Why HPV Is Cancer In One Convenient Package

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HPV isn't the only virus that causes cancer, but it's one of the best at it. Here's what we've learned about this supervillain of a pathogen, and how to stop it.
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Sources:
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/arti...
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8598912/
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/arti...
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/arti...
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/arti...
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/arti....
www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/c...
www.nature.com/articles/srep2...
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34971...
publications.aap.org/pediatri...
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28798...
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/arti...
www.cdc.gov/hpv/parents/about....
journals.plos.org/plospathoge...
Image Sources:
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www.gettyimages.com/detail/vi...
www.gettyimages.com/detail/vi...
www.researchgate.net/figure/S...
journals.plos.org/plosbiology...
www.gettyimages.com/detail/ph...
www.gettyimages.com/detail/il...
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...
www.gettyimages.com/detail/ph...
www.gettyimages.com/detail/ph...
www.gettyimages.com/detail/ph...
www.gettyimages.com/detail/il...
www.gettyimages.com/detail/ph...
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...
www.gettyimages.com/detail/vi...
www.gettyimages.com/detail/ph...
www.gettyimages.com/detail/ph...
www.gettyimages.com/detail/vi...

[@SciShow]

Visit brilliant.org/scishow/ to get started learning STEM for free. The first 200 people will get 20% off their annual premium subscription and a 30-day free trial.

[@josephvanname3377]

But does Brilliant have a course on reversible computation?

[@Privacityuser]

But normaly: GOV around the world don't vaccinate for FREE old people because they WANT THEY TO DIE

[@jonesomar8754]

DR ALAHO OLU on KZbin Channel you’re indeed a great and trusted traditional and holistic herbalist, he cured me and my wife from Herpes, he also has cure for HPV, FIBROID, CANCER, LUNGS DISEASE.💚💚😊

[@gruntgamer4204]

Want to know another cause of cancer in a small package? The drinking water being used by about 50% of Americans.

[@msfishfarming91]

What sets igrotum apart is its safety and natural approach. Its a relief to find a cancer cure without compromising overall well-being.

[@dopeymark]

I'm currently dealing with late-stage colorectal cancer as a result of getting HPV in my late twenties. I had to deal with genital warts early on, but I never thought it would go beyond that. What I have been going through is beyond horrible. Radiation treatments, chemotherapy, and next surgery and a colostomy bag. Take this seriously... You don't want to go through what I am going through.

[@brandoluis5525]

My HSV type 2 ruined my marriage life, I was lucky 💃💃💃 to got cured permanently by DR ALAHO OLU on KZbin Channel. He cures HPV and HIV, FIBROID, CANCER too….

[@erictuffelmire6826]

It's amazing that HPV has existed fpr basically all if human history and cancer rates decide to explode starting 2022.

[@Miatalustrium]

​@@erictuffelmire6826🤔 Citation needed* Is your response to assume that cancer rates have blown up the past year for some reason??? Because, no, cancer has been on the rise, but it hasn't suddenly "exploded" in the past year unless you can cite something to the contrary.

[@SubLowForty]

Sorry to hear what you're going through mate, good luck on your journey!

[@pazuzuxx]

Sorry to hear. How old are you? How long did it take for cancer to develop?

[@captainlubey]

My wife found out she had early stage cervical cancer from a routine pap smear. It is so important to get regular tests! She had a hysterectomy to get rid of the cancer but 18 months later is still struggling with high grade cells because this disease is EVIL.

[@caspenbee]

Looks like Norbert Pardi, Ph.D., of the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine is planning clinical trials of the mRNA vaccines (they've developed 3) specifically to target the cancer. Maybe your wife can get into the trials if she wanted to and got in touch. Best of luck either way.

[@scifisyko]

It’s a good reason to do all you can to shut down the loony ideologues who are opposed to letting kids get the HPV vaccine because it’s encouraging child promiscuity or whatever. Those people *suck.*

[@stephanieparker1250]

❤❤❤❤❤

[@MossyMozart]

@trainergoose - I've had HPV-mediated cancer and have all the empathy in the world for people who are suffering through cancer, too. All my very best goes out to your wife and to you, her best caretaker.

[@marley7145]

trainergoose, good luck and best wishes to your wife. Have you been tested? (I mean... don't answer, I don't need to know. Just asking in case you haven't, because you might want to talk to your doctor.)

[@Hieroglyph_]

I’m currently 20. I was never vaccinated for HPV by my parents growing up, but I decided to get the full series on my own last year. I’m glad I did! This vaccine does such a great thing.

I got it as 41 and 43 year old male. Because I knew someone I talked too and wanted a relationship with had been around unprotected. We didn't meet first time because she didn't wanted to be in a relationship and when we meet the first time the second time around I still hadn't sex with her because she wasn't willing to accept a condom at first. Later she have cried about why I want something between us and I ended up not having sex with her the second or third time we meet either and now I kinda less seen as something she want to date seriously.

[@michaelpondo-nv9yy]

​@no protection no sex period.

​@@michaelpondo-nv9yy Back when we spoke the first time she said she thought it was 30-40 and that she did it unprotected. When we finally meet she said that it was likely 100 and had been 3 in one day and meant that it could be 200 now. And that she had only used condom twice. I had assigned a meeting for vaccination before the end when we started the first time so I took my first HPV shot then and my second much later now before we actually meet. She had yellow stains at pillow height in the middle of the bed too but I haven't brought that up with her. Anyway she eventually told me to get going so to say and so I rushed fetching them even though she had said the day before she didn't used them because it had failed both times and once back she told me "Not if you're going to use one of those" so that meant I skipped it even though I had spent 17 months into that and have had lots of feelings and spent so much time especially with thoughts up until then and on the phone after. I had figured we could do without if we actually become a couple. So I didn't. I then kinda participated and she changed her mind but then I was already disappointed and then she decided to help but the issue with partners so she got rejected and then I kinda attempted but it just become hard and messy so I skipped it. (I avoided details because KZbin had some limits on it. But yeah I participated with other parts and then she changed her mind but then I had already become disappointed. Then she wanted to help me but because of the numbers of partners I pushed her to the side so that aborted that. I then tried on my own but I had bought somewhat girthier polyurethane ones because they were thin and supposed to let body-heat transfer but I also had messy fingers and kinda accidently asked if I should go rinse them because ... And I knew she didn't liked such a comment from a thing she had experienced before but I didn't meant it like that. So I had to tried with just one hand but polyurethane is less stretchy than latex. And then I just aborted it all because she used her tool through it all so that stressed it further too.) And later she have used that as evidence for that she wasn't turning me on and hence kinda as reason for not meeting again even though she have called me all the time and we've spoken lots of hours every day. Then we finally meet a second time 10 weeks later but by then I knew she have had someone else and she had parked me in phone calls and come home pretending she had to hang up without explaining why and so on so things was more damaged. I helped her clean her upper floor and then she wanted to go to work and for me to come and told me we could shower there which made me feel rushed (because the first time the first thing we did was to go to a .. uhm.. more flexible beach where I also got a chance) telling her I was tired and would had wanted to rest some because I was that but also I wanted some together time which made her angry and going to her job alone so that didn't turned out great. (Leaving out details to save space but basically she had a dude all along and hired someone she had dated before. For the second time the dude she had dated before would have his things in her house so I was used for that purpose. First evening I ended up putting on a hand lotion which smelled so she left the bedroom which made it feel bad and hence I got little and poor sleep and no cuddling time either then or the next day because we only cleaned things and then were supposed to go to her work, I eventually went to her work but we showered in separate booths and nothing happened in the evening plus she got her period that evening too.) And then we meet a third time but in the week leading up to that one she explained she have had a dude when we meet the first time but didn't told me because then I wouldn't had come and how she had meet three other people in-between but how she would had meet me instead if I lived closer. I rushed down there and come down late in the night because it's a long distance and I knew she thought I was slow before. All was dark when I got there so I slept on a couch but in the morning she messaged me how now she wanted a massage and I really wanted to continue sleeping but .. And afterwards she asked me if I had to sleep more or if I could go up and I could go up (for then) but then started another day which eventually resulted in her taking me to her job again and I was tired so I told her "excuse me but now I will become tired again" and she just become stiff and didn't say anything and I felt judged and not understood and felt guilty / same as previous time. At the job she told me there was a resting place but I didn't wanted her to talk to someone else on the phone so at first I was with her and then I say "I'm sorry .." and then I got sad because I was tired and she said "Sorry for what?" but I was stuck on feeling judged and she was disappointed and started to treat me bad because she felt it was bad I suppose but that didn't helped things. It would had been much better if she had tried to repair things with hugs and being understanding instead. But I guess maybe she wasn't all that interested in the first place and meet me because I said I wanted to but then that make it seem like I don't / it's not good and then seen as a waste of time from her side or whatever. Definitely waste of time and feelings from my side as she couldn't be serious and just meet me and see where that went rather than the way she do it. Yet she wanted me to be available and talk to her all the time. I inbetween got the third shot and then I've also got Hepatit A+B shots. Things are kinda bad between us now as she have had me around and sometimes made suggestions but sometimes distances / kept the distance because she's occupied with someone else / don't want to meet seriously and every time she suggest she are meeting someone else or push me away I of course get hurt and as a result less interested and spent less time and focus on her which she feels and hence lose interest in spending it on me. Like, if she don't get enough attention she push me away which just result in it becoming even weaker. But I don't see how I should be able to have full attention for years if she can't commit and are with and date others. Of course there's always the friend bit and then you could still be around but I never intended to be friend and all that suffering was and is definitely not worth it for being friend.

