Though STD awareness should be an all-year campaign, April was STD Awareness Month.

When I read and think STD, the first thing that comes to my mind is human papilloma virus (HPV) and cervical cancer.


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Where do women get HPV? Through genital contact, from your sexual partner.

From CDC:

Genital HPV is passed on through genital contact, most often during vaginal and anal sex. A person can have HPV even if years have passed since he or she had sex. Most infected persons do not realize they are infected or that they are passing the virus to a sex partner.

While the men should really be tested too if they have HPV, the focus has always been more on women. Take note: the men get HPV too and they suffer genital warts and caner too due to HPV, much like women are.

In women (young and old), it is important to think of getting a cervical cancer vaccine (i.e. Merck's Gardasil), submit themselves to regular cervical cancer screening such as, then pap smear and now, The Digene HPV Test. Most especially sexually active women.

I don't want to rant on why men aren't being tested like women are regarding HPV, but I would like to say that there is nothing wrong if women are given the chance to take charge of their health and sexuality. So I say we do the all the works necessary and let us empower ourselves to doing the right choice, be it in our sexual lives or otherwise.

Over at my cancer blog, Cancer Commentary - I am running a Take The Test HPV Awareness Bracelet contest. Hop on over and spread the word please. Thanks a lot!