01/11/2023
Cervical Cancer and HPV Vaccination: A Comprehensive Guide
Introduction:
Cervical cancer is a significant public health concern affecting women worldwide. It is primarily caused by high-risk strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV), particularly HPV-16 and HPV-18. HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection globally. Cervical cancer begins as abnormal cell growth in the cervix, often developing over years, highlighting the importance of early intervention.
**Causative Relationship between HPV and Cervical Cancer:**
HPV, a DNA virus, is transmitted through sexual contact. HPV-16 and HPV-18 are particularly concerning as they have been identified in up to 70% of cervical cancer cases. These high-risk strains infect cervical cells, leading to genetic mutations that can progress to cancer over time.
**Efficacy of the Vaccine:**
HPV vaccines, such as Gardasil and Cervarix, offer excellent protection against the most common cancer-causing HPV strains. Clinical trials have demonstrated that these vaccines are highly effective in preventing HPV infections, reducing the risk of cervical cancer by approximately 70-90%.
**Who Should Be Vaccinated and at What Age:**
1. **Girls and Women:** The vaccine is most effective when administered before exposure to HPV, typically recommended for girls and women between ages 9 and 26.
2. **Boys and Men:** HPV vaccination is also recommended for boys and men, as it helps prevent other HPV-related cancers (e.g., throat, a**l, and pe**le cancers) and reduces the overall transmission of the virus.
**Ge***al Cancers Prevented by HPV Vaccination:**
In addition to cervical cancer, HPV vaccination also provides protection against:
- Vulvar cancer
- Vaginal cancer
- A**l cancer
- Pe**le cancer
- Throat cancer
**Level of Protection:**
HPV vaccines provide strong protection against the targeted HPV strains, reducing the risk of cervical cancer significantly. However, it is important to emphasize that the vaccine does not protect against all HPV types; thus, regular cervical cancer screenings are still essential.
**Complications from Vaccination:**
The HPV vaccine is generally well-tolerated, with side effects being mild and temporary. Common side effects include pain at the injection site, fever, and mild dizziness. Serious adverse events are rare, and the benefits of vaccination far outweigh the risks.
HPV VACCINATION MYTHS:
1. HPV vaccination causes female infertility ? This is completely untrue. The vaccination does not interfere with a woman’s fertility in any way.
2. You cannot receive the vaccination if you are sexually active and have already been infected with the virus.? This is untrue.There are more than 100 strains of the Human Papilloma Virus and this vaccination offers protection against nine of the most prominent strains which are linked to almost 90% of cervical cancers as well as other ge***al cancers. So the vaccination can still provide significant protection to people infected with HPV.
3. HPV vaccination cannot be given after the age of 12. This is false. The vaccination can be given to anyone irrespective the age. Of course if one is already sexually active it might not be as preventative.
4. The HPV Vaccine only protects girls. This is false. Boys are as prone to HPV infection as much as girls. It is the infected male who infects the female so the incidence of cervical (and other ge***al cancers) will be more drastically reduced if boys and girls are vaccinated at the same time. For cost reasons the adolescent vaccination programme in most countries is limited to girls. Hopefully over time boys will also be included in the mass vaccination programme.
5. Regular PAP SMEARS become unnecessary after HPV vaccination? This is false. The vaccination offers about 90% protection. So there remains about a 10% risk of cervical cancer in vaccinated individuals. So regular pap smears is recommended for all women,including those who have had the HPV vaccination.
**Vaccination for Other Cancers:**
While HPV vaccination primarily targets cervical cancer and related cancers, there is ongoing research into vaccines for other types of cancer. For instance, the link between HPV and throat cancer has led to discussions about extending vaccination recommendations to further protect against this type of cancer.
In summary, HPV vaccination is a highly effective method to prevent cervical cancer, and it offers additional protection against various other ge***al and oropharyngeal cancers. It is recommended for both girls and boys, typically administered in early adolescence, and its potential complications are minimal compared to the significant benefits it provides in reducing cancer risk. Expanding the use of HPV vaccines to protect against other cancers remains a topic of ongoing research and discussion.
BOTTOMLINE:
It will not be an overstatement to claim that of all the cancers that afflict the female reproductive system ,cancer of the cervix ,which is the second most common cancer in women in Nigeria and the cause of thousands of deaths every year, can be completely eradicated. Some experts have described it as a sexually transmitted disease because the HPV is acquired through sexual activity. If the adolescent vaccination programme is stringently applied before females become sexually active and sustained coupled with public enlightenment programmes to educate parents and girls on the extraordinary benefits of vaccination and regular pap smears and attract their participation there is hope that in the not too distant future cervical cancer will become a very rare occurrence
