While preparing for tomorrow's show on HPV, I came across some shocking statistics. Perhaps most shocking of all was this: 75-80 percent of sexually-active adults will have been infected with HPV before the age of 50. Why is this important? Because HPV can potentially put you at risk for many cancers, including cervical and oral cancers. In fact, HPV is now the leading cause of oral cancer -- after smoking and sun exposure. This is a huge wake up call, and it applies to more of you than you may realize.
The scary truth is that many women don't know they have HPV. You may believe you aren't at risk anymore if you're married or in a monogamous relationship. This simply isn't true. The disease may lay dormant in your system for years, and it's not possible to track your exact time of exposure. But it's not all doom and gloom. There are things you can do to arm yourself against HPV.
The first step is always knowledge. Tune in to my show tomorrow to learn more about HPV and the important tests you must talk to your doctor about. You'll be surprised to hear you may need more than just a PAP test.
After the show, I'll join Alicia Menendez on HuffPost Live with a couple of experts to talk to you about HPV and the best ways to protect yourself. You can go to the segment anytime and leave a comment or question. Join us at 5:30 p.m. EST and we'll take your questions -- and give you the answers that just may save your life.
If you're left wanting to learn more, you can always check out Sharecare's HPV portal, where you'll find the Top 10 HPV Q&As. You can even quiz yourself to see how much you already know.
You can also join our live chat about HPV tomorrow from the Sharecare portal. When it comes to your health, knowledge is power, and it can save lives. I can't urge you enough to take part in this very special event.
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