The human papilloma virus is the primary cause of cervical cancer in women and oral and genital tumors in men.

HPV is usually passed from one person to another through sexual intercourse.

In US about 10000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer every year and about 40% die. It is the fourth cause of death among women.

At least half the sexually active population is eventually infected with HPV at some stage in life.

Immunization is the best way to avoid the disease. Boys and girls should be immunized after the age of 10-11 years, as should women even if they have already been sexually active for some time. The vaccine protects men against forms of anal, genital and oral cancer and reduces their chances of transmitting infection.

In Australia where a vaccination campaign has been underway for 10 years the disease is expected to disappear in the next 5 years.