When considering sexually transmitted diseases, it is important not to overlook the connection between genital warts and cancer.  While it is true that genital warts are no more potentially cancerous than one you may have on your finger or toe, genital warts are often caused by the same virus that is linked to cervical and other types of cancer in women, as well as penile cancer in men.  In addition, genital warts and cancer are possible in the  neck and head region of both genders, as a result of varying strains of the human papillomavirus.

Human Papillomavirus:

No, genital warts may not be the reason for cancerous tissue developing in a young woman; however, genital warts and cancer are connected through the human papillomavirus.  This virus is transmitted during sexual intercourse and can result in the development of warts.  Unlike the warts that are found on extremities, genital warts can form clusters of warts anywhere in and around the genital area to include the anus and its surrounding tissues.

When the human papillomavirus strikes in other ways; however, the patient may find herself wishing that this genital warts and cancer causing virus had left her with the warts instead.  When a woman is infected with either the human papillomavirus 16 or 18, the end result could be devastating.  This is because these two strains have been found to be much more virulent.  In fact, it is these two strains that are most commonly found in cases of cervical cancer and extreme dysplasia of the cervix.

Dysplasia of the cervix is one of the earliest signs of cancer, and is likely occurring due to having engaged in sexual intercourse with an infected partner.  Therefore, one of the most obvious ways to avoid genital warts and cancer is to abstain from sexual activity at least until you and your partner can be tested for this and other sexually transmitted diseases.  Yes! Asking a partner can be embarrassing and difficult, but the potential alternatives, like genital warts and cancer, are potentially more difficult to live with.  That is, of course, assuming you get to live with it at all.

In addition to abstinence, there is a newly developed drug on the market that protects women against four strains of the genital warts and cancer-causing virus.  This protection does include the known those, like HPV- 16/18, that cause cervical cancer in women.  This vaccine, however effective, does not protect against all strains; therefore, educated decisions regarding sexual activity are still a must. 

There is a lot of information that goes into understanding what are genital warts. An overview of what are genital warts provides the simple explanation that they are flesh-colored or gray growths that both men and women can get in the genital and anal region. Genital warts is also the most common sexually transmitted disease as a result of a virus. Genital warts are caused by the human papillomavirus or HPV. At first an infection of genital warts is not obvious.

Both men and women can get genital warts at any age. Those between the ages of seventeen and thirty-three are the most common patients with genital warts. They are high contagious and there is a sixty percent risk of getting genital warts with just one sexual contact with someone else who has genital warts. In children genital warts can occur through nonsexual modes such as direct manual contact. However, the presence of genital warts in children is always cause for suspicion of sexual abuse.

What Are Genital Warts Caused By

Genital warts are caused by the a virus called the human papillomavirus or HPV. There are over a hundred different types of this virus that have been identified and over forty of these viruses can infect the genital area. Although ninety percent of genital warts are caused by two types of the HPV virus, number six and eleven. Both of these types are considered low risk, meaning they don’t have a high cancer causing potential. Then there is HPV 16 which is responsible for fifty percent of the cervical cancer cases and types 16, 18, 31 and 45 have accounted for eighty percent of other cancers.

More specifically when considering what are genital warts caused by, they result when the viral particles are able to penetrate the skin or mucosal surfaces through any microscopic abrasions in the genital area which can occur during sexual activity. After the HPV virus invades cells there is a latency period of several months to years. Although most of the time two-thirds of people who had sexual contact with a partner with genital warts developed the warts themselves within three months.

Another aspect of what are genital warts caused by that many are not aware of is the fact that genital warts are associated with the use of birth control pills due to increased sexual contact without barrier protection, multiple sex partners and having sex when an individual is too young.

When we hear about sexually transmitted diseases, we usually hear about HIV, AIDS, gonorrhea, or herpes.  However, the human papillomavirus (HPV) is something that absolutely should not be overlooked when it comes to threats to the body arising from sexual activity.  There are a variety of strains of HPVs.  Some have been linked to cancer both in the cervical area of women and the penis of men.  Other, more common strains, are the causal factor in genital warts.  For this reason, all sexually active people should apprise themselves of genital warts information prior to engaging in sexual activities with any other person.

Genital Warts Information:

One of the most important pieces of genital warts information that any sexually active adult should have is that these warts are not usually the single bump that is commonly found on a finger or a toe.  In fact, genital warts can form clusters that are sometimes quite large in the genital and anal areas of an infected adult.  Both men and women can be infected, and the infection may not be contained to external areas.

An additional important piece of genital warts information that any adult who is considering becoming sexually active is that the same virus, HPV, that can cause genital warts can also cause cervical and other forms of cancer.  In addition, it cannot be assumed that cervical cancer is the only such risk from HPV.  In fact, the human papillomavirus can also present as penile cancer, other anogenital forms as well as certain head and neck cancers. 

Given this, then, abstinence prior to getting tests for both partners is an excellent step in proactive healthcare.  Another great idea for those who are just learning valuable pieces of genital warts information, is to consider getting vaccinated as a precautionary measure.  While the HPV vaccine is not going to protect anyone against every single strain of this potentially deadly virus, it has been proven effective against the two most virulent strains of cancer-causing HPV, which are HPV 16 and 18.

While just the idea of reading genital warts information may seem embarrassing and one of those things that just do not happen to you, this simply is not the case.  Genital warts and potentially cancer can happen to anyone who engages in sexual intercourse, or other unprotected activities of this nature.  For this reason, it is vital to not only read genital warts information, but to also protect yourself and the ones you love.

References: