Getting a positive HPV result can make many people think immediately: “Do I have cervical cancer?”
The answer is no.
HPV is a group of more than 200 very common viruses. Most sexually active people will acquire HPV at least once in their lifetime, usually with no symptoms and the body able to control the virus on its own.
What increases the risk of cervical cancer is not simply “having HPV”, but mainly a high-risk HPV infection that persists for many years.
How do low-risk and high-risk HPV differ?
Not all HPV types are the same.
Low-risk HPV
Some types can cause:
- Genital warts
- Benign lesions on the skin or mucous membranes
The types that cause genital warts are usually not the same group of HPV types that cause cancer.
High-risk HPV
About 12 HPV types are classified by the NCI as high risk.
Among them, HPV 16 and HPV 18 are particularly important and cause about 70% of cervical cancer cases worldwide.
High-risk HPV types may also be linked to cancers of:
- Vulva
- Vagina
- Anus
- Penis
- Some cancers of the oropharynx
But once again:
High-risk HPV infection ≠ already having cancer.
How can HPV turn into cancer?
This process usually does not happen quickly.
A simple way to picture it:
High-risk HPV infection
↓
In most cases the body controls the virus on its own
↓
If HPV persists for many years
↓
Cervical cells may begin to change
↓
Pre-cancerous lesions
↓
If they are not detected and treated
↓
They may progress to cancer
According to WHO, the process from a persistent HPV infection to cervical cancer usually takes about 15–20 years, although it can be faster in people with weakened immunity.
This is also why cervical cancer can be effectively prevented with vaccines, screening and treatment of pre-cancerous lesions.
Why do some people have HPV but never develop cancer?
Because in most cases the immune system can control HPV before the virus causes serious changes in the cells.
The risk increases when high-risk HPV persists over a long period.
Several factors can make it more likely that HPV persists and progresses, such as:
- Weakened immunity
- HIV infection
- Smoking
- Certain medicines that suppress the immune system
The important thing is not to view a positive HPV result as a “sentence”, but as information that helps you decide how to follow it up.
What should you do if HPV is positive?
First of all: do not panic.
Your doctor will also look at:
- Which HPV type are you positive for?
- Is HPV 16 or 18 present?
- Is the Pap smear abnormal?
- What were your earlier screening results?
- Your age and your personal risk
Depending on the case, the next step may be:
- Monitoring and repeat testing after a period of time
- Having a Pap smear
- Additional HPV genotyping tests
- Colposcopy
- A biopsy if there is a suspicious area
Not every positive HPV result needs colposcopy or immediate treatment.
Does a negative HPV result mean you definitely do not have cancer?
It should not be understood that absolutely.
A negative HPV result usually shows a considerably lower current risk, especially if the test looks for the high-risk HPV types.
However, the HPV test is a screening tool, not a guarantee that you will never develop cervical cancer.
You should still continue screening on a schedule that suits your age, your previous results and medical guidance.
If you have had the HPV vaccine, can you still get HPV?
You can.
The HPV vaccine protects against the most important HPV types, but it does not cover every HPV type that exists.
The vaccine also does not treat an HPV infection that is already present.
Even so, vaccination remains one of the most important ways to reduce the risk of HPV-related diseases and cancers.
If you have had the HPV vaccine, do you still need a Pap smear or an HPV test?
Yes.
The vaccine and screening have two different roles:
HPV vaccine → helps prevent infection with the important HPV types.
HPV test/Pap smear → helps detect risk, or changes that have already appeared in the cervix.
So people who have been vaccinated should still have cervical screening in line with the appropriate guidance.
How do the HPV test and the Pap smear differ?
This is a point that is very easily confused.
HPV test
→ looks for high-risk HPV.
Pap smear
→ looks for cervical cells that have changed abnormally.
A simple way to understand it:
The HPV test looks for “risk”.
The Pap smear looks for “changes in the cells”.
In some cases the doctor may do both to assess risk more fully.
When should you see a doctor sooner?
HPV usually causes no symptoms, but you should not wait for your scheduled screening if you develop:
- Bleeding after sex
- Bleeding between periods
- Bleeding after the menopause
- Blood-stained or persistently abnormal vaginal discharge
- Pelvic pain
- Pain during sex
These symptoms do not mean cervical cancer, but they do need to be checked to establish the cause.
The most important things to remember about HPV
If you remember only 4 things, remember these:
1. HPV is very common.
2. A positive HPV result does not mean cancer.
3. The risk comes mainly from persistent high-risk HPV.
4. Vaccination + regular screening significantly reduces the risk of cervical cancer.
According to WHO, almost all cases of cervical cancer are linked to persistent high-risk HPV infection. At the same time, however, most people with HPV will not go on to develop cancer.
Tracking women's health on Halza
Through Halza, you can look up and book gynaecology appointments, HPV tests, Pap smears and cervical cancer screening services at partner hospitals and clinics.
Saving your HPV and Pap smear results across repeated check-ups also makes it convenient to follow your screening history.
A positive HPV result is not a diagnosis of cancer. What matters is knowing the HPV type, following up on schedule and acting early if abnormal changes appear in the cervix.
The information in this article is for reference only and does not replace a doctor's advice, diagnosis or prescription.
Frequently asked questions
What is HPV?
HPV stands for Human Papillomavirus.
The virus can be transmitted through intimate skin-to-skin contact, usually linked to vaginal, anal or oral sex. HPV can affect the cervix, vagina, vulva, anus, penis, mouth and throat.
HPV is very common and many people are infected without knowing at all that they have the virus.
Does a positive HPV result mean cancer?
No.
A positive HPV test only tells you that one of the HPV types the test looks for has been detected.
It does not mean that you have cervical cancer.
Most HPV infections are controlled by the immune system and disappear within about 1–2 years without causing cancer.
Does HPV cause symptoms?
In most cases there are no symptoms.
Some low-risk HPV types can cause genital warts. High-risk HPV infection, on the other hand, usually causes no obvious signs.
That is why testing and screening matter more than “waiting to see whether the body shows any signs”.
References
- World Health Organization – Human Papillomavirus and Cancer
- World Health Organization – Cervical Cancer, updated 3/7/2026
- National Cancer Institute – HPV and Cancer
- National Cancer Institute – Cervical Cancer Causes, Risk Factors and Prevention
- CDC – Basic Information about HPV and Cancer
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