[@jesterthelegend926]

No reason to get it as a male

@@jesterthelegend926 Wrong. For males it could cause things such as penile, anal and throat cancer though typically it may be limited to the first one. But it can cause cancer in males too. Also even if it couldn't to carry HPV would mean you could infect others which is bad and can cause trouble for them. This specific person don't do her checkups and don't care if she get cancer and claim she doesn't care about others. Also didn't cared enough about me to allow me to use a condom because she think they are disgusting. But bunch of dick's, vibrator handle, disabled fingers and shampoo bottles work.

[@genesisangel5657]

Yep, this is the cancer I am dealing with. I am just SO glad that there is a HPV vaccine out now so my niece and nephew do not have to deal with this like I do. I hope all those who qualify to get the HPV vaccine get it. Nobody deserves cancer.

[@jasonpatterson9821]

So ridiculous that some people don't want their kids vaccinated for this. I hope your treatment is as easy as it can possibly be, but imagine if you could have just gotten a couple of shots when you were 11 or 12 and not had the worry, cost, and pain of all of this for you and your loved ones. It's a no brainer. In regard to the primary argument against it - no 6th grader ever said, "Well, I'm not going to get one specific type of cancer in 20-40 years, I can be promiscuous!"

[@marley7145]

Damn, I'm sorry. Best wishes, and I hope you beat it.

[@genesisangel5657]

@@marley7145 Thank you very much!

[@Apple-mg6jr]

hope youre doing ok

[@sublimewearinkid]

The vaccine isn't gardasil, is it?

[@colleens.279]

This is why it's so important to get the HPV vaccine, get tested AND to get your Pap Smears regularly. This can literally save your life.

[@beepboop204]

giving boys HPV vaccines wasnt a thing when i was a kid, oops

[@granolapancake]

It should be essential for men too.

[@da1stamericus]

​@@granolapancakeit is offered free of charge to young people in the Netherlands. Yet only 20% got it. Some adults don't care if their young people get vaccinated 😢

[@tomhrio]

@@granolapancake i just avoid women. no hpv that way

[@frikativos]

​@@tomhrio Well .. I avoided women all my life, but I think there are high chances I got the virus already..

[@PSwayBeats]

Hank hope u get better

[@RiadoKunsoh]

What happened to Hank :0 ?

[@anhondacivic6541]

​@Mohamed Riadh Sohnoun he has cancer but it is easy to treat at least

[@shaider1982]

Same sentimenr here.

[@frikativos]

He will get better. Thanks to science!

[@chrisladouceur4093]

Pretty sure he has lymphoma

[@Vhagaryen]

In the United States, you can get the HPV vaccine up to 45 years of age (though it will be less effective if you didn't get it in your youth). I'm in my 30s and I got the series a few years back. Men/Boys should get it as well. To quote the Mayo Clinic website: "the vaccine can prevent genital warts, anal cancers, and mouth, throat, head and neck cancers in women and men."

[@maremacd]

Then why is it not available to older people? Is it protective against cancers that are not contracted via a sexually transmitted virus? I mean, he said throat cancer and you are saying neck and head cancers as well, but I guess I don’t know if you are talking about cancers that may arise in these areas but developed because of sexually transmitted infection.

[@Samu2010lolcats]

@@maremacd They are HPV vaccines so of course the cancers they prevent are HPV related.

[@p0xus]

Yeah, I need to get mine.

[@tienglongmy]

Yeah it causes cancer so why not get it injected in yourself.

[@gizmothepiefaceman3062]

@@p0xus how tf am I only hearing about this now 😭☠️

[@lunacouer]

One of the tests they do via Pap smears these days is testing for all 14 identified high-risk HPV types (16 and 18 being the riskiest). This is why if you have a cervix, it's so important to keep up on your Pap smears. If you have one of these HPV types, you and your doctor can monitor you more frequently. I imagine it's especially important if you're unvaccinated (like me), but even if you are, cervical cancer is no joke. You won't know until it's either detected via testing or you're already very, very sick. Edit: @TheNinja brought up an excellent point below. The tests they order can vary widely depending on location, lab practices and medical practices. Ask your doctor what they're testing for.

[@theninja4137]

Which tests they do differs between countries. Some countries test only for HPV virusses in young people (with the reasoning that abnormal cells will likely only be present with chronic infection at that age) while others test only for abnormal cells (with the reasoning that a HPV infection in most cases clears up on its own), and even others do both. The age from which onwards it is recommended also vastly differs (20 years to 30 years in the countries I have lived in). So I am really unsure which guidelines to follow

[@TaterKakez]

16/18 & 45…

[@lunacouer]

@@theninja4137 Thank you so much for this reply. It's so helpful. I should've clarified that I'm in the US, and my OB/Gyn ordered this specific test. I'm in my 50's, but she's testing anyone who can be sexually active, since anyone can catch this virus at any time. That makes sense that it will vary widely depending on location and standard medical practices - or even a doctor's individual preferences. For instance, if I had a different OB/Gyn, they may have only screened for 16 and 18. Or it could be this lab automatically tests for all of them, but another lab may not unless specified. Or it could depend on what tests your insurance will pay for. So yeah, lots of variation. I still think the most important thing is to get your regular Pap smears, no matter what. My insurance recently changed to only paying for it every two years instead of one, based on my age. Not a big fan of that, since the older you get, the higher your risk of all cancers. But I imagine it's the same reasoning you mentioned - they think we're maybe not as sexually active and would've cleared any earlier infections by then. Problem is, this is also the age where a lot of people get divorces and start new relationships. Personally, I think it should still be yearly, based on that alone, but alas - the US healthcare system.

