Wouldn’t you want information to help reduce her risk of cervical cancer in the future?

As the family gatekeeper, you make your daughter’s health a top priority. You do everything you possibly can to take care of her.. to protect her health and make sure she’s safe. So you may have been surprised to learn about the link between cervical cancer and certain types of a virus. And while your daughter may be too young to be affected today, what you learn about cervical cancer and human papillomavirus (HPV) now could make all the difference for her health in the future.

CERVICAL CANCER IS CAUSED BY CERTAIN TYPES OF A VIRUS CALLED HPV.

Cervical cancer is not considered to be hereditary. For the majority of women who have HPV the body’s defenses are enough to clear the virus. But for women who don’t clear certain types of the virus, cervical cancer can develop later in life.

THERE ARE MORE THAN 100 TYPES OF HPV.

Most types of HPV are relatively harmless. About 30 types can affect the genital area. Some types can cause cervical cancer (for example, HPV Types 16 and 18 cause 10% of cervical cancer cases). Other types can cause genital warts. All types of genital HPV can cause abnormal Pap tests.

HPV IS EASILY TRANSMITTED.

Genital HPV affects both women and men. Anyone who has ny kind of sexual activity involving, genital contact can get HPV — intercourse isn’t necessary. Many people who have HPV may not show signs or symptoms, so they pass on the virus without even knowing it.

MILLIONS Of PEOPLE CURRENTLY HAVE HPV.

In 2000. approximately 9.2 million young adults, 15 to 24 years of age, had genital HPV By age 50,80% of women will have had genital HPV.

TALK TO YOUR DAUGHTER’S DOCTOR OR HEALTH CARE
PROFESSIONAL.

You can help your daughter develop good health care habits now by taking her for regular wellness visits. Understanding the importance of wellness visits now may help her maintain regular checkups as she gets older. When you are there, ask her doctor about ways to help prevent cervical cancer and other diseases caused by HPV.