evidence: Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection can be spread by skin-to-skin contact, often through vaginal, anal, or oral sex. While many HPV infections are eventually cleared by the body’s immune system, certain types of HPV can cause cancers of the cervix, vagina, vulva, penis, anus, or back of the throat. HPV vaccination, combined with regular cervical cancer screenings, can reduce the risk of cervical cancer.