[@orangebeagle3068]

@ Snuzzled They only test for 16 and 18 at my hospital in Michigan.

[@CL-go2ji]

@kennethmiller1029 Are you trying to hurt people who are already stressed? Why are you hurting stressed people? They do not need this.

[@Mrdresden]

My partner got HPV caused cervical cancer a few years ago. She survived thanks to treatment, but is now unable to bear children. Make sure you get checks on a regular basis.

[@CmdrShepardsPie]

I was only taught abstinence sexual education, which means there was no education on condoms or STDs/STIs. Despite their insistence, we of course found our ways into each other's pants and sleeping with just one wrong person who slept with just one wrong person, I got HPV and gave it to someone else. It took years to understand what it was, how we got it, and why it was so dangerous, but by then the damage was done to me and all my partners. Now I make sure they know the risk and always use protection, but I was well into my adult years before the damage of abstinence only education could be undone, and it hurt so many people along the way.

[@syzygy4365]

I can't tell you how happy I am to hear the abstinence generation speak up about how they harmed their youth. They meant well, but in the most traumatizing way possible.

[@al2os6oraah36]

Just like animals Fornication like its a cup of coffe

[@ImpoForrest]

Agreed but let’s not call people with HPV “one wrong person”

[@everyhandlesalreadytaken]

@@ImpoForrest well, this person clearly would’ve been better off without getting HPV, it makes perfect sense they’d rather have not met the one who passed the virus on them.

[@BensCoffeeRants]

Curious what the symptoms were? If you noticed something was up?

[@naibafYT]

It's really hard to overstate what you guys are doing for education/scientific literacy of the masses and protecting people from unscientific quackery 😍

[@IdentifiantE.S]

They are legends !

[@erictuffelmire6826]

How about the polio vaccine that was contaminated with SV40 for a couple decades which is a literal cancer virus. It's passed on to ones children and increses in cancer can be 1,000% higher depending on cancer type.

[@MossyMozart]

What I have learned from HPV-mediated cancer - - - * With the initial diagnosis, I suffered A LOT at the hands of the local oncologist. When I had metastasis, I went to a designated cancer hospital - Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in NYC. It was so much better! If you can, got to a medical center with a respected cancer unit. If my experience is an example, you will have less suffering. * With over 90% of adults in the USA infected without knowing it, there is nobody to blame. At this point, it is part of the human condition. * Follow up on all the testing the Doctor wants. I had 2 metastases found on follow-up PET / CT scans (2018 and 2020). Get your regularly scheduled blood work, PAP smears, etc. * GET THOSE KIDS VACCINATED! HPV cancers are one class we can eradicate utilizing the vaccines. Parents who do not get their children vaccinated might be condemning them to cancer once they approach 50 or so, often after parents are dead and will not see what their inaction did to their kids.

[@twistedsister1216]

I have stage 4 cervical cancer, and I'm a lot younger than 50!! My parents are very much still alive, and had to watch me go through cancer treatment, right around the time that I wanted to start a family. They'll never have grandchildren now. (not their fault I wasn't vaccinated against HPV, there was no option to get it in school until a few years after I left. And there was zero information on how to get the vaccine until maybe 5-10 years ago, and by then the damage was already done.)

[@RedPilledDaddy]

not with mRNA.....traditional? Yes. Mainly because it had worked before and mRNA isnt full understood/modifies genetic code.

[@rainymornings]

Disagree about the "nobody to blame". The 90% are people who are infected during their lifetime, and since the body (frequently) clears it up by itself, that doesn't mean that right now you have a 90% chance of contracting it from someone you have sex with. It does mean that every time you have unprotected sex with someone, you're increasing your risk. And also that people with a lot of partners are likely to be superspreaders.

[@everyhandlesalreadytaken]

@Kenneth Miller that’s nonsense, especially for an absolutely plain, common vaccine like this one.

[@BensCoffeeRants]

Is it really that common that 90% of people in the states have it? Probably less in canada since we have a little better sexual education and seem to be less promiscuous fortunately and unfortunately ;)

[@neezduts69420]

I absolutely love the way this is presented: super easy bitesize pieces of information stuck together along with a visually minimalistic yet fun to look at graphics. Thank you again scishow!

[@suhrim6666]

I was too old for the HPV vaccine. Sad they didn't have it available when I was young enough to get it.

[@HeroInHelp]

It shouldn't even be an excuse. Older men and older women still sleep with younger adults. Therefore the age parameters in which sexually active adults to be considered for the vaccines should cover them too.

[@marccracchiolo4935]

If it works for older adults everyone who wants it should get it. Here’s a cancer that’s actually preventable and they don’t encourage everyone to get this?

[@marccracchiolo4935]

How and where do I get the new prevention they talked about at the end of this video? I guess it’s a kind of vaccination to?

[@Merennulli]

​@@marccracchiolo4935 It isn't approved for human use yet.

[@marccracchiolo4935]

@@Merennulli oh that’s too bad do you know by chance when it will be?

[@Psychx_]

I'm male and I got myself vaccinated for HPV aswell, as I don't want to be a carrier. Given enough awareness, this disease can be erradicated!

[@cristinag.7420]

Keep dreaming!

[@samiel1014]

lol weak men need vaccines.

[@Leftatalbuquerque]

I am dealing with this right now in life at 58. Lucky kids today to get vaccines. I hope the uber-religious parents don't block their kids' access.

[@user28sdfg8]

uber religious parents are smart enough, not to ruin life of their kids injecting unpredictable stuff playing with ur genome

[@JimBob1937]

@@user28sdfg8 , vaccines don't edit your genome... I think you ironically proved the point.

[@jaykanta4326]

@@user28sdfg8 Religion poisons everything, and you're a prime example

[@rayvenrowe9242]

as someone who works in an obgyn office please please please get your yearly paps. i’ve seen first hand how quickly things go from mildly concerning to extremely serious. hpv is no joke and very common

[@twistedsister1216]

Unfortunately, a lot of countries don't do smear tests yearly. In the UK it's every 3 years from when you're 20 or 25 (varies by country). In the Netherlands it's every 5 years from when you're 30. I got a smear test at 30, by the time the invite came for the next one when I was 35, I already had stage 2 cervical cancer 😔

[@wolfferoni]

@@twistedsister1216 Geez, I'm so sorry. How are you doing now? I hope you're in remission. But yeah, getting tested yearly isn't common even though it should be. It used to be every 2 years in Australia but now it's every 5 years from 25 unless you want to pay out of pocket. 30 seems so very late considering people become sexually active in their teens.

[@cannedmusic]

Thanks for doing this. I hope it helps people appreciate more accurately what Hank is going through at the moment.

[@safaiaryu12]

My mom had cervical cancer twice (finally had a hysterectomy) before HPV's role in it was understood. She does think it was started by HPV. However, I didn't get the vaccine because it was brand new when I was in my late teens and my mom didn't trust it yet. Should probably get around to that...

[@MsArizonaGrown]

It was recalled

[@TheKateO13]

@@Miguel.L the general idea is that people need information to be able to make the choices. SciShow giving the information is a start.

