Elevation of p16INK4A protein, henceforth denoted as p16, in HPV‐positive women may indicate a high‐grade lesion with increased risk of development to cancer.17, 18 p16 levels are regulated but when hrHPV infection persists a continuous expression of the E6 and E7 oncoproteins inactivates p53 and pRb leading to p16 overexpression. This evidence concerns the gene CDKN2A and cancer.