HPV, or human papillomavirus, is a group of over 100 viruses that can infect the skin or mucosa. Certain HPV strains can cause warts, while others are associated with cancer. Low-risk HPV types can cause common warts or genital warts, while high-risk HPV types can lead to cancerous and precancerous lesions in the anogenital area and other sites like the oral cavity. HPV is very common and often clears without symptoms, but persistent high-risk infections can progress to cancer over many years if left untreated.

1. HPV: What is it? What does it do? Natasha Press Division of Infectious Diseases St. Paul’s Hospital

12. HPV causes cancer INFECTION CLEARANCE PERSISTENCE REGRESSION INVASION AIN 3 Severe High-grade Cancer AIN 2 AIN 1 Mild Low-grade Normal anal canal

15. Increasing rate of anal cancer 1997-2005 in BC for men aged 30-60 years Cases per 100 000 Increase in ASCC p <0.02 log linear model