Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is the world’s most common sexually transmitted infection (STI), affecting both men and women. Despite being so common, there is a lot of confusion about what it means for your health. At Derma Clinic Kathmandu, we want to give you clear, straightforward facts about HPV—from genital warts to its link with cancer—and explain who needs testing.
What Exactly is HPV?
HPV is not a single entity but a family of over 200 related viruses. Most people who are sexually active will get HPV at some point in their lives, and often the body’s immune system clears the infection on its own. However, certain types of the virus can persist and cause health problems.
It’s been broadly categorized into two groups:
- Low-Risk HPV: These strains cause visible health issues like genital warts. HPV types 6 and 11 are the most common culprits. While the appearance of these cauliflower-like bumps can be distressing, it is vital to know that these strains do not cause cancer. But they can spread rapidly and multiply in numbers so visit Derma Clinic Kathmandu to consult dermatologists and treat is soon as possible.
- High-Risk HPV: Medical experts identify about 14 “high-risk” or oncogenic strains, meaning they can cause cancer. Specifically, HPV types 16 and 18 are the most dangerous, causing about 70% of all cervical cancers. These high-risk strains also lead to cancers of the vulva, vagina, anus, penis, and oropharynx (back of the throat).
The key danger with high-risk HPV is its silence. It produces no symptoms while it potentially causes abnormal cellular changes that can, over many years, progress to cancer.
For Women: Why HPV Screening is a Non-Negotiable Lifesaver
For women, the message is clear and urgent: regular screening for high-risk HPV is one of the most powerful preventative health measures you can take. We can almost entirely prevent cervical cancer if we detect and treat it in its early, precancerous stages.
Why is screening so critical?
- Early Detection is Everything: We don’t design screening to find cancer; we design it to find the precancerous cellular changes that high-risk HPV causes. By identifying these changes early, our dermatologists can recommend treatments to remove them, effectively stopping cancer before it ever has a chance to develop.
- Symptoms are a Late Sign: High-risk HPV infections are invisible. You cannot see or feel them. By the time symptoms of cervical cancer appear, the disease is already in a more advanced stage. Screening finds the risk long before it becomes a life-threatening reality.
- The Gold Standard: HPV DNA Testing: While the Pap smear has saved countless lives, health experts now consider the HPV DNA test the gold standard in screening. This highly accurate test, available here at Derma Clinic Kathmandu, directly detects the genetic material of the high-risk HPV strains. It provides definitive answers, offering profound peace of mind with a negative result or a clear path forward for management if the test detects a high-risk strain.
For women in Nepal, particularly those over 30, regular screening is not just a suggestion—it’s your best defence against cervical cancer.
For Men: A More Complex Picture
Our dermatologists hear this question frequently: “If HPV causes cancer, do men need to get an HPV DNA test?” The answer, currently, is NO.
At present, leading health organizations do not recommend routine HPV DNA testing for men as a general cancer screening tool. There are several reasons for this:
- No Approved Test for General Screening: While we can test for HPV in men, there isn’t an approved screening strategy for penile or throat cancers in the same way we have for cervical cancer.
- Challenges with Diagnosis: A positive HPV test in a man tells us the virus is present, but it doesn’t reliably predict the future risk of developing cancer. The immune system will clear most of these temporary infections without causing any harm.
- Focus on Symptoms and High-Risk Groups: For men, the focus is on clinical examination and Treatment. Men should see a doctor if they notice any abnormal growths, sores, or changes on their penis, scrotum, or in the anal or throat region and visit for treatment of wart to stop spreading.
So, when should a man visit the clinic?
While routine cancer screening via HPV testing isn’t standard for men, visiting Derma Clinic Kathmandu is crucial if you:
- See or feel genital warts.
- Notice any new or unusual growths, sores, or bumps on your genitals, anus, or mouth.
- Know your partner has a diagnosis of HPV or genital warts.
Our experienced dermatologists can provide a thorough examination, accurate diagnosis, and effective treatment for genital warts, giving you clarity and resolving the issue.
How do you treat HPV Wart?
Derma Clinic Offers Treatment of wart with various methods like Electrocautery , Liquid nitrogen Cryotherapy, Chemical Cautery and more. Visit Us for Price for wart removal as price depends upon number, size, area and treatment method used.
What is the Cost of HPV DNA Testing?
We offer 3 HPV DNA Testing:
HPV DNA Screening: This PCR-based test detects the presence of human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA in a sample, typically from cervical cells, to identify an HPV infection. Result will show Positive or Negative Result. Costs Rs 4500
HPV DNA Genotyping: This PCR-based test identifies the specific high-risk types of human papillomavirus (HPV) present in a sample. It helps determine if a high-risk HPV type, associated with an increased risk of cervical cancer, is present, and if so, which specific type(s). Cost Rs 6000
HPV DNA PCR (Quantitative):This PCR-based test molecular diagnostic test that detects and quantifies the amount of human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA in a sample. It is used to monitor viral load over time. Cost Rs: 8000
Got More Questions on Genital Wart? Find out more HERE:
Your Health, Our Priority: A Unified Approach at Derma Clinic Kathmandu
Worrying about your sexual health can feel isolating. At Derma Clinic Kathmandu, we provide a professional, confidential, and judgment-free environment for everyone.
Whether you are a woman seeking a life-saving HPV DNA screening test or a man concerned about genital warts, we have the expertise and advanced technology to provide the answers and treatment you need.
Don’t let uncertainty or fear dictate your health. Take control.
Visit Derma Clinic Kathmandu today for your confidential consultation. Let us provide you with the clarity to move forward and the care you deserve.