HPV

HPV and cancer

HPV, or human papillomavirus, is a common infection that can cause cancer. It is very contagious. HPV is a virus spread through sexual contact.  

It is  important for our mob to protect ourselves against HPV, because it can cause cancer in both women and men. In women it can cause cancer of the cervix, as well as the vagina, vulva and anus. In men it can cause cancer in the penis as well as the anus. HPV can also cause some head and neck cancers, including throat and mouth cancers.

Most people don’t know they have HPV, because usually they don’t have any symptoms. But the good news is, we can prevent cancer in our mob caused by HPV by being immunised (or vaccinated) against HPV..

Who is at risk and how to protect against HPV?

Everyone who is sexually active, or who will ever become sexually active, and not vaccinated against HPV is at risk of getting HPV. 

Free immunisation is available to protect you and your family against HPV. The immunisation against HPV is safe. 

To help keep everyone safe, the recommendations are that all young people, female and male, aged 9 to 25 get the HPV vaccine. People in this age group only need one vaccine. 

Many of our teenage children receive the immunisation through school immunisation programs in Year 7 or local health centres. Young people who missed the HPV vaccination at 12 to 13 years can catch up for free before they turn 26 years of age. 

The HPV vaccine, like many others, is free for those who are eligible under the National Immunisation Program Schedule. 

To learn about HPV and the benefits of HPV immunisation, watch this HPV prevention video. 

Yarn with your doctor, nurse, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander health worker, or local pharmacist, about how to get the HPV immunisation or visit the National Immunisation Program.