Practically every one of us who leads an active sex life may encounter the human papillomavirus (HPV). Often, infection occurs at an early age, and even if the body overcomes the virus, re-infection is still possible.
There are more than 100 types of HPV, of which at least 14 are very high risk as they can cause the development of oncological diseases. For example, types 16 and 18 are known to account for 70% of all cases of cervical cancer. Additionally, there is confirmed evidence linking HPV to throat and genital cancers in both women and men.
How to protect yourself and your children?
First of all - get vaccinated. Starting from January 1, 2026, a free HPV vaccination program will commence in Ukraine for girls aged 12-13 years. It also makes sense to undergo regular screenings for cervical cancer. Women aged 21 to 65 are advised to have regular check-ups with a gynecologist, a Pap test, and HPV testing.
Together with the team of fact-checkers from VoxCheck and doctors, we analyzed the most common myths that have appeared on social media regarding vaccination.
Look for reliable information about transmission methods, symptoms, and protection methods in our carousel.
News about HPV reminds us of the importance of vaccination and regular medical check-ups to prevent oncological diseases.