HPV —human papillomavirus—has been around a long time. Modern humans possibly even gave it to the Neanderthals. HPV is a category of viruses, some of which cause genital and throat cancers. It’s responsible for most cervical, mouth, and throat cancers. It spreads most easily through sexual contact but can theoretically be spread simply by contact with surfaces. Around 80% of sexually active humans will carry a form of HPV at some point in their lives.

Not all forms of HPV cause cancer, although they do cause warts. Some humans, especially younger people, will clear the virus on their own. Many HPV infections cause no symptoms at all. Sometimes cancer is the first and only symptom. Vaccines for HPV have been available since 2006. They prevent infection from the more deadly, cancer promoting forms of HPV.

Scientists recently discovered that Otzi, Europe’s most famous mummy, carried a deadly form of HPV, HPV 16. Otzi, also known as the Iceman, is 5000 years old, and was discovered frozen in the alps in 1991.

I’m interested in Otzi because a DNA test revealed that he and I had the same mitochondrial DNA. Mitochondrial DNA is inherited from the mother in nearly all animals. Thus, at one point, Otzi and I were related. Otzi and I also, allegedly, have the same mitochondrial DNA as Mary Magdalene.

In 2023, the Iowa Legislature passed a law that removes the state mandate to teach about HPV in health class. Iowa is first in the nation in head and neck cancers, related to HPV infections. Iowa also lags behind other states in the rate of vaccination for HPV. The average rate in the US is around 60% of kids vaccinated but in Iowa, we hover around 40%.

Death from HPV related cancer is no joke. It’s too bad our state legislature is not promoting a vaccine to prevent it, taking us back at least 5000 years.