related cancers and diseases.1,2
In the Philippines, cervical cancer is the 2nd most common cancer among women in 2020.7
Anyone can be at risk of HPV-related cancers, regardless of age, relationship status, or number of sexual partners.1,2
Make the most of your conversation with your health care provider.
A health care provider can answer your questions about HPV and certain HPV-related cancers and diseases.1 Here are some tips to help you make the most of your visit:
- Learn the basics
Learn the basics about HPV-related cancers and diseases1 from this website, and other reliable sources like your doctor.
For most people, HPV clears on its own. But for those who don’t clear the virus, it can cause certain HPV-related cancers and diseases.4-6 - Ask about HPV vaccination
Ask your health care provider if HPV vaccination may be right for you, and what to expect.2 - Discuss screening options
Ask about available screening for cervical cancer for certain HPV-related cancers.1,2 - Be your own health advocate
Even if your health care provider doesn’t bring up the topic of HPV vaccination,2 you can. There’s a lot to know about your health, so if you have any questions or concerns, be sure to ask.8
As a young woman looking for love, Anna had two serious relationships before finally meeting her Prince Charming. Since she had already been intimate with her ex-boyfriends, she felt that it was too late for her to get the HPV vaccines.
Anna received a devastating cervical cancer diagnosis in 2023 while planning her wedding. She now knows that despite her earlier HPV exposure, the vaccines could have reduced her chances of getting infected by the high-risk HPV types, which she may not have had during her dating phase.2
– Anna, 35
Sherwin met his fiancée after parting ways with his first girlfriend. As both of them hadn’t dated many people in the past and had vowed to stay faithful to each other, they didn’t consider themselves at risk of HPV and, therefore, did not get vaccinated.
His fiancée was later diagnosed with cervical cancer caused by HPV. Since HPV infection usually doesn’t show any symptoms, Sherwin may have unknowingly carried the virus and passed it to his fiancée.2
– Sherwin, 29
Note: These are not real patient stories but are representative of potential scenarios.
Frequently asked questions
HPV, also called human papillomavirus, is a virus that infects the skin or various mucous membranes (like the genitals). There are many different types of HPV, some of which can cause certain types of cancer and genital warts.1,2,9
In the Philippines, the 10 most common HPV types are HPV 16, 18, 31, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58 and 59.7 Of these, HPV 16 and 18 account for almost 60% of cervical cancers.7
HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the world2 and up to 80% of sexually active people will be infected with HPV in their lifetime.2
Both males and females who are sexually active, or will become sexually active at some point in their lives, are at risk of HPV infections.2
Anyone who has HPV can pass on the virus through direct skin-to-skin contact—usually through sexual activity—with mucous membranes or bodily fluids.2
There are ways to help reduce the potentially serious consequences of HPV.1 These include2,10:
- Ask your doctor about HPV vaccination
- Go for regular Pap and HPV tests starting from age 21
- Practice safe sex such as using a condom
- Abstain from sex or limit the number of sexual partners