Human papillomavirus (HPV) has the potential to cause cervical, oropharyngeal, vaginal, vulvar, and anal cancers. Even though the HPV vaccine is safe and effective in preventing cervical cancer, genital warts, and other cancers that affect both women and men, vaccination rates in the U.S. remain surprisingly low among adolescents and young adults. Regular screenings also help decrease the rate of cervical cancer, especially for older women who didn’t have the opportunity to get the vaccine. Currently, there is no treatment for the virus itself, but research is ongoing.
SWHR convened a diverse group of interdisciplinary researchers, clinicians, and patients for a closed-door virtual roundtable meeting on HPV-related disease in women. The experts discussed HPV-related disease in women and the gaps in research, clinical practice, and patient education that need to be filled to improve health outcomes in women with HPV pre-cancer.
