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The human papillomavirus (HPV) high risk cancer statistics taken from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report show that almost half of men and women in the U.S. aged 60 and younger are infected with the virus.

There are certain strains of the virus such as HPV 16 and 18 which account for about 70 percent of HPV high risk cancer statistics. The low risk strains can cause genital warts and may not lead to cancer.

From 2013 to 2014, the number of men who carry genital HPV was verging on 50 percent whereas the rate for women was nearly 40 percent. Among the men, 25 percent had high-risk genital HPV and it was close to 20 percent for women. HPV was the most prevalent among black adults, and the least among Asian adults.

Although vaccination for HPV is not as widespread as health authorities would like it to be, studies have shown that it has led to a decline in the cases of infection since it was made available 11 years ago. The CDC reported that the prevalence of the infection among young women decreased by 34 percent and it went even 60 percent lower among teenage girls.

Many young people have not taken advantage of HPV vaccine partly because it is not considered a necessity by parents and doctors. Health officials believe that the best time to provide protection to this age group is before they start the sexually active stage of their lives. They promote vaccination for cancer prevention, WebMD reported.

The virus is transmitted from a person who carries the virus to another via sex, whether vaginal, anal or oral, and symptoms of the infection may not be visible right away. The vaccine can protect both men and women from the HPV-related diseases. Screening for cervical cancer is encouraged among 21- to 65-year old women.

Using a condom during sex may also lower the chances of getting infected although it does not give complete protection against the virus. Committing to an exclusive relationship may also give greater assurance of preventing the disease, according to the CDC.