Any women aged 25 to 64, single or married, should have regular Pap test. Women aged 64 or above who have reached menopause, and are not sure if they need a Pap test or not, need to consult a specialist. Any women who have had sex should have regular Pap test, especial those who are aged 25 or above.

For non-high-risk women, it is suggested that they schedule another Pap test the following year if the results of the first test is normal. With two consecutive normal results, the Pap test can be done every three years until the age of 65. For high risk people, pap test should be done once every year.

It is possible. According to a study done with young women in the U.S and the U.K. (including university students), there is still 50% chance of HPV infection in the first 5 years of having sexual behavior even though they have only a single sexual partner. The reason is that HPV is a very common virus that can be easily transmitted. There is a possibility of infection even for a single close skin contact. Besides, it is hard to understand the history of sexual behavior of one's sexual partner.

In about 70% of new cases of HPV infection, including oncogenic types infection, women can be recovered within a year. Only persistent infection will develop into CIN and cervical cancer. Therefore, HPV is one of the factors that causes cervical cancer but not the only one factor.

According to Hong Kong Department of Health, cervical pre-cancer is common in women below the age of 25, representing 7.1%, the highest among different age groups. Dr. Lo Wing Kit, an O&G specialist, pointed out that Hong Kong women have their first sexual behavior at about the age of 20. Ten years after that, some of them may develop cervical pre-cancer, at the ages between 30 and 40. But another study shows that the age of having first sexual behaviour is becoming smaller, leading to a higher chance of cervical pre-cancer at women aged 24 or below. Thus, not only women aged between 40 and 55 have a higher chance of having cervical cancer, but also those aged between 20 and 30.

Up to now, there is no effective way of curing HPV infection and prevention does play a key role.

Basically, HPV can be transmitted through different sexual intercourse. HPV infection usually occurred through direct skin or sexual organs contact during vaginal and anal sex. Oral sex or contact with female reproductive organs by hand will also have a chance of HPV infection.

Most genital HPV infections are basically transmitted through sexual intercourse. Yet, some research results suggest that a few of genital HPV infection may be transmitted through other ways, such as, contact with contaminated objects.

The efficacy of HPV vaccine is especially effective to women who have never had sex before. Thus, it is suitable for female who do not have sexual experience. For those who are sexually active, vaccine can still provide you with certain immune response against HPV infection, please contact your family doctor for details.

In general, it is recommended that female should receive HPV vaccination before having sex because it is most effective for female who did not have previous HPV infection and minimize the risk of having cervical cancer. Many countries has already launched immunization program for teenagers of 12 and 13. Dr. Lo Wing Kit, an O&G specialist, pointed out that teenagers in Hong Kong may have sex experience as early as they are 10 and cervical pre-cancer may appear at the age of 20. Thus, vaccine should be given to teenagers aged 11 and 12, at the time before having sex. A single close skin contact may cause HPV infection and thus early vaccination can provide a more effective way of protection.

Yes. That is because the vaccine effectively prevents persistent HPV 16 and 18 infections, which is the main factor causing cervical cancer, and thus reduce the chance of developing cervical cancer.

Yes. That is because the vaccine effectively prevents persistent HPV 16 and 18 infections, which is the main factor causing cervical cancer, and thus reduce the chance of developing cervical cancer.

HPV vaccine is for the prevention of viral infection. In other words, it can protect women from future HPV infection but not cure HPV infection before vaccination.

5.5 years is the time that drug company spent on the clinical research. According to experts, new vaccine may maintain the immune response against HPV infection for 30 to 50 years. Thus, no booster is needed.

No, it is not necessary. The purpose of HPV vaccination is to protect you from future infection. HPV DNA test will just let you know whether you have infected with HPV. No matter the result is positive or negative; it will not tell the chance of future infection.

No, it is not necessary. The purpose of HPV vaccination is to protect you from future infection. HPV DNA test will just let you know whether you have infected with HPV. No matter the result is positive or negative; it will not tell the chance of future infection.

Pap test is used to check the presence of any abnormal cells due to previous infection. (usually for years or at least half year ago). If you have regular pap test, there is no need to do a test before vaccination. But if you have never done a pap test, grasp this opportunity to do once.

Cervical cancer vaccine is basically safe. Possible side effects are similar to the common ones that other vaccines may have, for example, rash, fever and headache. Before more details are known, the vaccine is not recommended for expecting women. Those who have had shown side effects after vaccination need to consult a specialist.

Cervical cancer vaccine is not recommended for expecting women. If a woman is found pregnant after vaccination, she needs to stop further vaccination and check if she and the fetus are affected. She needs to consult a specialist concerning whether to continue with the vaccination after giving birth.

Initial researches have shown that the vaccine does not pose negative effects on pregnant women and babies. Therefore a pregnant woman needs to consult a specialist regarding stopping further vaccination, but not terminating the pregnancy.

There is no conclusion for the time being. Although negative effects have not been proved so far, but contraception measures are recommended until the third dose of vaccination is finished.

Regular Pap test is the best means monitoring abnormal cell changes in the cervix. No matter a woman has HPV vaccination or not, one should have regular Pap test, safe sex and avoid smoking. Cervical cancer vaccine does not prevent all kinds of HPV infections; there is still 20%-30% of chance of getting other HPV related cancers. The Pap test plays a vital role in discovering cervical pre-cancer.

The effectiveness of male's vaccination needs to be proved. Since it sis possible that boys and adult male are infected with HPV, searches are still being conducted to find out if they can possibly prevent HPV infection. In general, it is rare that men develop penis cancer and anal cancer because of HPV infection.