[@sabinajoh]

@@Sir_Sway Paralysis would most probably be associated with GBS which happens when your body attacks its own nerves. You could get it from any immune reaction and it’s very rare. Scientists haven’t found a higher risk associated between GBS and the vaccine. They have however proved the decreased cancer risk. The risk/benefit analysis would still speak for the vaccine

[@WhirledPeas]

@@Sir_Sway Proof of that?

[@marycontrary6216]

@@sabinajoh They certainly HAVE found exactly that. At least one French study have proven the link.

[@fabricdragon]

sadly i have always been "too old" for the shot. i was an adult when kids could get it, and by the time you could get it up to age 45 i was over that. a friend of mine died from throat cancer caused by HPV... i really hope someday everyone can get the vaccine

[@MossyMozart]

@Kirsten Houseknecht - I am so sorry that your friend suffered through throat cancer. My radiation oncologist told me that it is the worst location he has to treat because of the suffering radiation causes there. (I also hope that everyone will be vaccinated who can be.)

[@Ice_Karma]

Up to, and including or excluding, 45?

[@TakenTook]

Ask your OB/GYN about it anyway. They might be willing to give you the vaccine "off label" although you probably won't be able to convince your insurance company to pay for it.

[@Abdega]

I had to go to the county next to mine to get the vaccine because mine didn’t have it There I didn’t have to pay full price for it despite my insurance not covering it Try checking your local county health department and your neighboring county health departments

[@BensCoffeeRants]

I don't think the vaccine would do anything beneficial if you already had HPV. Otherwise if you don't I don't see why they wouldn't give the vaccine to older people unless there is some safety concerns.

[@nebiyathamza]

By far one of the best videos I’ve watched in a while!

[@Yupppi]

Imagine knowing exactly what a virus is doing and not being able to tell and guide your cells to deal with it, they just keep getting fooled. After watching further I'll take that back. Hecking scientist being so smart, giving detailed instructions to the body on how to do their job.

[@serenkeating7672]

In Ireland it's been given since 2010 to girls in their first year of secondary school, the equivalent of 7th grade so about 13 years old. It's been given to boys at the same age since 2019.

[@clarehidalgo]

Yeah, I think I remember reading somewhere during 2019 they think HPV increases prostate cancer risk in men

[@tayIorswif]

Thanks lmao, I'm in third year and couldn't remember so I was gonna ask if I had been vaccinated

[@KLOConnell67]

I'd love to see a video about why testing for HPV does not exist for males/penis-owners. Vaccination is are so so important, but when only half the population can get tested, its hard to really prevent further spread.

[@travisboles2646]

There is no test for males. Pap smears are what health care providers use for women, but only show precancerous/cancerous cells in the cervix. The rest are diagnosed but symptoms such as worts or other cancerous growths. Most people who have HPV never know because they don’t develop or show any symptoms. Research is mixed on whether or not the body can fight off HPV or if you contract HPV that you are sure to have cancer. One thing is true, much more research is needed, and hopefully a reliable treatment will become available.

[@TheTeaLordRBLX]

“penis-owners” lmao

[@AltruisticWarrior]

Unfortunately in some circumcisionstances the penis owns me.

[@nitrobear]

@@TheTeaLordRBLX yeah I mean there's a ton of people, not only transgender women or cisgender men that have dicks tbf

[@bartwilson2513]

HPV is the most common STI. People are almost always infected with their first or second sexual partner and each partner thereafter. So, incredibly common. The only way to reduce (not eliminate) HPV is to wear a condom with every incidence of intercourse and limiting your sexual partners. And even that isn't perfect at prevention. We will never be able to prevent the spread by identifying those infected....virtually everyone is/has/will be as it is viral and there is no treatment. Infections also come and go with the majority resolving on their own. That also complicates testing and it is what makes Pap smears really only effective as an ANNUAL/SEMI ANNUAL screening tool for cervical cancer....it is only "good" at catching cancer the more smears you have. The incidence of HPV associated cancers is much higher in women and therefore make routine Pap smears both cost effective (MUCH MUCH more so than for those with penises) and we have large studies showing it does prevent significant numbers of cancer which is another reason for the focus on women. Interesting tangential note: those who are circumcised penises from birth don't get penile cancer as it is that tissue that is vulnerable to infection by HPV (leading to cancer) and those people are, therefore less likely to be infected/ infect their partners. The issue of HPV associated anal cancer is also important to talk about here, as the numbers are high enough that screening of cellular changes perhaps should be undertaken for anyone (male or female) who engages in anal sex or oral-anal sex. (A digital rectal exam only catches cancer in that region once it is obvious to the naked eye. But, for anal pap smears it requires different testing tools/mediums and not every lab is equipped to test/analyze the samples, nor is everyone trained to perform/interpret those results. But those HPV tests would be more likely to be cost effective and actually effective at preventing cancer --- but more comprehensive studies with larger sample sizes will likely be needed. You think pap smears are hard enough to talk about, try anal paps. LOL The stigma is another problem!

[@Articulate99]

Always interesting, thanks you.

[@helmutzollner5496]

Very interesting. Thanks.

[@WhirledPeas]

Wow, really a great video. Short concise and loaded with information! Bravo and thanks for your hard work!

[@TheoRae8289]

🙃 the vaccine came out less than a month after I was diagnosed as having those strains of HPV. I'm probably not going to be eligible for the mRNA shot for the same reason. While I don't have a cervix anymore because of the brand of hysterectomy I had to have, I've seen a case of someone who completely lost her reproductive organs despite having a similar surgery. I don't expect to live to see 50, and I'm currently 38. From my great grandmother down, every generation has been dying younger than the last, mostly to a wide variety of cancers. my mother was 53.

[@nightmare5479]

The quality of these videos ❤

[@naibafYT]

I can also encourage everyone to talk to their doctors and insurance about having it covered. Having talked to a doctor and my insurance in Germany (as a male in my thirties), I also got the vaccination covered in a case by case review, considering the chances of previous exposures. Saved me 480 euros.

[@BrotherCheng]

I still don't understand why the vaccine is only recommended for young people. The logic of "if you are old you probably were exposed anyway" never made sense to me. Doesn't that depend on the individual? What if you are a 40-year-old virgin (like the movie)? Does that not still qualify you for the vaccine? I guess it always bugs me that the recommendation never explains what the tradeoffs are for an older person to get the vaccine (the benefit seems pretty clear to me).

[@willkrummeck]

Almost like someone wanted the world to get more cancer, maybe even targeted specific populations.

[@twistedsister1216]

You're absolutely right, it is stupid. Especially since they give the HPV vaccine therapeutically to people who have had their cervical cancer surgically removed. And they give the vaccine to later stage cancer patients (me included), again therapeutically. I did have to pay for it (I'm over 30), but the evidence IS there that it's still beneficial, still effective, even at that stage.

[@theninja4137]

I think the reasoning is that most of these cancers take time to develop So someone infected later in life has a much lower chance of getting cancer

[@sensimania]

​@@theninja4137 I wouldn't class 40 as "later in life". They still have to get through their 40s, 50s, 60s and (Godwilling) 70s, 80s. I know someone who knows exactly when she caught HPV (in her early 30s), but her smear tests only started showing abnormal cells in her late 30s. I don't think it's about incubation time. I think its about the immune system and whether its strong enough to fight the infections/flare ups so that the "abnormal cells" do not become cancerous. So, if we are if the generation that wasn't lucky enough to be eligible for the vaccine, one of the best things we can do is to take extra measures to strengthen our immune system

[@jessicabrown1305]

While it's only recommended for younger people, if you're concerned or think you have risk factors you can normally request it. Unfortunately I think you have to pay more if you're outside the recommended ages but ymmv depending on where you live.

