HPV vaccination

Human papillomavirus, or HPV, is the major cause of cervical cancer.  Being vaccinated against HPV can help to prevent cervical cancer, as well as other cancers caused by HPV. 

There are over 100 different types of HPV, some of which are more likley to lead to the development of cancer than others. HPV is spread by skin-to-skin contact and the HPV types that cause cervical cancer are spread through sexual activity with a person who has the virus. HPV is very common and most people will have been infected within 1 to 2 years of becoming sexually active.

More than 70% of cervical cancers in Australia are caused by two of the most common types of HPV - HPV16 and HPV18.  A vaccine is now available that can protect against HPV16 and HPV18, and prevent these cancers from developing.  The vaccine is currently free in Western Australia for girls in Year 7 as part of the school-based National Immunisation Program.  Vaccinating girls before they become sexually active means the vaccine will be most effective, as it has little (if any) effect in people already infected with HPV 16 and 18.

Find out more about the HPV vaccine

Or watch our DVD on Cervical cancer and the HPV vaccine.

It is important to remember that women who have had the cervical cancer vaccine still need regular Pap smears (sometimes referred to as Pap tests). Find out more about Pap smears here.