What is HPV?

A: HPV stands for Human Papilloma Virus.  It is a virus that is passed by sexual contact.  There are many different types of HPV.  100% of cervical cancers are caused by high risk types of HPV.  HPV types 16 and 18 cause approximately 70% of cervical cancer cases throughout the world.  HPV types 6 and 11 cause 90% of genital warts.

There are vaccines that have been approved for use in the U.S. to prevent you from becoming infected with HPV.  One vaccine, Gardasil, prevents infectection from types 6, 11, 16, and 18.

HPV can be detected with the HPV test which is usually run at the same time as the Pap test (Pap smear).

If you suspect that your cervical cancer was not timely and properly diagnosed or treated, please call us at 412-471-4300 or toll free at 800-350-6161, or email us.  Berger & Lagnese specializes in medical malpractice and works on cases in Pittsburgh, Greensburg, Uniontown, Beaver, Erie, Washington, and all of Western Pennsylvania.