THE IMPORTANCE OF HPV AWARENESS

A 2021 report released by the HPV Information Centre indicates that each year, 309 women in Singapore are diagnosed with cervical cancer, and 172 die from the disease.

Nearly all cervical cancers are caused by a human papillomavirus (HPV) infection of highrisk types, such as HPV 16 and 18. And if HPV is one of the most common STIs out there, why is it not always part of an STI panel? Dr Tan agrees that this is an interesting observation, and has his theories as to why this might be the case.

Firstly, unlike many other STIs, HPV doesn’t usually cause any symptoms. This makes it hard for patients to even request a screening, especially if they aren’t aware about what HPV is in the first place.

Dr Tan also feels that it has a lot to do with how the virus functions. “For a high percentage of women with HPV, the condition can clear on its own within a few years. But women need to understand that there are a few strains like type 16 and type 18 that present high risks of cervical cancer.”

He urges women who are sexually active to go for a HPV screening, and encourages all to talk to their healthcare providers about getting vaccinated, and how the different HPV types relate to the vaccination options.