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Cervical Cancer and a Future of Hope

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The human papilloma virus (HPV) – a common sexually-transmitted disease – can cause cancer.
  • Answer: True.
    There are more than 40 different types of HPV. Not all types of HPV cause cancer, but "high-risk" HPV can cause cervical cancer if the body does not clear the virus naturally. The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2008, 11,070 women will be diagnosed with cervical cancer in the U.S.
  • False.
4831 responses
Cervical cancer is difficult to detect and treat, with one of the highest fatality rates of all forms of cancer.
  • True.
  • Answer: False.
    Cervical cancer used to be the leading cause of cancer death for women in the U.S., but it is easy to detect and treat now, rarely causing fatalities. In the past 40 years, regular Pap tests have allowed doctors to find cervical precancer before it turns into cancer and are able to treat it.
4828 responses
How many sexually active Americans will develop HPV during their lives?
  • 1 in 20.
  • 1 in 10.
  • Answer: 1 in 2.
    Genital HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the United States. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 50% of all sexually active men and women will develop HPV during their lives. Some health groups estimate the rate even higher.
4829 responses
The HPV vaccine is highly effective in preventing the types of HPV that most commonly cause cervical cancer and genital warts in young women.
  • Answer: True.
    But the vaccine is less effective in preventing HPV-related disease in young women who have already been exposed to one or more HPV types. Equally unfortunate, women in their midlife are at greatest risk for cervical cancer, and almost 20% of women with cervical cancer are diagnosed when they are over 65. Most HPV goes untreated.
  • False.
4803 responses
Scientists at Scripps Research did some of the research behind a new vaccine which can prevent HPV and reduce women's chances of getting cervical cancer. What is the vaccine called?
  • Verasem.
  • Servinex.
  • Answer: Gardasil.
    Scripps Research scientists Clint Potter and Bridget Carragher worked with powerful nanotechnology tools to characterize the viral particles of HPV, helping lead to the vaccine's development. Although academics have been working with various forms of technology for years, this research represents a scientific breakthrough that streamlines the process for the development of new biological vaccines. The manufacturer of Gardasil has distributed over 16 million doses of the vaccine within the United States to date.
  • Preverck.
4699 responses

Take Another Poll

What is Your Reproductive Health Care IQ?

December 16, 2008

Take the quick, fun quiz below to find out how much you know about the current laws around reproductive rights in our country.

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Tell Obama to Keep Protecting Reproductive Choice

Tell Obama to Keep Protecting Reproductive Choice

President Obama needs to know pro-choice Americans' priorities. We elected him because millions of people came together and got more involved than they ever had before. Let's keep it up! We need the same kind of enthusiasm and activity to promote a pro-choice agenda. Sign the petition letter urging President Obama to support commonsense policies to prevent unintended pregnancy, improve women's health and protect women's access to abortion care.

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