HPV is mainly spread through sexual contact but can be spread through other activities like sharing razors.  The HPV virus does not cause any symptoms in most cases. Many do not know they have one of the cancer-causing strains of HPV until they experience a symptom of the cancer itself.  HPV can lie dormant for many years until it finally leads to cancer. When the HPV virus finally does attack, it can cause warts or precancerous lesions to develop on the skin or mucous membranes (i.e the cervix). If caught in time, the lesions can be removed before they spread.

How do we prevent cancer caused by HPV? It is best to avoid activities that will increase the risk of exposure to HPV. Unprotected sex and sharing razors should be avoided. Women who have had sexual intercourse should have a yearly pap smear and examine to ensure no cancerous cells are found on the cervix. There are vaccines available to prevent infection by the HPV virus. However, note that these vaccines may not contain protection against all of the cancer-causing strains of HPV. For example, one vaccine may contain protection against the strain of HPV that causes cervical cancer but not against the strain that causes head and neck cancer. 

It is also important to eat a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables (which contain phytochemicals that fight cancer).  Eating properly and utilizing nutritional supplements when necessary is key to cancer prevention and maybe even cancer treatment. Research has shown since the 1930s that the number one cause of death in cancer patients in starvation. In fact properly nourished cancer victims outlive their malnourished counterparts. For this reason, proper nutrition and supplementation is an important part of the prevention and treatment of cancer.