Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer affecting women around the world. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 660,000 women were diagnosed with cervical cancer in a recent year, and around 350,000 died from the disease.
Most cases of cervical cancer are caused by a virus called Human Papillomavirus, or HPV. But can someone still get cervical cancer even if they don’t have HPV? To find out, the team at OnlyMyHealth spoke to Dr. Shailly Sharma, a senior gynecology expert at Cloudnine Hospital in Faridabad.
HPV Causes Nearly All Cervical Cancers
The WHO says that 99% of cervical cancer cases are linked to an HPV infection. HPV is not just one virus—it is a group of more than 200 related viruses. Some of these viruses can cause serious health problems, including several types of cancer. Others may lead to genital warts or other infections.
In most people, the body can fight off HPV naturally. In fact, 90% of HPV infections go away on their own. But in some cases, the virus stays in the body for a long time. These long-term, or “persistent,” infections—especially with high-risk HPV types—can lead to cancer in areas such as the cervix, vagina, vulva, penis, anus, and throat.
In 2019, HPV was linked to about 620,000 cancer cases in women and 70,000 cases in men globally, according to WHO data.
Can Cervical Cancer Happen Without HPV?
While HPV is the main cause, some rare cervical cancer cases are found in women who do not have an HPV infection. These cases are very unusual and still not well understood. In such rare situations, other factors like genetics, a weak immune system, long-term inflammation, or exposure to harmful substances might play a role. But experts agree that HPV remains the leading cause by far.
Dr. Sharma emphasized the importance of regular screening and HPV vaccination. “Prevention through early detection and vaccination is the most effective way to reduce the risk of cervical cancer,” she said.
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