[@KrazyKaiser]

This will not stop me from eating box tho.

[@alecfoor2665]

Talking to the Guys, Speak with your Doctor about the HPV vaccination. I personally watched a close friend slowly go from cancer. The fights we’d have just trying to get to the treatments… and even on those hot summer days it would be a cold quiet drive back, with him being unconscious from treatments. I’d find myself assisting more and more as he would decline, eventually helping with everything. We pushed until we were out of air, luck, and eventually told each other goodbye. I got the series a while back and I’m still making babies 👶 👍 this year! Let’s All Beat Cancer!

[@chrisristau8803]

😢sorry you lost your friend 😭 I'm so scared mines going to come back and take me out... I was strong enough for the treatment once but I doubt I could do it again.

[@BenUkMonie]

You are a remarkable physician. I feel blessed to have come your way Dr Obaz. You’ve been a great doctor and friend. Keep doing what you do to help the sick people🧢

[@KAW96]

I'm not ashamed to admit I'm on cancer watch, I had the vaccine in school - it doesn't prevent the 16/18 strands but helps stop it getting too bad. Least in my case. I've had long 3 long relationships since 2012, you don't know who you can trust. The shame needs to stop, so many are non-symptomatic hence people only finding out it developed into cancer waaay to late. Have your pap smears people! *correction - my vaccine didn't protect me from 16/18 even though I was sure it was supposed to. I'm also autistic so explaining things can be difficult ha

[@marley7145]

I had HPV 18 for years and I second this. Get your pap smear if you have the hardware for it!

[@MossyMozart]

@Katie Wilcock - So true. Since nearly 100% of US adults have had HPV, most without knowing it. there's no need for blame. It is just part of the human condition at this point. It is one class of cancer we can eradicate with the vaccine!

[@wolfferoni]

When it comes to HPV it's kinda impossible to trust that people don't have it since most will have some form of it and it doesn't appear in regular STI tests. Getting the vaccine, wearing protection properly, and restricting sexual partners are the only ways to prevent it.

[@RedHeadWolf117]

Your story is super familiar, I've also only had several long term relationships since about 2009. I have p16 and I've had low grade abnormal cells for multiple years now that never cleared. Recently my doctor recommended that I get a cone biopsy to check further. I'm pretty damn nervous. For anyone reading this, having a pap twice a year is NOT too often if you have tested positive for high risk HPV!

[@BexStar-ww5co]

You don’t have to have sex to get HPV.. the wart virus on your hands is a type of HPV ect ect

[@simonsaysism]

I had pre-cancerous cells removed from my cervix just a few months ago. It's incredibly common, but highly treatable if you catch it early! Keep up with your pap smears y'all! Especially if you went through school before the HPV vaccine came out.

[@glacialimpala]

Abnormal cervical cells are more often from hormonal contraception! Info from cervical cancer specialist with 40y of experience who supports vaccines. And yes, get vaccinated asap even if you have some strains - you will still be protected from other ones!

[@toploadtele]

As a 67 year old previousely healthy male, HPV-16 has blown up as base of the tongue throat cancer out of the blue. The road to recovery ain't short, ain't easy, and ain't pretty... With the grace of God, I will survive this cruel disease!

[@threecheeseburrito]

When I was between 16-22, I had a gynecologist who told me they wouldn't give me a pap smear despite my family's history of various cancers including cervical and ovarian cancers, because they said I can't get it until I'm 22. I managed to switch to another gynecologist, and now that I'm 23, I finally was able to get a pap smear. So far, everything looks normal, but endometriosis is also in my family history, and I've had some symptoms when I was younger that could be endo, so it's worth getting checked out, especially because I don't want children in the future with my partner, and it's not worth the pain even if I don't use my eggs.

[@huldu]

Never heard of it until today. I'm guessing it goes by a different name around these parts of the world. I'm just fascinated with how these viruses work, so tiny yet so very, very dangerous. I wonder if mankind will ever get the upper hand or if viruses and diseases will always be one step ahead in some way. There are so many of us that can spread and mutate things, especially these days when we're all connected. I don't even want to imagine if something like covid came around but with a very high lethality rate but takes a month or so before it starts showing symptoms. It would spread around the world until it was noticed.

[@Isaacrl67]

It's the virus family that causes common warts, some forms are an STI. It stands for Human Papillomavirus.

[@johndododoe1411]

The ancient name and first symptom is genital warts (papilomas). Hence the name Human Papiloma Virus. And why its important to vaccinate children before they start touching themselves or get attacked by a rapist that spreads the virus between child victims and prostitutes .

[@dawnsalois]

it was called cervical cancer before they found out the virus was the cause.

[@alixinitalics]

you may know it as herpes! but the medical term is hpv

[@sithwolf8017]

​@@alixinitalics Herpes isn't related to HPV in the slightest.

[@seajelly2421]

Dear Scishow, would you consider covering the recent news about the possibility of sucralose genotoxicity? Thanks.

[@frikativos]

Question: those of us who didn't get the vaccine when we were young, could still get a vaccine in the future? Or the one being developed works on ly on people who already got cancer?

[@soogymoogi]

I got it a couple years ago at 28. It's better if you get it earlier but it's never too late

[@Thedegu]

I got mine at 26! The current max is 45 years old. According to the CDC website

[@personzorz]

They're offering gardasil 9 to anyone under age 45. If you already got the cancer causing strains colonizing you it won't do any good but if you haven't yet it will

[@soogymoogi]

@@IRNoahBody they're a lot less restrictive with who can get it now thankfully

[@itisALWAYSR.A.]

It's complicated and depends where you are and other bits.

[@abberss]

I remember when the HPV vaccine came out and some dipshits were refusing to give it to their kids because they were afraid their kids would become promiscuous afterward.

[@stigmatafan09]

I remember that too

[@leia544]

My religious mum denied it to me…. Now I have hpv

[@bubbeN999]

that is hilarious, but also probably makes a little sense no? I mean when I was a teenager and someone told me there was a "anti-herpes" vaccine I would probably, "take more chances" thus technically become more promiscuous. But yeah, people are weird

[@rainymornings]

​@@bubbeN999That's ridiculous, I got the HPV vaccine at 12 and didn't have sex until I was 20. And even then I have always lived by "The fewer partners someone has had, the better for your health it ends up being".

[@dweebicusmaximus]

@@bubbeN999do you really think teenagers ever think “ah I might get herpes I won’t have sex”? That’s not how teenagers have ever worked. Teenagers do not consider the consequences of the things they do, that’s kind of their whole thing

[@theshadowoftruth7561]

They blamed HPV for my throat cancer. Which was good because it is more curable the cigarette and alcohol cause of throat cancer.

[@mangobutter99999]

So you got it from deep throat?

[@noobgod3216]

​@@mangobutter99999 💀😏🤫🤨😳

[@DeepSeeker2809]

Cool! That was horrifying and I'm gonna be more paranoid now :)

[@AP-nj1mr]

Thanks

[@alexmiles40]

I was too old to get the HPV vaccine. I wished they would have had it when I was young. Good Video. Peace Out.

[@gohotboy]

Suggest you challenge that. You might be able to get it and pay for it yourself.

[@kylekirkparick426]

I never knew exactly how hpv caused cancer. This was interesting and scary at the same time.

[@Loebane]

Oh man I would love to get that shot. I've had a small hpv that I haven't had any luck removing, and it's been there for 20 years or so...

