Merck officials said they decided to run the new commercials because market research the company conducted last year showed that while 85 percent of parents were familiar with HPV, only 50 percent were aware of its link to cancer.

Martina Navratilova's diagnosis shines light on HPV-related cancers. Here's what to know. HPV is the most common STI. While most people clear the infection easily, it turns into cancer in others.

Michael Douglas Douglas said the cause was human papillomavirus (HPV) he caught from giving oral sex. HPV, a very common sexually transmitted virus, is the No. 1 cause of throat cancers and can lead to tongue cancers. After radiation and chemotherapy, Douglas is now healthy.

"Having HPV is nothing to be ashamed or embarrassed about. 8 in 10 people will have HPV in their lifetime. In most people the immune system will get rid of the virus without it causing any problems." If you have questions or concerns about your HPV diagnosis, speak with a trusted healthcare professional.

HPV prevalence The global prevalence of HPV infection in women with normal cytology is around 11-12%, with the highest prevalences in sub-Saharan Africa (24%), Eastern Europe (21%) and Latin America (16%).

Most people infected with HPV do not develop any symptoms or health problems from the virus because the body's immune system is able to fight off the infection. “For the overwhelming majority of people, having an HPV infection has no impact on their lives,” Dr. Cullins says.

HPV Very Rarely Becomes Cervical Cancer While HPV does cause cervical cancer, the risk of developing cervical cancer from the virus is still quite low. For 90 percent of women with HPV, the condition will clear up on its own within two years.

Don't panic. HPV is so prevalent that nearly all sexually active men and women get it at some point in their lives.

More than 90 percent of sexually active men and 80 percent of sexually active women will be infected with HPV in their lifetime. Around 50 percent of HPV infections involve certain high-risk types of HPV, which can cause cancer.

HPV can clear up naturally – as there is no cure for the underlying HPV infection, the only way to get rid of HPV is to wait for the immune system to clear the virus naturally.

In most cases (9 out of 10), HPV goes away on its own within two years without health problems. But when HPV does not go away, it can cause health problems like genital warts and cancer. Genital warts usually appear as a small bump or group of bumps in the genital area.

HPV is a STI that can transmit during sex. Having HPV does not mean a person cannot date or engage in sexual activity. However, they may wish to take precautions or disclose they have HPV to sexual partners.