Kota Kinabalu: Most people infected with human papillomavirus(HPV), the most common sexually transmitted infection(STI), don’t even know they have the disease, making it easier to spread.

“Young adults who are sexually active are at higher risk for infection with HPV which can cause various types of cancers in both men and women,” said Dr Hanisah binti Mohd Siddig, Medical Officer of the National Cancer Council (Makna). Speaking at the Men’s Health Awareness Talk, she warned that although a majority of HPV infections are asymptomatic and resolve on its own, persistent infections can develop into anogenital warts, precancers and cervical, anogenital or base of the tongue and tonsils(oropharynx) cancers in women and men.