[@StarFox24]

thank you

[@valmardon1183]

Had people around me died from This virus and now me and my gf have it. Hope they find a Cure for it soon.

[@exosproudmamabear558]

Hpv vaccine is very important thing.Most of the cervix cancers caused by hpv and not many even know they have it. Problem in the vaccine is it has limited time to get it. You need to be below 24 years old to have it or the efficiency of it will be lowered significantly. It is extremely expensive in my country since insurance do not cover it. It was years ago before my country get into economic crisis I vaccinated and now prices probably upped 10 times which would be impossible to get right now

[@thomashenden71]

Actually - newer science suggest that it is never too late to get the vaccine, like even if you are 40 years old, it may still protect you, because the immune system will be triggered to remove the HPV virus if it is present.

[@johndododoe1411]

Is 24 years an actual limit or just a statistical age for not trying new lovers anymore?

[@Michael-kp4bd]

@@johndododoe1411 that’s a very good question and important distinction.. i don’t know the answer, but notably the vaccine has been expanded for approval up to age 45.

[@WhirledPeas]

Mama bear, What country do you live in? Sounds like the U S. Sadly.

[@exosproudmamabear558]

@@WhirledPeas It is Turkey. We have various vaccination programs normally but hpv isnt included becasue it is damn expensive and now dolar raised to roof it is both expensive for government and people. For comparison, I got the vaccine for like 1000 liras(1 dollar was 5-6 that time) 6-7 years ago. Now the dollar is 25 I dont know how many liras it would be but I am sure many cant afford it.

[@MrBobbybrown7]

Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't retinoblastoma a specific type of pediatric eye cancer that is almost always fatal unless the affected eye is removed?

[@destinyheath6583]

So glad i stay up with my yearly gynecologist appointment. Actually going next week!!! GET YOUR YEARLY EXAM LADIES. It can literally save your life.

[@rebeccajohnson5658]

I have HPV Activum Postive for higher strains. No Cervical cancer.

[@lunaa8831]

please please get your paps. it can grow at any time. also Cervical cancer can grow slow.

[@rebeccajohnson5658]

@@lunaa8831 I get my paps and HPV once a yeae

[@victoriabarclay3556]

I'm very lucky that after many years my version of HPV went away. it is self-limiting in many versions. but I've recently been told that pap smears are now only approved for testing every 3 years. could be due to my age (over 60).

[@milo0230]

I also had a version of HPV that was non-cancerous and has gone away. I had to get it biopsied every year. And every year, it came back that's non-cancerous and that my body will take care of it on its own. It took many years as well for my body to get rid of it.

[@ladyk2018]

Did you smoke cigarettes

[@lesunchic]

What was your version?

[@darlamccracken4062]

I alwats got my PAP smears regularly and them i didnt go for a couple of years. When i did go, there were abnormal cells, which the dr cut off with a LEEP procedure. Those cells grew back in 3 months like they hadn't even touched it, growing so aggressively that even the insurance company approved a hysterectomy right away ( usually they do the LEEP again a few times but it also is normally a long period of time between the need to do it). I hadmy hysterectomy and had paps once a month for 3 months, once every 3 months for a year, then every 6 months, and since they were all clear, i never have to get another, as i dont have the parts and it is extremely rare to get cancer on vaginal walls. My advice is GET A PAP EVERY YEAR AND DONT SKIP IT EVER

[@johnbolling3025]

So, if someone who already has hpv infected cells were to receive the E5/E6 shot, would it effectively quarantine the infected cells or destroy them from the inside or...?

[@culturebreath369]

At this point our body just sounds like a crazy computer program... 😮

[@erinbyrnes5921]

I heard about the HPV vaccine but didn't know it was fighting a form of cancer. Hope more ways to cure/prevent cancer are developed.

[@Cjorss]

Sort of, the HPV vaccine isn't fighting cancer, it's teaching your immune system how to fight 9 versions (Strains) of the HPV virus, the worst of which causes cancer. The mRNA vaccine he mentioned at the end would teach your immune system how to stop the HPV from causing cancer without necessarily fighting the HPV itself.

[@willemkossen]

When is this new mrna vaccine available and where can i get it?

[@JLocke0113]

That's a cool treatment.

[@911Salvage]

HPV sounds like Honda's new car moniker, probably standing for High Performance Vehicle.

[@BensCoffeeRants]

Sweet, I want an HPV!

[@roberteischen4170]

How does it avoid the immune system though? Like, T cells should see virus proteins being made in the cells and take the cell out.

[@personzorz]

It stays away from blood vessels in the superficial epithelium and damps the MHC some

[@johndododoe1411]

The vaccine trains the immune system to spot HPV . It's like giving soldiers shooting targets that look like foreign enemy #1 .

[@libbynusz2935]

Really glad this video exists. Love SciShow which is why I wanted to provide feedback: this thumbnail is a bit extreme on the clickbait side. I know the youtube algorhthym rewards clickbaity thumbnails but "instant cancer" is sensationally jarring!

[@DeepFleeceheart]

Currently dealing with a very painful and very eager to bleed wart on my thumb...hpv sucks.

[@OgdenM]

I hate to say: Good luck getting rid of it. I've had one on a thumb for like 20 years. It's not painful though and is rather small. ..so small I forget it's there. I've tried freezing it many times both in a doctors office AND at home with the take home stuff. Cut it off with finger nail clippers several times... and the damn thing just grows back. I stopped bothering with it. Just like the 3 planters warts on my foot that also refuse to go away. I hope you have better luck with the one you have on your thumb though since it's painful. But, I think it's one of the strains that will not lead to cancer soo... probably no worries there.

[@abyssal_phoenix]

The HPV vaccine was started to be given to guys recently too, only a few years ago for the first time. I was among the first groups to get it back then, since i was just 17 back then. Lots of guys at first didn't want it though because it always was a girls only vaccine so their "masculinity" felt attacked :')

[@OgdenM]

...giving it to guys was always the plan. I think it was a matter of most need first though. Because, men get it also and men are the ones that give it to women. Vaccinate men and they are less likely to spread it to women.

[@abyssal_phoenix]

@@OgdenM mhm yep

[@twistedsister1216]

I would think that not dying of throat or anal cancer, and making themselves less likely to give HPV to their partners by taking a simple preventative measure is plenty manly, surely?

[@jarskil8862]

​​​@@OgdenM Source for that claim? Women have just as good chance to spread it to men

[@theninja4137]

​@@OgdenM it's also a matter of individual risk vs society risk Yes the society risk is lower if everybody is vaccinated, but unless the individual risk is also lower (there is always a small risk of any medical procedure, even if it is small compared to other everyday risks we readily accept) we can't vaccinate people. Only when it was shown that hetero men also had a net benefit (throat cancer, penile cancer) it was introduced

[@idolevin8795]

I was supposed to get the HPV vaccine with my class when I was 13, but my mom refused to sign the permission slip for the vaccine, by advice of my doctor. If I had gotten sick, I wouldn't have forgiven either of them. I'll try to get vaccinated as soon as I can / should.

[@Abdega]

Do it! Check your local health departments

[@Bella-qw4dw]

please do it before it's too late! i never got the vaccine and was never aware of it.. not until i was diagnosed. please

[@ismailahmad9597]

I'm abstinent until marriage and I got the vaccine. Doctor asked me if I wanted it, my mom was sitting there and said yes. When the doc left I asked my mom why should I bother with this, sounds like it's for an STI? She said it's uneducated to not get vaccinated against everything, insurance covers it anyways. I said whatever and got the vaccine. I'm 27 now and still abstinent. After this video I'm glad I got the vaccine. At the time it seemed stupid to me. But I realize that's probably more ego/arrogance to think "I don't need this vaccine, I'm abstitent."

