HPV vaccine, preventing cervix cancer

Cervix cancer is the second most common malignancy in female after breast cancer. There are 1000-1200 new cases diagnosed in Hungary each year. This is a huge number since more than 90 % of these could be prevented.

The Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is responsible for development of cervix cancer. This virus is very frequent in human, 80% of women and 50 % of men have been infected at least once in their life. In most cases HPV infection disappears relatively soon (6 to 18 months), but if it is persistant (high risk types especially 16 and 18) it can souse cancer.

The cervix cancer is one of the common malignancy which can be prevented nearly 100 % by frequent screening PAP and HPV tests and by vaccination against high risk HPV types (16,18 31,33,45,52,58 and 6, 11). 

In what age women should be checked for cervix malignancy?

for the first check 21 years of age suggested or 3 years after the first sexual episode. Thereafter if both PAP smear and HPV tests are negative 3 years interval recommended between the tests even without sexual partnership since the risk is increasing with age. Fifty % of the newly diagnosed cases are over the 50 years of age. Screening is advised until the age of 70.

Who is in more danger for cancer?

• smokers
• who started the sexual life in young age (less than 18)
• who had partners with more women before
• who had genital STDs
• who has supressed immune system, (HIV, transplant etc.)
• who changes partners frequently

Vaccination

Vaccination has a long term effect compared to the one who had previous infection. It is advised to vaccinate boys too not only the girls, since HPV can cause diseases among boys too, and also spread infections to girls. 

Gardasil 9 injection

Gardasil 9 injection can be given from the age of 9 until the age of 45. The injection gives protection in 100 % for the 9 types of HPV (6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52 and 58). The injection can be given for anybody regardless of the HPV status. This is for prevention and would not treat the the HPV infection already presented. For women HPV is responsible for cervix cancer and vaginal and genital malignancies. In male HPV can cause anal and mouth and penis cancer.

Does the HPV vaccine offer benefits if you're already sexually active?

Yes. Even if you already have one strain of HPV, you could still benefit from the vaccine because it can protect you from other strains that you don't yet have. However, none of the vaccines can treat an existing HPV infection. The vaccines protect you only from specific strains of HPV you haven't been exposed to already. Also, the a vaccine has long lasting immune effect contrary to the natural immune protection after HPV disease.