The HPV virus is spread through sexual contact – but it doesn’t need to be full sexual intercourse. Even intimate skin-to-skin contact in the genital area can be enough to transmit HPV.

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You can catch HPV from just one partner. It is impossible to tell just by looking at someone whether they are infected, so you won’t know. And it can be passed on without actual sexual intercourse - just intimate skin to skin contact in the genital area could be enough.The progression from having an HPV infection to cervical cancer usually takes 10-20 years.

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99.7% of cervical cancer cases are caused by HPV infection [7]. Over half of all HPV infections involve a cancer causing type of virus.

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In England and Northern Ireland women begin cervical screening at age 25. And in Scotland and Wales women begin cervical screening at age 20.

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It’s important that you are tested regularly to assess your health over time. In the UK, women are usually called up for a smear test every 3 to 5 years, although this will depend on your age, where you live and any previous test results. 

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Yes, most definitely. Regular screening – in combination with a healthy lifestyle and vaccination - is likely to be the most effective way to help prevent cervical cancer

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There are a number of reasons for an abnormal smear test result - which may or may not be as a result of an HPV infection. Even if you have had an abnormal smear in the past caused by an HPV infection, this does not mean that you won't benefit from the protection a vaccine may offer.

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Yes. Thousands of the women in the clinical trials for vaccination were already sexually active and the vaccine prevented all the precancerous lesions caused by new infections with HPV 16/18. However, vaccination does not protect against any HPV infection you may already have.

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Speak to your doctor or nurse about whether the vaccine is suitable for you.

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Vaccination can prevent seven out of ten cervical cancers from developing, so you will be much less likely to get cervical cancer if you have the vaccination. However, vaccination does not protect against all types of HPV infection or against any HPV infection you may already have. Therefore, it is important to attend your regular smear test , even if you are vaccinated [13] [14]

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Currently, after five years of evaluation, vaccination is proven to be working well and so continuing to offer protection. The need for a booster has not yet been established but your doctor will inform you over time if this changes and a booster becomes required.

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All vaccines have to undergo thorough clinical trials and monitoring before being approved for prescription. Several thousand women across a wide range of ages have received cervical cancer vaccination during a programme of carefully monitored trials. And this showed that cervical cancer vaccination is generally well tolerated.

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It is very common for vaccination courses to require more than one dose in order to achieve their full effect. The first dose ‘primes’ the immune system and the second dose further prepares it. When the third dose is given (six months after the first dose), it gives the best chance of protection against the real virus if it is encountered in the future.

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Cervical cancer vaccination is given by three injections in the arm. The three injections are spread over a period of six months.

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Your doctor or nurse is the best person to check whether you should consider becoming vaccinated

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We recommend you talk to your doctor or other healthcare professional for advice.

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