Nearly 200 women in India lose their lives to cervical cancer every day(1)
(HPV Information Centre 10 March 2023)
99% of Cervical Cancer cases are caused by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). HPV, a sexually transmitted virus, spreads through intimate skin-to-skin contact.(2)
Certain HPV-linked cancers are preventable with vaccination, screening and safe sex practices.
For most people HPV clears on its own; for others it can cause cervical, vaginal, anal and vulvar cancers and genital warts.(3)
Speak to your doctor for more information!
Madhuri Dixit, Supporting Cervical Cancer prevention
A disease awareness initiative supported by MSD
AM I AT RISK?
HPV is more common than you think!
- ~8 out of 10 sexually active adults will contract HPV at some point.(4)
- HPV is mainly transmitted via skin-to-skin contact during vaginal, oral, or anal sexual activity.(5)
- HPV may show no symptoms. One may have it, not know it, and spread it to another person without realizing it.(6)
Persistent HPV infection can lead to cervical cancer and certain other diseases.(7)
But helping protecting yourself from certain HPV related cancers and diseases is within reach.
For most people, HPV clears on its own. But for those who don’t clear the virus, it can cause certain cancers and diseases.(3)
Find a doctor to discuss HPV-related cancer and disease prevention including vaccination.
HPV-RELATED CANCER PREVENTION
Life doesn’t wait, neither should you.
Protecting yourself starts with educating yourself about risks and prevention.
You can make an empowering decision to help protect yourself from certain HPV-related cancers and diseases.
To start, have an open conversation with your gynecologist or pediatrician about options that are appropriate for you and your loved ones including HPV vaccination.(1)
SAFETY & EFFECTIVENESS
Major global and Indian medical bodies recommend HPV vaccination
HPV Vaccination + regular screening can help reduce the risk of cervical cancer.
HPV Vaccination is generally well tolerated without risk of major adverse/side effects. Minor side effects may include mild to moderate redness, pain, and swelling at the injection site, as well as headaches and fever.(8)
Major global medical bodies recommend HPV vaccination for prevention of certain HPV related cancers and diseases(9)
- World Health Organization (WHO)
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)
FAQS
Frequently Asked Questions
HPV primarily spreads through sexual contact.
HPV may not always present with symptoms. If HPV symptoms do appear, they may take the form of genital HPV warts or abnormal cervical smears.
Genital warts are a disease caused as a result of the HPV infection. They appear as single or multiple growths or bumps around the genital area. Some HPV warts can cluster together, and can be identified by their cauliflower-like shape. Genital warts can be treated under the guidance of a healthcare practitioner.
HPV can spread from the mother to the child during pregnancy. Potential transmission can be through the amniotic fluid, through the placenta or due to contact with maternal genital mucosa during natural birth. This transmission is relatively rare.
As per clinical studies, the vaccine is generally well tolerated without risk of major adverse/side effects. Talk to your gynaecologist for further information on the right course for you.
Studies suggest that HPV vaccination does not cause infertility.
The HPV vaccine is generally well tolerated without risk of major adverse/side effects. Some of the side effects one may face are redness, pain and swelling around the injection site, or a headache and fever. However, these adverse events are mostly mild to moderate in intensity.
HPV vaccine is a first line of defence against HPV infection and certain related diseases & cancers. It can help reduce the risk of HPV-related genital warts and certain cancers by 90%.
HPV vaccines can help protect you from HPV types present in the vaccine that you haven’t been exposed to yet. Consult your doctor for information on HPV vaccination.
According to major national and international medical associations, HPV vaccination for girls and boys can begin at the age of 9 years. Consult your doctor for more information on HPV vaccination.
As per clinical studies, offering early vaccination before completing 15 years of age can help provide 2 times better immune response against HPV infection compared to HPV vaccination after 15 years. Hence, HPV vaccination is recommended for the girls 9 years and above. Consult your doctor for more information on HPV vaccination.
Even if you did not get vaccinated in your early teens, it is not too late to get vaccinated. Your gynaecologist can help you with more information on the right age to get vaccinated against HPV.
Please consult your doctor for more information.
