Cancer is a word that sends shivers through a family when its uttered by a mother, father, son or daughter.

Even with all the advances medicine has made, prevention and simply getting checked can still have a huge impact regarding catching the disease early.

Lesley Baldry is with CervixCheck CancerCare Manitoba, and says over 80% of sexually active people will have an HPV infection during their lifetime, and 90% of HPV infections will disappear on their own.

She adds the HPV can cause abnormal cell development in the cervix, which can lead to cancer. A Pap test can find abnormal cell changes on the cervix before they turn into cancer.

Baldry also stresses the importance of understanding the connection between HPV and the potential development of cancer.

Learn more about HPV, booking a Pap test and the Get Checked program offered by CancerCare Manitoba by clicking here.