[@Abdega]

@@ismailahmad9597 it’s still a good idea you got vaccinated against it since it could be on toilet seats or something

[@exiletheexile9856]

I got two of the three shots but aged out of the third’s health insurance coverage and was too poor to pay for it and contracted it.

[@wuweijun]

I hope some researchers develop some interest in the telomerase activation capabilities of HPV though. That’ll advance the field of anti-aging by light years.

[@emil.jansson]

I have never had sex and I will never have sex. Good to know this.

[@orishaeshu1084]

Wack

[@trevorbiltoft2603]

"many versions of this virus" hol' up there's more than one?

[@thebusylilbee]

Oh yes. There are (I think) over 100 types, but not all of them cause health problems, and some cause problems that aren't cancer. There's a select few types that cause most HPV-related cancers. The vaccines we get are aimed at the types that cause Problems!

[@Inamichan]

Over 100 of them 😂😂

[@wheredaboof6492]

There's multiple versions of every virus ever.

[@ImNotInLoveItsJustAGameWeDo]

Apparently according to google there are over 100 different strains of HPV. Some can cause cervical cancer, some cause warts and some don't cause any health problems. It also says most of these problems are caused by types 6, 11, 16 or 18. Scary...🤯 What is even scarier than that is that 90% of men and 80% of women who are $exually active will be exposed to and infected by HPV. So I guess for those of us who haven't been exposed to or infected by HPV, we should be very grateful and thank our lucky stars... because going by those statistics most, actually allow me to correct that, almost ALL of the population has been!🙏🏼

[@Hecarim420]

Every time virus is effecting someone else it's changing a little by random chance but most of those jumps doesn't matter but then once (rather little more, because even "simple" virus is not so simple "structure" after all) it's actually matters and this way you get free trial of Covid 5.0 available around👀ツ ==> In short (:v) with several big enough changed Corona ( it also switching between us and animals) we created effecient enough civilization CORONA machinery for years ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[@user-ub8ht2hq5r]

Как всегда, отличная работа

[@donchaput8278]

So with the MRNA version they are working on it sounds like it can be given to those with existing HPV infections and it would be effective? If that's true it sounds like a huge step in curing viral infections.

[@BensCoffeeRants]

Would be awesome if it worked that way, but I doubt it.

[@conlon4332]

But what does HPV stand to gain from giving its host cancer? Why does it do it?

[@nickfallon4378]

It spreads so easily, so it can replicate. It doesn't give *everyone* cancer immediately. That's all that really matters, from an evolutionary standpoint.

[@johndododoe1411]

The faster the infected cells multiply, the more young virus offspring the virus gets .

[@personzorz]

Cancer isn't the goal, but causing infected cells to divide more often is so that there's more cells spewing out more virus. A few subtypes of the virus just go a little too hard.

[@bubbeN999]

HPV does not know. HPV just does its job so it can pay of student loans, get married and have a HPV family. HPV has no idea what its doing to its host, HPV just works at the "oil refinery" , clueless that its killing its host. oh wait.

[@General12th]

Hi Stefan! SciShow is cooler than cancer.

[@TheSaltyAdmiral]

Here in Norway we introduced mandatory HPV vaccination for girls in 7th grade, the program started in 2009. And in 2022 we had 0, _zero_ cases of cervical cancer. From 2009 - 2017 it was the Gardasil vaccine, and from 2017 it has been the Cervarix vaccine.

[@Loweredexpectationss]

I had some wonky cells that lit up for years but not enough for a LEEP procedure. When I was pregnant, i wondered what my pregnancy/birth would do to these weird, trying to be cancer, cells. I had a suspisikn that it would leave. I dont know where that feeling came from. But sure as s***, i went for my pap a few months later and BOOM- they were gone. I inquired about my feelings, cuz feelings aint science but my doc doubled down and said yea, giving birth had fixed it albeit it was mild. I thought that that was SO cool.

[@88jjmayp]

Very informative, but odd amount of super hero references for a video about cancer

[@Dioss1]

your immune system being super man and bat man is odd?

[@IsmaelLovecraft]

why aren't adults allowed to get the HPV vax?

[@sweetea3272]

You can, you just need a doctor that takes your health seriously.

[@suhrim6666]

Mine didn't.

[@SpicyButterflyWings]

It's not recommended for adults over age 26. I think there's an assumption that at that age, a person has already been exposed to the HPV virus (from sexual activity or otherwise), so it would be significantly less effective. However since everyone's life experiences are different, it might still be worth talking to a doctor about to gauge whether recieving the vaccine is worth it.

[@poponachtschnecke]

Advocate for yourself, and beg if you have to! It's absolutely worth it. Despite already having got HPV, I got the earlier vaccine and the latest one that is effective against more strains, and I feel like it helped my body to learn to recognize the strain that kept trying to give me cancer for nearly 10 years. I haven't tested positive for HPV for something like 7 years now! Feels great!

[@IsmaelLovecraft]

@@sweetea3272 like asking for something I assume mentioning would get me blocked, but whose first name sounds like "Ivan," I can't find such a doctor.

[@terryhollands2794]

Sounds like promising news on the cancer front.

[@JNCressey]

Why is it more connected with cervical cancer and throat cancer rather than causing cancer everywhere? Is that just where the virus is more concentrated in the body, making more chances of it occurring there? Or are those tissues more vulnerable to it for some reason? If the virus is more concentrated there, why is that so? Is it just the site of the infection and it doesn't travel far? or does it somehow find its way there from an infection from anywhere in the body?

[@Ldysith84]

If only insurance companies would approve the vaccine for people older than 25 and I'd get it 🙃

[@user-ic7ww4lo1m]

Consider getting it anyway. You can always appeal an insurance statement or refusal decision. In general it isn't worth it for Insurance Companies to fight appeals and give the green light after the first one. Keep appealing and take it to your policy makers at the state. These things can be changed and you are worth it.

[@brianbrian1769]

Then you deserve it!

[@brianbrian1769]

You all deserve it.

[@OneOddOwl]

I'm not sure where you are located, but I'm in the US and it has been approved up to age 45 now. I've gotten two of the three doses, and my insurance did pay for it! It wouldn't hurt to check with your insurance, just in case.

[@OgdenM]

...huh? What insurance do you have? You might just need pre-authorizion. Insurance frequently is like, "NA, we won't pay for it" with A LOT stuff then a doctor goes, "But I say they need it" and the insurance goes "Fine"

[@f.demascio1857]

mRNA I can hear the RWNJ's already.

[@iomoon3608]

Thanks for scaring me with my hand warts 🙃

[@syriuszb8611]

I have read there is no point in vaccinating against HPV in adults. Is that really so common? It supposed to be STI, but on other hand, everywhere I read it just seem like it even does not matter.

[@LyokoPlaysMC]

My parents never gave me the HPV vaccine. However, I received all three doses last year. I hope a mRNA vaccine is created soon for those who are older and have already been exposed to HPV multiple times. mRNA vaccines are so cool.

[@echofoxtrot2.051]

Until we get super strains of all these viruses. Remember, viruses are one step ahead of scientists at all times. Whenever we create a new vaccine or antibiotic, the organisms will have evolved ways around them within sometimes no time at all.

