HPV and cervical cancer related knowledge Q&A Why should women of childbearing age have regular gynecological cancer screening? At present, the standardized screening for two cancers in China is breast cancer and cervical cancer. Gynecological cancer screening for women of childbearing age usually refers to cervical cancer screening. Because cervical cancer is still one of the most common gynecological malignancies in China, accounting for the second most common malignant tumor among women. The incidence of cervical cancer and precancerous lesions in young women has a significant increasing trend. The purpose of cervical cancer screening is to screen out high-grade cervical precancer and early cervical cancer, which are completely curable. What is HPV and how is it related to cervical cancer? Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a papillomavirus that infects human epidermis and mucosal tissues, and it only affects humans, but is not pathogenic to other animals. High-risk HPV is the only fully identifiable oncogenic virus in human carcinogenesis. Today’s research even confirms that prevention of HPV infection can prevent cervical cancer, and the absence of HPV infection can prevent cervical cancer. What is the combined screening model for cervical cancer and what are its advantages? Combined screening for cervical cancer refers to the simultaneous use of HPV testing and cervical liquid-based cytology. In particular, the combination of HPV typing test, which detects high-risk HPV infection with emphasis on types 16 and 18, with liquid-based cytology and cervical biopsy can successfully screen out high-grade cervical precancerous lesions. the combined application of HPV test and cytology is the most sensitive, specific and accurate method for cervical cancer screening. Is there a high rate of HPV infection? What conditions can cause persistent infection? HPV infection is not uncommon, with a 4%-15% chance of infection in sexually active young women under the age of 30 (18-28 years) and a lifetime accumulation rate of over 60%. Most infections are “transient”, a “transient HPV carrier state”, meaning that most can clear on their own in an average of 8 months. Whether HPV infection becomes persistent depends on whether the infection is of a high-risk HPV type, especially type 16 or 18, the level of HPV DNA, the duration of first infection, the immune function of the infected person including the number of births, hormonal effects, nutrition, and the presence of repeat HPV infections and other co-infections with sexually transmitted diseases. What is persistent HPV infection and does it all lead to cervical cancer? Persistent HPV infection refers to two or more positive tests for HPV of the same genotype for more than 6 months. The incidence of persistent HPV infection in countries with high incidence of cervical cancer is about 10-20%. In countries with low incidence of cervical cancer the incidence of persistent HPV infection is only 5-10%. Only persistent HPV infection leads to cervical precancerous lesions, now commonly referred to as cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and cervical cancer, which generally occurs in an average of 8-24 months for CINI, CIN II and, CIN III, and then in an average of 8-12 years for invasive cancer. Is there any drug treatment for HPV infection? For HPV infection, none of the current medications work directly or can directly eliminate HPV. medications can change the vaginal environment, improve the repair of epithelial cells, or inactivate the virus. Medications are limited in their effect on HPV clearance. How is HPV infection viewed? Patient counseling, education and advice are very important for the HPV testing process, which involves patient awareness and psychological adjustment. Tell the patient that HPV positivity indicates HPV carriage, not a disease; that HPV positivity without cervical precancerous lesions, i.e. CIN, can be left untreated; and that HPV positivity does not mean that she is “unfaithful” to her sexual partner. Taking it seriously is not the same as panicking.