Reference summary — not medical advice or a personal risk estimate.
Human papillomavirus (high-risk types)
Quick answer
Classified as Group 1 — carcinogenic to humans, based on sufficient evidence in humans. Infection. Spread through sexual contact; most adults are exposed at some point. Risk is substantially reduced by HPV vaccination given in adolescence under national immunisation programmes.
Summary
A sexually transmitted virus that causes nearly all cervical cancers and many other genital and throat cancers. Risk is substantially reduced by vaccination.
Detail
High-risk HPV types (notably HPV 16 and 18) are Group 1 with sufficient evidence for cancers of the cervix, vulva, vagina, anus, penis and oropharynx. WHO recommends HPV vaccination as part of routine immunisation; the recommended age window varies by country but is generally before sexual debut. Catch-up vaccination is offered into early adulthood in many national programmes.
What's not established
This classification is based on sufficient evidence in humans that this factor can cause cancer. It does not establish a safe exposure threshold, your personal risk, or how this factor's risk compares in size to other Group 1 agents — hazard classifications are not ranked by magnitude.
Regional relevance
global
Evidence sources
Every claim on this page traces back to one of these. Click through to read the primary document yourself.
Primary sources
NCI
NCI — Risk Factors: Infectious Agents
IARC
IARC Monographs — Classifications by Cancer Site, Vols 1–140
Supporting sources
ECDC
ECDC — Communicable diseases and cancer risk (European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control)
Canadian Cancer Society
Canadian Cancer Society — Reduce your risk
ACS
ACS — Known and Probable Human Carcinogens
Cancer Research UK
Cancer Research UK — Causes of cancer and reducing your risk
IARC / WHO — European Code Against Cancer
European Code Against Cancer (5th edition) — 14 ways you can help prevent cancer
NTP
NTP — Report on Carcinogens (US National Toxicology Program)
Cancer Council Australia
Cancer Council Australia — Causes of cancer
Last reviewed: October 2026
Official reference list
A government list some readers use alongside the primary evidence. Meyron is not affiliated with it. A chemical being listed does not by itself describe a risk from any particular product.
- California Prop 65 list
State of California's list of chemicals known to cause cancer or reproductive harm.