human papillomavirus

Virus responsible for the common wart. It is one of a group of viruses implicated in tumour formation and is believed to play an important part in triggering cervical cancer that is the second most common cancer worldwide; it is also linked with cancer of the anus, which is very rare. Vaccines are being developed against HPV. A vaccine that protects from certain strains of HPV believed to cause the majority of cervical cancers became available in 2006.

From April 2007, the Australian government began offering this vaccine free of charge to all women aged 12 to 26.