Final answer:
There are over 14 high-risk HPV types known to be associated with various cancers, including types 16 and 18, which are linked to 70% of cervical cancer cases. Vaccines like Gardasil and Cervarix help prevent infection with these high-risk HPV types. Regular Pap testing is key in detecting potential cancerous changes early on.
Step-by-step explanation:
There are at least 14 known high-risk HPV types that are associated with cervical cancer, with HPV types 16 and 18 alone linked to approximately 70% of all cervical cancer diagnoses. High-risk types of HPV are those capable of causing cancer due to the ability of certain viral proteins, such as E6 and E7, to inactivate tumor suppressor proteins. This destabilizes cell regulation and can lead to cancer. The Gardasil vaccine covers HPV types 6, 11, 16, and 18, while Gardasil 9 includes the previous four types plus types 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58, expanding protection against more high-risk HPV types. The Cervarix vaccine includes just types 16 and 18. Regular Pap testing can detect abnormal cells that may develop into cervical cancer, making early detection and vaccination crucial preventive measures.