HPV, Cancer and Vaccination

HPV stands for human papillomavirus and there are 100 types but only 13 of them are known to cause cancer, the others are harmless and cause problems such as warts. HPV is transmitted through intimate sexual contact such as sexual intercourse and a strain of HPV is thought to be present in at least half of all sexually active women. In fact 3000 women are diagnosed with the problem each year and approximately 1000 die each year.

Cervical cancer is rare in women under 25 and most women get the problem in their 30s or when they are older. So how does HPV lead to cervical cancer? There are two particular strains of HPV (types 16 and 18) which cause over 70% of all cervical cancers in the UK. Although HPV infection is usually symptom free it can severely damage the lining of the cervix and repeat infection if left untreated can cause cervical cancer.   The Vaccination   The HPV vaccine protects against the two aforementioned types of the virus as these cause over 70% of cervical cancers.

It is estimated that the vaccine saves the lives of over 400 women per year. There are three doses of the vaccination needed spread over a 6 month period and it is necessary to have all three jabs to ensure best protection. The vaccine has undergone rigorous testing and is 100% completely safe, in fact this testing was a condition in the granting of the licence. The vaccine will be offered to 12-13 year old girls from the autumn of 2008 and will be carried out by primary care trusts. Most girls will be given the vaccination in school and for older girls given at their local GP.

Many women are under the illusion that this eliminated the need for cervical screening however it is VITAL that all women go for cervical screening from the age of 25, vaccine or no vaccine. The cervical screening service offered by the NHS saves about 4500 lives a year and is offered to women up to the age of 25.  

HPV vaccination to prevent cervical cancer

There is no doubt that '(Human Papilloma Virus) vaccine against HPV is one of the great advances in preventive health care in the field of gynecology in recent years. Have treated many patients with HPV-related diseases (as young as 15 years) I think it's important that everyone is aware of the fact that HPV infection is one of the most important and rapidly growing today health problems for women.

The possibility that certain types of HPV caused cervicalCancer is a fact that can not be ignored. HPV is very common and can be present in a dormant state, without clinical signs or symptoms.

Often, women in a relationship will be the first clinical signs or symptoms of HPV (genital warts, abnormal Pap smears, dysplasia), when it could have been his companion, who was the source of the virus. Very often, the partner is fully aware that he / she bringsHPV virus. Given the prevalence of HPV, usually not possible to determine when the virus was acquired at first.

Even men with medical problems related to the HPV virus (genital warts and cancer), but much less frequently than women. In many cases the clinical signs are not easily recognized in men, and therefore can go unnoticed.

Women's magazines and public health is very much toward educating women about HPV, as they are statistically more likely to be theperson at risk in a report that HPV is present. This makes HPV seems to be no question of women's health in most relationships, when clearly there is a common health problem that must be addressed in a responsible manner by both partners.

HPV vaccination is a preventive measure and is intended to be administered before exposure, ideally before they become sexually active. So an effort should be made to educate women about HPV vaccination at an early stageage.

This article is intended to increase awareness of HPV-related concerns. You should consult your primary care provider about specific prevention, diagnosis and treatment of HPV.

Cervical Cancer Vaccination

Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer is a malignant growth of the cervix uteri or surrounding cervical area. Symptoms are often not visible until the cancer is very advanced although some cases will present with vaginal bleeding or an odorous vaginal discharge. Due to the lack of clear symptoms women aged between 25 and 49 are invited for a smear test every 3 years.

Diagnosis

The smear test involves taking a sample of cervical cells which are then tested for abnormalities. If abnormalities are found this is not necessarily indicative of cancer. If an abnormal smear is taken, the person will then visit a gynecologist for a colposcopy which involves an internal vaginal examination. This can sometimes involve a biopsy which is where a sample of tissue is removed to examine under a microscope.

HPV

Cancer involves a change in the DNA so that cell replication and growth becomes unregulated. Causes of this are widespread and include Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), smoking, numbers of children and more. HPV is the biggest cause of cervical cancer with over 99% of cases being associated with an infection. HPV can lie dormant in mucous membranes of the body and eventually leads to cervical intraepithelial neoplasia which is the stage before cancer. HPV does not always cause cancer but it is a significant risk factor. HPV is spread through sexual intercourse and so women with multiple partners are most at risk.

HPV Vaccine

Since September 2008 there has been a recent move to vaccinate girls aged 12-13 against two of the strains of HPV which are those thought to be involved in causing cancer. It involves three injections over a 6 month period given routinely in schools.

There has been some controversy over the new program. As with any vaccination there are also some possible side effects. Most of these are very mild and might include some mild flu like symptoms or swelling. However, there is also a very small chance that the vaccination could incur a more severe allergic reaction leading to anaphylactic shock. Particular to this vaccine there has been some worry that by giving a vaccine against a virus that is sexually transmitted it could encourage sexual promiscuity or apathy against sexually transmitted diseases. Some argue that the cost of the vaccination programme is not justifiable when infection could be prevented by safe sex practices.

A girl recently died suddenly after receiving the vaccination in a school in Coventry. As of yet there has been no confirmed link between the vaccine and her death but vaccination programs have been terminated until a result can be determined. Since the start of the programme 1.8 million girls have been given the vaccine and no other deaths have been reported. Other girls given the vaccine in the same school also reported side effects but none needed admitting to hospital. This has newly awakened the debate over the vaccine and whether it should really be given at all.

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