Glossary of terms HPV

A biopsy is a medical procedure, which involves removing cells or a sample of tissue from the body, to examine it more closely in a laboratory.²⁰

Cervical Cancer

A type of cancer that starts in the cervix, which is the lower part of the uterus.³

Cervix

The cervix is the lower part of the uterus, where the uterus joins with the top end of the vagina.³

Colposcopy

A medical procedure that allows a doctor to closely examine a woman's cervix, vagina and vulva for signs of disease.¹⁹

Human Papillomaviruses (HPV)

HPV is a common virus that can cause a variety of conditions from genital warts to cervical cancer. Of the 100 HPV types, there are 14 high-risk strains which can cause cervical cancer.^{9, 10} Of these 14 high-risk strains, HPV 16 and 18 are considered the highest risk and cause 70% of all cervical cancer cases.¹¹

HPV 16

HPV 16 is one of the highest-risk types of HPV with respect to developing cervical cancer. HPV 16 (together with HPV 18) cause approximately 70% of all cervical cancer cases.¹¹

HPV 18

HPV 18 is one of the highest-risk types of HPV with respect to developing cervical cancer. HPV 18 (together with HPV 16) cause approximately 70% of all cervical cancer cases.¹¹

HPV test that checks for high-risk HPV strains

The HPV test that checks for high-risk HPV strains detects the presence of the HPV virus to determine whether a woman is at risk of cervical pre-cancer. The HPV test can be done with or separately from a Pap smear.⁵

Pap smear

A Pap smear is a procedure to collect cells from the surface of the cervix and vagina. A swab is used to collect cells from the cervix and vagina. The cells are then viewed under a microscope to find out if they are abnormal.⁵