• About the Program
• NHMRC Cervical Guidelines
• The Pap smear
• Pap smear Results
• HPV (human papilloma virus)
• Frequently asked questions
• Facts and Key Statistics
• National Information Statements
• Information for Health Professionals
• Publications and Resources
• Pap test register
• Useful links
• Contact Us
• Glossary

HPV (human papillomavirus)

About HPV

• HPV is a virus (human papillomavirus)
• There are over 100 different types of HPV. Forty of these affect the genital area. Only a few are considered high risk and are linked to cervical cancer.
• Almost all abnormal Pap smear results are caused by HPV.
• Anyone who has ever had sex can have HPV. It is so common that four out of five people will have had HPV at some time in their lives.
• There is no known cure for HPV. In most cases the virus is cleared by the body’s own immune system in one to two years.
• The effects of HPV such as warts or changes to the cells of the cervix can be treated. GPs and other Pap smear providers can advise on treatment options.

HPV and the link to cervical cancer

• In rare cases, if high risk types of the virus persist and are not detected they can lead to cervical cancer. This usually takes 10 years or more.
• Seventy percent of the cases of cervical cancer are linked to two strains of the HPV virus: 16 & 18.
• Having a Pap smear every two years is the best way to detect changes to the cells of the cervix that may later lead to cancer.

The HPV vaccine

• Gardasil® is a vaccine that has been developed to prevent HPV infection and cervical cancer. It has been shown to prevent infection from two identified cancer causing strains of HPV: strains 16 and 18. Gardasil® also offers protection for two other HPV strains: 6 and 11. These strains are responsible for 9 out of 10 cases of genital warts.
• Gardasil® is the only vaccine licensed for use in Australia at this time for females aged 9-26 years and males aged 9-15 years.
• The National HPV Vaccination Program commenced in April 2007. All girls aged 12-18 years will receive the vaccine free in school based vaccination programs during 2007 and 2008. The vaccine will be available at no cost to women aged 18 to 26 from their GP (there may be a consultation fee charged) or community immunisation provider.
• Gardasil® is given as a series of three injections into the upper arm muscle over six months according to this schedule:
  • first dose – at a chosen date;
  • second dose – 2 months after the first dose; and
  • third dose – 6 months after the first dose.
• Reported side effects include mild to moderate pain, redness and swelling at the injection site.
• Vaccination with the HPV vaccine is most effective when it is given to girls before they are exposed to HPV. As HPV is a sexually transmitted virus, it is recommended girls be vaccinated before becoming sexually active.
• HPV vaccine is not free for boys at this time. This is because further research into the benefits for boys is underway.
• The vaccine should be considered for all girls and women in the target age group even if sexual activity has commenced. Girls and women aged between 12 and 26 years who have had sexual contact with only one or two partners, who have likewise had few partners, have a lower risk of exposure to HPV types 6, 11, 16 and 18. These are the types covered by the Gardasil® vaccine.
• Being vaccinated lowers the chances of becoming infected with the high risk HPV types contained in the vaccine.
• It is essential for women to continue to have regular Pap smears from age 18 or two years after first having sex, whichever is later, as the vaccine does not protect against all cancer-causing strains of HPV.
• For more information, go to the National HPV Vaccination Program website.

Prevention of cervical cancer

• The best protection against cervical cancer is to have regular Pap smears. This regular monitoring ensures that any changes caused by HPV can be found and treated before cancer develops.
• Since the National Cervical Screening Program commenced in 1991, deaths from cervical cancer have dropped by 56%.
• Women, whether vaccinated against HPV or not, should be screened for cervical cancer by having Pap smears every two years from 18 years of age or two years after the first time they have sexual intercourse, whichever is later.
• The HPV vaccine offers protection against two strains of HPV: 16 and 18, which have been linked to 70% of the cases of cervical cancer.
• The HPV vaccine does not protect against all of the cancer causing strains of HPV.
• As HPV vaccination is not expected to prevent all cervical cancer, the National Cervical Screening Program will continue.
• HPV is transmitted from the skin of one person to the skin of another. Therefore, condoms may only offer limited protection against the virus. However, it is important to continue to promote the use of condoms as they significantly reduce the risk of other sexually transmitted infections.