Can you pick the facts from the fiction about this disease?
HPV is rare: FALSE
HPV — a virus that can cause cervical cancer — is so common that four out of five people will have it at some point during their lives. In many cases, our immune systems will get rid of HPV without us ever knowing we had it.
Smear tests always hurt: FALSE
Smear tests may be slightly uncomfortable, but they shouldn’t hurt. Speak to the nurse if you’re worried.
Only promiscuous people get HPV: FALSE
You can get HPV the first time you have sexual contact, so it doesn’t matter how many sexual partners you’ve had. The virus can lie dormant in your body for years — even decades — so you could still have the virus if you’ve been with the same partner for years.
Smear tests are a test for cervical cancer: FALSE
Smear tests aim to find changes to cells in the cervix at an early stage before they develop into cervical cancer. They prevent 75 per cent of cervical cancers from ever developing.
Only young people get cervical cancer: FALSE
Cervical cancer affects women of all ages, which is why it’s important to attend your screening when you’re invited, to reduce your risk of developing it.
If you’ve had the HPV vaccine, you don’t need a smear test: FALSE
After the vaccine, you’re protected against at least 70 per cent of cervical cancers. However, you’re not fully protected, so going for smear tests is still important. In fact, it might save your life.