Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)

The human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common sexually transmitted infection that can cause genital warts and cervical cancer.

Men and women can carry it.

HPV sometimes plays a role in other cancers as well, including cancers of the vulva, vagina, penis, anus and throat.

Even so, there's the undeniable fact - it saves lives.

New research suggests as many as 2,000 women are saved every year in England as a result.

But, experts say it could be many, many more if all women aged 25-64 in the UK took the test when invited - which is normally every three years.

"Sometimes women feel a bit embarrassed or awkward about the whole thing," says Jess Kirby from Cancer Research UK.