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Human papillomaviruses (HPV) are a family of viruses that infect the epithelium of many parts of the body. Persistent infection with high-risk HPV is necessary but insufficient to cause cervical cancer. High-risk HPV types are increasingly recognized as a risk factor for cancers other than cervical cancer. A large proportion of vulvar, vaginal, anal, penile, and oropharyngeal cancers are associated with HPV. Low-risk HPV types cause genital warts. Recent advancement in the prevention of HPV infection, genital warts, and HPV-associated precancers and cancers include vaccination. Until the full potential of vaccination can be attained, cervical cancer screening remains an important component of prevention.

Gardasil, a vaccine against human papillomavirus (HPV), recently became available in the United States for use in girls and women 9 to 26 years of age. A second HPV vaccine, Cervarix, is under development. These vaccines constitute the most significant development in cervical cancer prevention in the last 60 years, having the potential to reduce the incidence of cervical cancer by up to 70%