Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a virus with more than 100 strains that is transmitted by skin-to-skin contact. Some strains are transmitted sexually; some sexually transmitted strains of HPV can lead to cervical and other kinds of cancer. These strains are referred to as high risk, but they do not cause leukemia. Leukemia is a type of cancer that affects the blood or bone marrow. There are several different kinds of leukemia.
HPV
HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. People with HPV often have no symptoms, and most people will experience no negative health effects from HPV. Some people with HPV will develop genital warts; the strains that cause genital warts are called low risk, none of these strains cause leukemia.
Cervical Cancer
High-risk strains of HPV can lead to cancer in some people. Men with high-risk HPV are at risk for anal and penile cancers, but these are very rare. Women are at risk for cervical cancer, and much less commonly anal, vaginal and vulval cancer; these strains do not cause leukemia. A Pap test, as part of a regular gynecological exam, can find cervical cell changes early; these cell changes can be tested for cancer and treated.
Transmission and Prevention
HPV is transmitted through skin-to-skin contact with an infected person. Sexually transmitted HPV is transmitted most commonly through vaginal and anal sex. The best way to prevent getting HPV, and all sexually transmitted infections, is to avoid all sexual activity, including skin-to-skin genital contact. If you are sexually active, you can reduce your risk for transmission by reducing your number of partners and using a latex or polyurethane condom with each sex act. A vaccine is available to protect women against four strains of HPV, two that lead to cervical cancer, two that lead to genital warts.
Leukemia
There are several types of leukemia: childhood leukemia, acute lymphocytic leukemia, acute myeloid leukemia, chronic lymphocytic leukemia and chronic myeloid leukemia. Childhood leukemia accounts for one in three of the cancers in children, according to the American Cancer Society. The cause of childhood leukemia is not known, but there is no suspected link to HPV.
Lymphocytic Leukemia
Both acute and chronic lymphocytic leukemia start in white bloods cells called lymphocytes in the bone marrow. Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) grows quickly while chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) grows slowly. The exact cause of either disease is not known but exposure to radiation, particular chemicals and certain viruses (HPV not included), inherited syndromes, race and gender are considered risk factors for ALL. Chemical exposure, family history and race are risk factors for CLL. HPV is not a risk factor for leukemia and is not linked to lymphatic leukemia.
Myeloid Leukemia
Acute and chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) cause cancer in blood forming cells, other than lymphocytes. Acute myeloid leukemia grows quickly; the cause of this cancer is not known but smoking, chemical exposure, radiation exposure, blood disorders, congenital syndromes and gender and all considered risk factors. Chronic myeloid leukemia grows slowly; it is now believed that CML is caused by changes in genes that cause a new chromosome called the Philadelphia chromosome to be created. The Philadelphia chromosome is found in the leukemia cells of most people who have CML. This new chromosome leads to a new gene which creates a protein that causes the cells to grow and reproduce more quickly than normal; this is cancer. Risk factors for CML are radiation exposure, race and gender. HPV is not a risk factor for leukemia and is not linked to myeloid leukemia.
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