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HPV in Relationships
About HPV
HPV-related Diseases
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In a relationship but not vaccinated or screened against HPV? Risky!

Every relationship has its challenges – don’t let HPV-related cancers be among them. Preventive measures can help protect you and your partner.

Learn more about HPV
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HPV in Relationships

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a group of viruses comprising over 100 different strains.1 Among these, 40 HPV strains infect genital areas, with some strains carrying a larger risk than others.1

Low-risk HPVs

Low-risk HPVs may cause no symptoms.2 About 90% of genital warts are caused by non-cancerous HPV types 6 and 11.1,2 Other HPV strains cause warts on the skin of different body areas.2

High-risk HPVs

High-risk HPV strains are associated with cervical, vaginal and vulvar cancer in women, and an increased risk of anal or penile cancer in men.1 Among these, HPV types 16 and 18 are responsible for most HPV-related cancers.1

HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the world. Approximately 80% of men and women will be infected with HPV at some point in their lifetime.3 An HPV infection is not evidence of unfaithfulness, and most sexually active couples will inevitably share HPV strains.4

It’s important to discuss HPV with your partner because it affects them too.

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About HPV

HPV in Malaysia

How is HPV transmitted?

What are the signs of HPV?

How does HPV affect couples?

Is HPV treatable?

HPV in Malaysia

In Malaysia, the prevalence of HPV was found to be highest in women below 25 years, followed by those aged 31–40 and 51–60, and subsequently declined with age.5 In contrast, the risk of HPV infection in men is similar across all age groups.6

The most prevailing high-risk HPV subtypes in men and women were found to be HPV 16, 18, 45, 51 and 52.7 These are high-risk HPV subtypes which can cause several types of cancer in both men and women.8

How is HPV transmitted? next arrow icon

HPV-related diseases

HPV is not cancer, but it can cause health problems like warts and changes in the body that result in certain kinds of cancer.

HPV can cause:

>90% of genital warts in men and women<sup>2</sup>

>90%

of genital warts in men and women2
~100% of cervical cancers in women<sup>11</sup>

~100%

of cervical cancers in women11
78% of vaginal cancers in women<sup>11</sup>

78%

of vaginal cancers in women11
25% of vulvar cancers in women<sup>11</sup>

25%

of vulvar cancers in women11
88% of anal cancers in men and women<sup>11</sup>

88%

of anal cancers in men and women11

Patient Stories

Our advocates share their stories on the importance of HPV protection.

Genevieve’s fight for cervical cancer and HPV awareness
Genevieve’s fight for cervical cancer and HPV awareness
Why Teri champions the battle against cervical cancer and HPV
Why Teri champions the battle against cervical cancer and HPV

HPV prevention

Take steps to lower your risk of getting HPV and diseases caused by HPV.

The HPV vaccine helps protect against certain HPV strains associated with genital warts and HPV-related cancers.<sup>1</sup> It can be given to children as young as 9 years and adults up to age 45, and is most effective when given before being sexually active.<sup>1</sup>

HPV vaccination

The HPV vaccine helps protect against certain HPV strains associated with genital warts and HPV-related cancers.1 It can be given to children as young as 9 years and adults up to age 45, and is most effective when given before being sexually active.1
Regular pap smears and/or HPV tests and follow-ups can detect most cervical cancers at an early, treatable stage.<sup>8</sup> Currently CDC does not recommend routine testing (also called ‘screening’) for HPV in men.<sup>10</sup> CDC also does not recommend routine testing for diseases from HPV before there are signs or symptoms in men.<sup>10</sup> <br><br> Consult your doctor if you have symptoms or concerns about cancer.

Regular check-ups

Regular pap smears and/or HPV tests and follow-ups can detect most cervical cancers at an early, treatable stage.8 Currently CDC does not recommend routine testing (also called ‘screening’) for HPV in men.10 CDC also does not recommend routine testing for diseases from HPV before there are signs or symptoms in men.10

Consult your doctor if you have symptoms or concerns about cancer.

Speak to your doctor today

Help protect yourself and others from the spread of HPV.
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The National Cancer Society of Malaysia
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1 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Sexually Transmitted Infections Treatment Guidelines 2021. https://www.cdc.gov/std/treatment-guidelines/hpv.htm. Accessed 5 December 2022.

2 Cancer.Net. HPV and Cancer. https://www.cancer.net/navigating-cancer-care/prevention-and-healthy-living/hpv-and-cancer. Accessed 5 December 2022.

3 National Foundation for Infectious Diseases. HPV (Human Papillomavirus). https://www.nfid.org/infectious-diseases/hpv/. Accessed 2 December 2022.

4 National Cervical Cancer Coalition. HPV and Relationships. https://www.nccc-online.org/hpvcervical-cancer/hpv-and-relationships/. Accessed 7 December 2022.

5 Khoo SP, Bhoo-Pathy N, Yap SH, et al. Prevalence and sociodemographic correlates of cervicovaginal human papillomavirus (HPV) carriage in a cross-sectional, multiethnic, community-based female Asian population. Sex Transm Infect. 2018;94(4):277-283.

6 Moscicki AB, Palefsky JM. HPV in men: An update. J Low Genit Tract Dis. 2011;15(3):231-234.

7 Khoo SP, Shafii MKA, Bhoo-Pathy N, et al. Prevalence and sociodemographic correlates of anogenital Human Papillomavirus (HPV) carriage in a cross-sectional, multi-ethnic, community-based Asian male population. PLoS One. 2021;16(1): e0245731.

8 National Cancer Institute. HPV and Cancer. https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/infectious-agents/hpv-and-cancer. Accessed 5 December 2022.

9 American Cancer Society. HPV and Cancer. https://www.cancer.org/healthy/cancer-causes/infectious-agents/hpv/hpv-and-cancer-info.html. Accessed 5 December 2022.

10 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. STD Facts - HPV and Men. https://www.cdc.gov/std/hpv/stdfact-hpv-and-men.htm. Accessed December 2, 2022.

11 de Martel C, Plummer M, Vignat J, Franceschi S. Worldwide burden of cancer attributable to HPV by site, country and HPV type. Int J Cancer. 2017;141(4):664.