Cervical cancer kills about 5000 women per year. In fact epidemiologic studies have proven that a major risk factor for the development of preinvasive or invasive cervical cancer is HPV infection. Early detection through yearly PAP tests is critical for successful treatment of cervical cancer. HPV is spread through sexual contact. Genital warts resulting from HPV infection can be found around the anus, vulva, or cervix of women and around the anus and the shaft of the penis in men.
Visible warts are usually harder to see in women than in men.
However, not everyone infected with HPV will develop warts. It should be kept in mind that while the risk of transmitting the virus is highest when there are visible warts, transmission can be spread when no outward signs of HPV are present. Another thing to keep in mind is that HPV can lay dormant for years. Even in long-term monogamous relationships, genital warts or cervical changes can occur without an obvious infectious event. Because of this, in the presence of warts or cervical changes men and women should be screened for HPV even when no recent transmission risk can be identified.