Indian and global medical associations support HPV vaccination during the period and during breastfeeding. Consult your doctor for more information.
HPV vaccination for girls and boys can begin at the age of 9 years. Vaccination can be beneficial when it begins early, before exposure to HPV. Please consult your doctor for guidance on the recommended age for vaccination.
HPV vaccination may help offer long-lasting protection. As per studies conducted, there is no evidence of the vaccine’s protection decreasing over time for over 12 years.
HPV can be prevented by regular screenings and tests, timely HPV vaccination, and by taking care of your sexual health. HPV vaccination can help reduce the risk of HPV-related genital warts and cancer by 80%–90%.
HPV testing can be tricky since there are 200+ types of HPV. HPV tests only detect certain high-risk HPV types, such as HPV 16 and 18. Hence, it is important to stay vigilant and take the right measures to prevent infection.
According to the CDC, there are currently no approved HPV tests for men. It is recommended to contact your healthcare provider in case of any concerns.
Sexual monogamy and safe sex methods do not guarantee protection against HPV. Women, even those with a single partner, are at risk of contracting HPV.
Multiple research studies suggest that persistent HPV infection may lead to cervical cancer in women. Predominantly, HPV strains 16 and 18 are the serotypes to look out for. They are responsible for more than 95% of cervical cancer cases, as well as other anogenital cancers, globally
Persistent HPV infection with high-risk HPV types can cause certain cancers, including cervical, vaginal, vulvar, and anal cancers. Some HPV types can also cause genital warts.
Currently, there is no documented link between HPV and infertility in women.
HPV – Human Papillomavirus
This information is for awareness only and does not substitute for a doctor’s advice, please consult your doctor for more information.
IN-GSL-01842 – 29/9/2026 – 8/6/2028
Persons portrayed are not actual patients.
For demonstration purposes only.
- India_ Human Papillomavirus and Related Diseases, Summary Report 2023 (v1.0) -REF-192680- Accessed on 17th July, 2026- https://hpvcentre.net/statistics/reports/IND.pdf
- Cervical cancer info by WHO (v1.0) -REF-87813 – Accessed on 17th July, 2026 – https://www.who.int/health-topics/cervical-cancer
- NCI_HPV and Cancer_2024 (v1.0)- REF-240627 – Accessed on 17th July, 2026 – https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/infectious-agents/hpv-and-cancer
- WHO-EURO-2024-5631-49185-73415-eng (v1.0) – REF-271892- Accessed on 17th July, 2026 – https://www.who.int/europe/publications/i/item/WHO-EURO-2024-5631-49185-73415
- Pink book-Human Papillomavirus (v1.0) – REF-114092, How to Protect Against HPV – American Cancer Society – www.cancer.org (v1.0) – REF-285904 – Accessed on 17th July, 2026- https://www.cancer.org/cancer/risk-prevention/hpv/hpv-prevention.html
- About Genital HPV Infection _ STI _ CDC (v1.0) – REF-287611, WHO HPV Q&A, 2024 (v5.0) – REF-168631- Accessed on 17th July, 2026- https://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/356841/Q-and-A_HPV_Parents_EN.pdf
- WHO – Questions and Answers about HPV Vaccination- Accessed June 2021 (v1.0) – REF-127562- Accessed on 17th July, 2026- https://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/356841/Q-and-A_HPV_Parents_EN.pdf
- Vaccines for Your Children Vaccine (Shot) for Human Papillomavirus – REF-90129 – Accessed on 17th July, 2026 – https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/parents/diseases/hpv.html
- Rao M IS_2024 (v1.0)- REF-288711 – Accessed on 17th July, 2026 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38243749/ , IAP_QandA for parents – REF-252993 – Accessed on 17th July , 2026 – https://iapindia.org/pdf/vaccine-information/HPV-VACCINE.pdf , WHO_HPV and cancer – REF-220828 –Accessed on 17th July, 2026 https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/human-papilloma-virus-and-cancer , Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Cancers caused by HPV – REF-277766 – Accessed on 17th July, 2026 https://www.cdc.gov/hpv/about/cancers-caused-by-hpv.html
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