Myth Busters
Watch our expert doctors bust some of the common HPV-related myths.
Popular Myths
Myth E. There is only one type of HPV and you know when you have it.
Myth Buster Video by Dr. Judith Smith, University of Texas, McGovern Medical School
Myth F: I always insist on using a condom so I am not at risk of HPV.
Myth Buster Video by Dr. Judith Smith, University of Texas, McGovern Medical School
Myth V: I just found that I have HPV.This means my partner cheated me and I have proof.
Myth Buster Video by Dr. Stephanie Blank, Mt. Sinai Hospital, Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Science
HPV Vaccine
Myth C. The safety of the HPV vaccine is unproven. The vaccine could be the cause of the virus. It can also lead to neurological disorders, infertility and even cancer. Getting the vaccine is just not worth the risk.
Myth Buster Video by Dr. Aragones, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Myth B. If you didn’t get the HPV vaccine as a teenager, you missed your window. There no longer any benefit from the vaccination.
Myth Buster Video by Dr. Aragones, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Myth D. The HPV vaccine only benefits women and girls. There is no reason for men or boys to get it.
Myth Buster Video by Dr. Aragones, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
For Women
Myth S: If I had a pep smear 2 weeks ago and haven’t heard back from gynecologist, I shouldn’t worry about it. It means everything is fine and I am clear until my next exam in a year.
Myth Buster Video by Dr. Stephanie Blank, Mt. Sinai Hospital, Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Science
Myth T: If I had a normal Pap smear, it means that I definitely don’t have an HPV-associated cancer.
Myth Buster Video by Dr. Stephanie Blank, Mt. Sinai Hospital, Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Science
Myth U: Once I’ve had my HPV vaccination, I don’t need to worry about get an annual Pap test.
Myth Buster Video by Dr. Stephanie Blank, Mt. Sinai Hospital, Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Science
Myth Y: I don’t need to worry about getting an annual Pap test because I’ve had the same sexual partner for many years.
Myth Buster Video by Dr. Stephanie Blank, Mt. Sinai Hospital, Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Science
Myth X: My husband and I both have HPV so I must have given it to him since men can’t infect their partner.
Myth Buster Video by Dr. Stephanie Blank, Mt. Sinai Hospital, Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Science
For Moms
Myth I: I don’t need to worry about vaccinating my children until they are sexually active, so I can just wait until they are in their late teens.
Myth Buster Video by Dr. Fatma Levent, Advent Health Medical Group
Myth J: I don’t need to vaccinate my son. The vaccine is only given to girls.
Myth Buster Video by Dr. Fatma Levent, Advent Health Medical Group
Myth K: If I vaccinate my kids, they will wind up engaging in sexual activity earlier and that’s not something I want to encourage.
Myth Buster Video by Dr. Fatma Levent, Advent Health Medical Group
Myth H: I didn’t vaccinate my children in their early teens and now they are older and sexually active. Therefore, it’s too late for me to vaccinate them now.
Myth Buster Video by Dr. Fatma Levent, Advent Health Medical Group
Myth L: I don’t need to bring up the HPV vaccination with my pediatrician. They will tell me about it if they think my kids should get the vaccine.
Myth Buster Video by Dr. Fatma Levent, Advent Health Medical Group
HPV-Associated Cancers
Myth O: HPV causes cancer by immediately entering your cells and making them replicate uncontrollably.
Myth Buster Video by Dr. Paul Romesser, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Myth P: If someone has HPV, then the only cancer they really need to worry about is cervical cancer. Other HPV-associated cancers are rare and curable.
Myth Buster Video by Dr. Paul Romesser, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Myth Q: No one really knows what causes the so called “HPV-related” cancers. There is no proof that these cancers are really caused by HPV. It’s just a guess.
Myth Buster Video by Dr. Paul Romesser, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Myth R: Only women need to worry about HPV-related cancers. There is no reason for men to be concerned.
Myth Buster Video by Dr. Paul Romesser, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Myth N: When it comes to HPV-associated cancers such a cervical cancer, are there any noticeable health disparities between people of color or the economically disadvantaged and the general population?
Myth Buster Video by Dr. Shannon Christy, Moffitt Cancer Center
Anal Cancer
Myth Z: If I have rectal bleeding, it must be hemorrhoids so I shouldn’t worry about it too much.
Myth Buster Video by Dr. Anne Lin, UCLA School of Medicine
Myth A: A digital rectal exam (“DRE”) is painful and unnecessary.
Myth Buster Video by Dr. Anne Lin, UCLA School of Medicine
Myth AB: If I had a colonoscopy within the last 2 years, I don’t need to be concerned if I have rectal bleeding.
Myth Buster Video by Dr. Anne Lin, UCLA School of Medicine
Myth AC: Anal cancer is so rare that I don’t need to worry about it. There is nothing that puts me at risk.
Myth Buster Video by Dr. Anne Lin, UCLA School of Medicine
Nutritional Supplements
Myth G: There have not been clinical studies on any nutritional supplements that would show that they can help expedite the clearance of the HPV infection.
Myth Buster Video by Dr. Judith Smith, University of Texas, McGovern Medical School
