Yes, HPV can cause cancer, but most infections clear on their own

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a virus that infects skin and mucous membranes. Most people who get HPV never develop cancer from it—their immune system clears the virus within one to two years. But certain types of HPV, called high-risk types, can persist in your body and cause changes to cells that eventually become cancerous. The most common cancers linked to HPV are cervical cancer, anal cancer, and cancers of the throat and mouth.

Not everyone infected with high-risk HPV will develop cancer. The risk depends on which type of HPV you have, how long the infection lasts, your age when infected, and whether your immune system can fight it off. Smoking, a weakened immune system, and having many sexual partners all increase the chance that an HPV infection will persist and lead to cancer.

Key Takeaways

  • HPV is a common virus spread through sexual contact, and most infections clear without causing harm.
  • High-risk HPV types (mainly HPV-16 and HPV-18) can cause cervical, anal, throat, and mouth cancers if the infection persists for years.
  • Cervical cancer screening (Pap tests or HPV tests) can find precancerous changes before they become cancer.
  • HPV vaccines prevent infection with the high-risk types most likely to cause cancer and work best when given before sexual activity begins.

Which HPV types cause cancer

There are more than 200 types of HPV, but only about a dozen are considered high-risk for cancer. HPV-16 and HPV-18 cause the majority of HPV-related cancers. HPV-16 is linked to most throat and anal cancers; HPV-18 is linked to most cervical cancers. Other high-risk types include HPV-31, HPV-33, HPV-35, HPV-39, HPV-45, HPV-51, HPV-52, HPV-56, HPV-58, HPV-59, and HPV-66.

Low-risk HPV types cause genital warts but rarely lead to cancer. If you have genital warts, they are almost certainly caused by a low-risk type. Having warts does not mean you will develop cancer.

How HPV infection becomes cancer

When high-risk HPV infects cells in the cervix, anus, throat, or mouth, it can cause the cells to change. Most of the time, your immune system destroys the infected cells and clears the virus. But if the infection persists—usually for five to ten years or longer—the virus can cause cells to become abnormal in ways that eventually lead to cancer.

This process is slow. Precancerous changes do not happen overnight. Cervical cancer, for example, usually develops through stages: HPV infection, then low-grade changes, then high-grade changes, then cancer. Screening programs catch these changes at the precancerous stage, when they can be removed or treated before cancer forms.

The risk of cancer is higher if you smoke, have a weakened immune system (from HIV or immunosuppressive medications), or were infected with HPV at a young age. People with HIV who have low CD4 counts are at much higher risk for HPV-related cancers.

Cervical cancer and HPV screening

Cervical cancer is the most common cancer caused by HPV. In the United States, screening with Pap tests or HPV tests has made cervical cancer rare. A Pap test looks for precancerous cell changes; an HPV test looks for the virus itself. Many doctors now use HPV testing as the first step, because it is more accurate at finding which people are at risk.

Screening guidelines vary by age and test type. Generally, people with a cervix should begin screening in their mid-20s and continue at regular intervals (every three years for Pap tests, every five years for HPV tests, or every five years for a combination test). Screening can stop at age 65 if previous results have been normal.

If screening finds precancerous changes, your doctor may recommend colposcopy (a closer look at the cervix with magnification) and possibly a biopsy. Most precancerous changes can be removed with a simple procedure, preventing cancer from developing.

Other HPV-related cancers

Anal cancer, throat cancer, and mouth cancer are also linked to HPV, particularly HPV-16. These cancers are less common than cervical cancer, and screening is not routine for people without symptoms. However, people with HIV or a history of anal warts may benefit from anal cancer screening with a test similar to the cervical Pap test.

Throat and mouth cancers caused by HPV are sometimes called oropharyngeal cancers. They develop in the back of the throat, at the base of the tongue, or on the tonsils. Unlike cervical cancer, there is no standard screening test for these cancers. Most are found when a person develops symptoms like a persistent sore throat, difficulty swallowing, or a lump in the neck.

HPV vaccination and cancer prevention

HPV vaccines prevent infection with the high-risk types most likely to cause cancer. The vaccines available in the United States protect against HPV-16 and HPV-18 (and some protect against additional types). They are most effective when given before a person becomes sexually active, because they prevent infection before exposure to the virus.

The vaccines are recommended for people ages 11 to 26, though they can be given to older adults up to age 45 in some cases. If you were not vaccinated as a teenager, talk with your doctor about whether vaccination makes sense for you. Vaccination does not treat an existing HPV infection, but it can prevent infection with other high-risk types.

Vaccination has dramatically reduced the rate of cervical precancers and cancers in countries with high vaccination rates. Studies show that vaccinated people have a much lower risk of developing HPV-related cancers.

What to do if you have been diagnosed with HPV

If you test positive for HPV, it does not mean you have cancer or will develop cancer. Most HPV infections clear on their own. Your next step depends on what type of test found the virus and what your doctor recommends.

If you have cervical HPV detected on screening, your doctor will likely recommend follow-up testing or colposcopy to check for precancerous changes. If you have genital warts, they can be treated with topical medications or removed, though the virus may remain in your body. If you have throat or anal HPV, your doctor will discuss monitoring and any symptoms to watch for.

Smoking increases the risk that HPV will persist and cause problems, so quitting smoking is one of the most important steps you can take. Maintaining a healthy immune system through good nutrition, exercise, and managing stress also helps your body fight the virus.

Frequently Asked Questions

If I have HPV, will I definitely get cancer?

No. Most people who get HPV never develop cancer. Your immune system clears the infection in most cases. Cancer develops only if a high-risk type persists for many years and causes cell changes that are not caught and treated early.

Can men get HPV-related cancer?

Yes. Men can develop anal cancer and throat cancer from HPV, though these are less common than cervical cancer in women. Men do not have a cervix, so they cannot develop cervical cancer. HPV vaccination is recommended for men up to age 26 to prevent these cancers.

Does having HPV mean my partner will get cancer?

No. Your partner may get infected with HPV through sexual contact, but infection does not mean they will develop cancer. Most people clear HPV on their own. If your partner is vaccinated or has been vaccinated, they have protection against the high-risk types.

How long does it take for HPV to cause cancer?

It usually takes five to ten years or longer for a persistent high-risk HPV infection to cause cancer. This slow timeline is why screening is so effective—precancerous changes can be found and treated long before cancer develops.

Can HPV be cured?

There is no cure that removes HPV from your body, but your immune system usually clears the infection on its own within one to two years. Treatments can remove precancerous changes, genital warts, or cancers caused by HPV, but they do not eliminate the virus itself.