DISCUSSES IMPORTANT FACTS ABOUT HPV
Watch health advocate and former athlete Laurent Duvernay-Tardif spread the word about HPV and
how you can help protect yourself from certain HPV-related cancers and diseases.
HPV FACTS
There are many interesting facts about HPV, here are some of them:
HPV IS A COMMON VIRUS
Approximately 3/4 of sexually active Canadians will have at least one HPV infection in their lifetime, and HPV can lead to certain cancers in both men and women.
YOU CAN BE AT RISK FOR HPV EVEN IF YOU’RE IN A MONOGAMOUS RELATIONSHIP
Think you’re not at risk for HPV in a committed relationship? Think again. It only takes one partner who is infected with HPV to pass it on. And, HPV often has no signs or symptoms, so you may not know if your partner has the virus. HPV-related cancers can take years or even decades to develop after a person is first infected with HPV.
HPV CAN LEAD TO CERTAIN CANCERS AND DISEASES
INCLUDING:
- anal cancer and certain head and neck cancers such as throat and back of mouth cancers, and genital warts in women and men
- cervical, vaginal, and vulvar cancers in women
THERE ARE WAYS TO HELP REDUCE YOUR RISK OF HPV INFECTION
THESE INCLUDE:
- having fewer sexual partners
- using condoms regularly and properly
- not smoking, as smoking can make it harder for the body to fight an HPV infection
- asking your healthcare provider about HPV vaccination to help protect against certain HPV-related cancers and diseases
As with any vaccine, side effects may occur and it may not be suitable for everyone.
TURN KNOWLEDGE
INTO ACTION
Learn how you can help protect yourself.
Now that you know more about HPV you can talk to a healthcare provider about all the ways that you can help protect yourself including HPV vaccination.
Find a clinic or a pharmacy near you and connect with a healthcare provider today.
Find a clinic or pharmacy to discuss HPV disease
and prevention with a healthcare provider.
This may not be an exclusive list of all available locations.
BOOK A VIRTUAL
APPOINTMENT*
Depending on your province of residence, some conditions and fees may apply.
Appletree Medical Group
HPV consultation is available at all 19 clinics across the GTA and Ottawa area. Vaccination visits are expedited into the clinic from registration to save patients time. Virtual Care is also available for rostered Appletree patients, International Students and Out of Province visitors.
Covered by OHIP.
Tia Health
Tia Health provides video chat, phone, and secure messaging consultations with licensed Canadian doctors.
Covered by OHIP, RAMQ, AHCIP, MSP.
WELL Health VirtualClinic+
WELL Health VirtualClinic+ connects you to a fully licensed Canadian physician by phone, video chat, and secure messaging.
Covered by OHIP, AHCIP, MSP.
Last updated January 2024.
AHCIP=Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan; MSP=Medical Services Plan; OHIP=Ontario Health Insurance Plan;
RAMQ=Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec (Québec Health Insurance Plan).
* This is not a comprehensive list of all available virtual healthcare providers in Canada.
Q&A WITH AN EXPERT
Watch Gabriel Oh, Nurse Practitioner, answer HPV questions
“Talk to a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or any healthcare professional of your choice about HPV and ways to help protect yourself from certain HPV-related cancers and diseases.”
Former Professional Athlete,
Health Advocate
HPV FACTS THAT
MAY SURPRISE YOU
HPV is widespread, and is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the world. It is estimated that three quarters of sexually active Canadians will have at least one HPV infection in their lifetime.
Any woman or man who is sexually active is at risk of getting an HPV infection. You can contract the virus from a single partner who has HPV. And since the virus usually has no signs or symptoms, people can have HPV and pass it on without knowing. Certain cancers caused by HPV often take years or even decades to develop after a person is first infected.
HPV is highly contagious and can spread from any type of sexual skin-to-skin contact in the genital area or during genital, anal, or oral sex.
HPV can infect areas that are not covered by a condom, so while condoms do offer some protection against HPV and other sexually transmitted infections, they may not fully protect you against the virus.
Pap tests and HPV testing are available for women, as part of cervical cancer screening, but there is currently no HPV DNA test authorized for men in Canada. Men can be examined by their doctors for genital warts caused by HPV, and for signs of HPV-related cancers.
There is no treatment or cure for HPV, although doctors can treat genital warts and cancers caused by HPV. Even with successful treatment, HPV-related genital warts and cancers may reappear.