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HPV Vaccinations & Cancer Prevention - What your parents may have missed when they gave you "the talk"

HPV Vaccinations & Cancer Prevention

If you  would like a referral to an LGBTQ-affirming clinician to get an HPV Vaccination and cervical cancer screenings contact our health team at Re*******@********************er.org

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a common virus that is spread through skin-to-skin contact, sharing of sex toys, or via anal, vaginal, and oral sex [1]. Someone with HPV may not know they are infected for years. Some strains of HPV may result in symptoms such as warts, usually in the genital area [2]. HPV can also cause multiple types of cancer and is the most common cause of cervical and anal cancers [3].Unfortunately, there is no cure for HPV once infected, so prevention is important [4].

You can protect yourself by using these proactive measures in order to prevent contracting HPV:

  • Healthcare screenings: Starting at the age of 21, anyone with a cervix should get a pap smear every three years. A pap smear is a test that collects cells from your cervix to test for cervical cancer [5]. If your pap smear test results are abnormal, your doctor may order additional tests [6]. For those engaging in anal sex regularly, you may want to talk to your doctor about an anal pap test [7].
  • Protection: Wear condoms correctly and use dental dams while engaging in sexual activities [8]. While condom use is effective at lowering the risk, genital areas not covered by the condoms can also be infected [9].
  • Vaccination: Individuals of all genders should get the HPV vaccine. Children 9-14 years old can get the HPV vaccine in two doses, 6-12 months apart. People ages 15-26 can get the HPV vaccine in a series of three shots that they will need to receive within a span of six months. Adults 27-45 years old should talk to their healthcare provider about their risk of getting HPV, as the vaccine is less effective after age 26 [10].

Anyone with a cervix can get cervical cancer.
Long-term infection with certain types of HPV is the main cause of cervical cancer [11].  Other risk factors for cervical cancer include HIV infection, weakened immune system, tobacco smoking, family history of cervical cancer, and sexual history [12] Make sure you receive a regular pap smear test, which can be a self-test ordered by your doctor, or the test can be done by a provider at your OB/GYN’s office or clinic. Early detection often allows for more treatment options and a better outcome [13].

How does this affect the LGBTQ+ Community?
According to the 2024 LGBTQ Health Needs Assessment, 36.1% of respondents reported not having received the HPV vaccination. LGBTQ+ people may not be vaccinated from HPV for a multitude of reasons, including negative reactions from healthcare providers about their LGBTQ+ identity or physicians not understanding  LGBTQ+ specific health-related issues.

17.3% of all respondents have never had a cervical pap test, which has increased from 13% in 2022. 11.6% of cisgender respondents and 24.7% of transgender and nonbinary respondents have never had a cervical pap test.

Developed resources reported in this project are supported by the National Network of Libraries of Medicine (NNLM), National Institutes of Health (NIH) under cooperative agreement number UG4LM012342 with the University of Pittsburgh, Health Sciences Library System. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.

 

Sources: 

  1. CDC. About Genital HPV Infection. [Accessed May 28, 2026] https://www.cdc.gov/sti/about/about-genital-hpv-infection.html?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/std/hpv/stdfact-hpv.htm
  2. Cleveland Clinic. HPV. [accessed May 28, 2026]. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/11901-hpv-human-papilloma-virus
  3. CDC. Basic Information about HPV and Cancer. [accessed May 28, 2026] https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/hpv/basic-information.html?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/hpv/basic_info/index.htm
  4. Planned Parenthood. Human Papillomavirus (HPV). [accessed May 28, 2026] https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/stds-hiv-safer-sex
  5. Mayo Clinic. Pap Smear. [accessed June 4, 2026]. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/pap-smear/about/pac-20394841
  6. Planned Parenthood. What’s a Pap test? [accessed June 4, 2026] https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/cancer/cervical-cancer/whats-pap-test
  7. Planned Parenthood. How can I prevent HPV-related cancers? [Accessed June 4, 2026]. https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/cancer/hpv-related-cancers/how-can-i-prevent-hpv-relatedcancers
  8. CDC. HPV and Oropharyngeal Cancer. [accessed May 28, 2026] https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/hpv/oropharyngeal-cancer.html?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/hpv/basic_info/hpv_oropharyngeal.htm
  9. CDC. Reducing Risk for Cervical Cancer. [accessed May 28, 2026] https://www.cdc.gov/cervical-cancer/prevention/?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/cervical/basic_info/prevention.htm
  10. CDC. HPV Vaccination. [accessed June 4, 2026]           https://www.cdc.gov/hpv/vaccines/
  11. CDC. Cervical Cancer Basics. [accessed June 4, 2026] https://www.cdc.gov/cervical-cancer/about/?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/cervical/basic_info/index.htm
  12. American Cancer Society. Risk Factors for Cervical Cancer. [accessed June 4, 2026] https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/cervical-cancer/causes-risks-prevention/risk-factors.html
  13. American Cancer Society. The American Cancer Society Guideline for Cervical Cancer Screening. [accessed June 4, 2026] https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/cervical-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/cervical-cancer-screening-guidelines.html