Cervical Cancer Series 17: Common Myths About Cervical Cancer
“If you have HPV, you will eventually get cancer.” “If you have had the HPV vaccine, you no longer need cervical cancer screening.” “If you have had few sexual partners, you do not need to worry about cervical cancer.” “Once you reach menopause, you can stop cervical cancer screening.” These statements may sound convincing, but many do not reflect what medical evidence actually shows. Misconceptions like these can have real consequences. They may cause unnecessary anxiety after a positive HPV test, or they may create a false sense of security that leads someone to delay recommended screening. Cervical cancer is one of the cancers whose development is relatively well understood, and many cases can be prevented through HPV vaccination and appropriate screening. Rather than relying on fear, assumptions, or information found online, it is important to understand what is supported by evidence. Here are some of the most common myths about HPV and cervical cancer—and what we actually kn...