Vaccination for Cervical Cancer
Do you know cervical cancer is among one of the common cancers which is globally affecting thousands of women? If you think it’s a disease of old and cannot affect the young, then you have a misunderstanding, it can affect anybody regardless of age. Our young female population can be protected by timely vaccination against the disease causing virus HPV (Human Papilloma Virus).
Vaccinating a large population creates herd immunity, resulting in decrease of HPV infections. It reduces two third of cervical cancer deaths, expenditure of hospital care and various invasive procedures; however it’s not effective for those who are already being affected.
The following blog will give you information about vaccination of HPV and will answer most of your queries:
What causes cervical cancer?
Human papilloma virus (HPV) causes nearly majority of cases of cervical cancer.
How HPV is causing cervical cancer?
The virus damages the cells in the lining of cervix (lower part of uterus), they start multiplying abnormally and become cancerous.
How HPV is transmitted?
It is transmitted through sexual contact.
Do all HPV cause cancer?
No, there are different types of HPV, some are not harmful (type 4 and 9) that causes warts on various areas of body, but some of the viruses(type 16 and 18) infect genital area causing genital warts which later become problematic.
How genital warts are dangerous?
The genital warts caused by HPV 16, 18 can become precancerous and cancerous causing vulval growths and vaginal, cervical or anal cancers.
How vaccine against HPV is helpful in prevention of cervical cancer?
This vaccine increases resistance to HPV by activating body immune response before actual exposure to virus, antibodies (proteins) are formed in the blood to fight against HPV.
What is the appropriate age for HPV vaccine?
Ideally it should be given to all young girls BEFORE first sexual contact. 9 to 12 years is the best time for it, but it can be given as late as 26 years of age.
How is HPV vaccine given?
There are total three injections given intramuscular. Second injection is given after 1 month and third at 6 months.
How effective is vaccination in preventing cancers?
It has been estimated that vaccines may prevent 80% anal, 70% cervical, 60% vaginal, 40% vulval and some certain mouth cancer cases. They also give protection against genital warts.
For how this vaccine gives protection?
It is effective for 8 to 10 years.
What are side effects of injections?
It has been proven to be very safe but can cause pain or soreness at injection sight.
Does HPV vaccine protect against all cervical cancers?
This vaccine is effective against the two major HPV which cause more than half of cervical cancers.
What are screening tests for cervical cancers?
Every woman should have routine screening, through pap smear test and pelvic examination.
What is (cervical )Pap smear?
It’s a simple screening test which can detect cervical cell changes before they give any symptoms. The cells are taken from surface of uterus and are examined under microscope to check for any abnormal change.
Remember, getting a regular pap smear for cervical cancer screening is still needed after vaccination, so consult today and save yourself and your loved ones from this cancer.
Dr. Ayesha Azam Khan