Is HPV a cancer?

Human papillomavirus (HPV) itself is not a cancer, but it can cause some types of cancer. HPV is a group of viruses that can infect the skin and mucous membranes, including those in the genital area. Most HPV infections go away on their own and do not cause any health problems. However, some HPV infections can lead to the development of cancer over time, particularly cervical cancer, but also other types of cancer such as anal, penile, vulvar, vaginal, or oropharyngeal cancers. It is important to get vaccinated against HPV and to undergo regular cervical cancer screening to detect any abnormalities early and prevent cancer from developing or catch it at an early stage when it is more treatable.