[@TheoRae8289]

I really hope it gets approval in the near future and it really is good for those of us who've already been infected by those specific strains.

[@DrRiq]

Isn't HPV sexually transmitted too? What's the risk for dudes?

[@OgdenM]

Think about that for a moment. Where do women get HPV from? Men. Vaccines help stop the spread of illness. On top of that, strains are not always site (vaginal, anal, penial or throat / oral specific.) A guy can eat out a vagina and get throat cancer. The risk is pretty darn low.. much less than say a woman sucking penis but still. Also, penis cancer IS a thing. And there are actually over 200 strains of HPV. Only around 40 are considered sexually transmitted. The vaccine protects from most of those.

[@DrRiq]

Was there any other comment? I can't see anything else

[@xCodeXANA]

I was diagnosed with High Risk HPV in September last year. Getting another pap next month to recheck it. But I REFUSE to take that vaccine.

[@petercandance2330]

Even in Adults, there was a small study testing the therapeutic effect(not just prophylactic effect) of the regular HPV vaccine after infection, at 64 percent success rate, if my memory serves me well.

[@user-asdfgh]

I’m considering getting it even though I think I got from my first girlfriend😢

[@Rubrickety]

This is an important warning to Airbnb owners: do NOT leave human cloning equipment in the unit!

[@Merennulli]

Oh sure, NOW you tell me.

[@Sinaeb]

instruction unclear, I now have 50 tenants paying me

[@biblicallyaccurateangel2476]

haha wonderful timing, my mom won’t let me get the hpv vaccine 😅

[@Hotrob_J]

My mom did the same. Highly recommend you get it as soon as you're able to as an adult.

[@daisuke910]

Yup. Head and neck cancer is no fun and the only current treatment is surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. Chance of survival is low

[@Sannidor]

Smart woman, thank God every day for blessing you with responsible parent.

[@Hauketal]

​@@Sannidor Smart as a brick.

[@nicholaslewis8594]

Sannidor, RIP to your kids.

[@edword7195]

I am 45 and a half should I get this you can get up to 46 here in UK if you pay for me it's throat issues would be concerned with as in Scotland its throat hpv seems to impact more than in other places

[@genericalias5756]

Some interesting information: Males (assigned at birth) are not safe either, and it's not just about being a carrier: they are susceptible to head and neck cancers and anal cancers (and penile cancers I think?) While regular pap smears are highly recommended, their accuracy is greatly lacking, hence the emphasis on *regular* screening. HPV tests are significantly better at diagnosing cervical dysplasia (precancer) and cervical cancer but obviously still get your pap smears in addition to testing. In low middle income countries, you are a lot less likely to see pap smears being used, and more likely to see VIA or Visual inspection with Acetic Acid, which uses acetic acid as a visual contrast and an imager or colposcope to look for changes to the cervix to diagnose lesions. Also, even though HeLa cells are probably the most prolific and well studied cell line on Earth, and even though HeLa cells are HPV positive cervical cancer cells, cervical cancer and HPV are still major public health challenges.

[@yank9904]

What's best way to test it for men

[@mykeprior3436]

@@yank9904 doesn't exist.

[@kellylucyglostott918]

This is intended in no way to diminish anyone's experience with HPV or cancer, but... Once I was able to dig under the heavy-handed superhero/villain metaphors of this video, I realized that HPV has developed a novel mechanism for replicating itself. Rather than taking over the DNA machinery to replicate itself (the virus), it takes over the cell division machinery to replicate the cells it inhabits - thus replicating itself. As a biochemistry nerd, I find this fascinating, and wish that Sci Show had focused more on the wonder that a microorganism could find new ways to survive, rather than demonizing the virus.

[@davidaugustofc2574]

Viruses are not alive ever, they can take control of a living cell simply by introducing proteins, that's because cells are controlled by molecules and the right combination will make the cell replicate said molecules. They can't, well they can, making a video praising something false or straight up impossible, but that would be bad for their reputation and wouldn't be useful for anyone.

[@psalm91rdwlkfpgrl]

sometimes people need things like this to be demonized in order to understand the severity of it, though. just hearing about how it works won't necessarily help people understand how dangerous it can be. humans need stories. however, I'm glad you're able to appreciate the wonder of how this virus works. i agree that it's fascinating 🙂

[@dweebicusmaximus]

…you’re aware one of the show’s hosts currently has cancer right?

[@davidaugustofc2574]

You're not a biochemistry nerd, else you would know viruses aren't living beings, you're just weird.

[@alee111]

​@@dweebicusmaximusforget the host, what about all the people suffering from this type of cancer and other forms of cancer? OP comment is tasteless.

[@marccracchiolo4935]

What someone needs to mention is warts (not necessarily HPV warts though I don’t see why not) r transmitted by filthy conditions & contaminated items. Not as common but still a mode of transmission.

[@dickbutte9471]

all warts are HPV warts, most HPV strains are largely harmless it can live in non-filthy conditions too (I got a plantar wart from using a perfectly clean hotel shower) especially with regard to the genital variety of warts, we need to stop perpetuating the notion that only "filthy" people can get them. You can't tell if someone's a carrier just by looking at them, and having HPV doesn't mean you're a filthy person

[@OgdenM]

Uh, warts are also HPV. There are over 200 strains of HPV. Not all cause warts.. all cause abnormal cell growth which warts fall under. Some of the abnormality is super subtle and has to be looked at under magnification to find. Not all 200+ strains cause cancer (only like 13 are considered to be high risk for cancer.) And actually, the VAST majority of people are exposed to the vast majority of strains of HPV. Just most people never have symptoms. I've had 2 strains of HPV that cause warts since I was a kid. Used to have 3 (one that caused them on my inner arm) but that one seems to have cleared up. Sadly the planters warts and the weird one on my thumb haven't.

[@DrOscarPacheco]

Another success story. It is always good to see things happening in animation. Real life? Not so happy!...

[@justaguy6216]

Great, cancer creating virus. Great info to while having my morning coffee.

[@jaded9087]

If you dont have HPV as an adult why wont doctors still vaccinate for it ? . I got out of a 20 year marriage a few years ago , Made sure my ex husband did not leave me with some nasty parting gifts and had my full std/sti test and bloods done ... clean bill of health. So i ask my gp can i be vaccinated because ive gone this long without getting any std/sti's , im kind of looking at where a new relationship is heading , ive gone back on to birth control yet still using protection , he is being tested too. Can i protect myself from hpv with the vaxs. No , apparently its so common that its not worth protecting people that have come up clean and have avoided it for almost 50 years . Why put me in the line of fire now ? They only give it to kids ... because they may not have been exposed to it , well when i was asking for the vaxs , i had not either. Turned out that new relationship , he told me he came up all clear and we stopped using condoms only for him to tell me aftet we had unportected sex , he had hpv all along . This could of been avoided and now im just waiting to see if im a ticking cancer time bomb, and im not willing to even concider entering in to a relationship untill ive have 3 paps smears spaning over 5 years each test now because i dont know if this guy gave me hpv . Its a wait and see if your cervix gets cancer .. i dont want to expose anyone to it as being lied to about this has crushed me and any faith i have in moving on to try to find love again. Im giving myself 15 years to make sure im not the hpv version of typhoid Mary. By that time , whats the point anyways im going to be in my mid 60s . Its a spinsters life for me because they wont protect adults . I am voluntary celibate untill i know for sure what the damage is. Its to earily to see atm apparantly but i could still pass it around. Im not going to be that ass hole that lied to me and did not care if he was spreading diseases.