The human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common virus carried by millions of people around the world. There are hundreds of strains of HPV, and usually the immune system can fight off the infections.
In some cases, a person will get a high-risk infection that leads to cancer. This is most common in HPV-16 and/or HPV-18.
There is a vaccine that can help prevent HPV, and it’s usually recommended for males and females starting at ages 11-12 (as early as age 9) through age 26.
Over 90% of anal cancers are HPV-positive.
Your treatment plan will be unique and dependent on several factors.
Ask your doctor how your biomarker test results are informing your treatment plan and if you qualify for any clinical trials.
