An HPV-positive result is very common and does not necessarily mean you have cervical cancer. For most people (90% of cases), your immune system will clear the HPV infection without any treatment within 2 years. But in some cases (those remaining 10%), the HPV infection can persist. If an HPV infection goes without follow-up care for many years, it can cause abnormal cell changes that can lead to cervical cancer over time.
Only a very small percentage of HPV infections lead to abnormal cell changes requiring treatment
When HPV persists untreated, it takes about 5–10 years for HPV-infected cervical cells to develop into precancers*, and around 10 years to develop from precancer into cervical cancer. However, cervical cell changes are easier to treat when they are identified early, and cervical cancer can be prevented entirely.
This is why it is important to schedule a follow-up telehealth appointment with a Teal provider if you have received abnormal results. Your Teal provider will answer any questions about your results and refer you for necessary follow-up care so that we can help make sure you stay healthy. The main goal of screening is to make sure that even if you have persistent HPV, we treat it early and prevent cancer – this means screening and completing any necessary follow-up care.
Read more about the different ways HPV can show up in your body, and how this can change over time.
*Cervical precancer is also known as cervical dysplasia. It refers to abnormal cell changes in the cervix, which are almost always caused by persistent HPV infections. If left untreated for many years, precancer can develop into cervical cancer.