Cervical cancer prevention with HPV vaccine
Verified by Dr. Richa Bansal, Consultant Gynaec – Oncology & Robotic Surgery, Apollo Cancer Centres, Navi Mumbai.
‘One woman dies of cervical cancer every 2 minutes. Each one is a tragedy, and we can prevent it” says WHO. 9 in 10 cervical cancer deaths worldwide occurs in low- and middle-income countries like India. India accounts for 20% of all the cervical cancer cases occurring worldwide, with more than 1,24,000 cases and 75,000 deaths yearly. Thus, cervical cancer is a major public health problem in India, and it has been projected that the burden of cervical cancer cases and deaths will only increase in the near future if preventive actions are not taken.
Cervical cancer is a preventable disease
- The primary cause of cervical precancer and cancer is infection with a virus called Human Papilloma Virus or HPV.
- HPV infection is the most common sexually transmitted infection in young newly married women, but it also clears spontaneously in majority of these women with the help of body’s immunity.
- Only those women who develop persistent cervical infection with HPV due to non-clearance of infection from their genital tract, are at risk of developing cervical cancer.
Vaccination of adolescent girls with HPV vaccine is the most effective intervention for preventing HPV infection and thus reducing the risk of developing cervical cancer.
The safety and efficacy of HPV vaccination has been proven beyond doubt as majority of the developed countries have been able to bring down the cervical cancer incidence and death rates with the widespread population-based HPV vaccination.
WHO recommends
- Most ideal age for vaccination is for girls between 9 and 14 years who should be vaccinated with 2 doses 6 months apart.
- If a girl has missed this period, she can be vaccinated up to 26 years of age ideally before sexual exposure.
In addition to HPV vaccination, age-appropriate information on sexual and reproductive health, safe sexual practices – delaying 1st sexual contact, decreasing the number of sexual partners, condom use, male circumcision where appropriate and avoiding tobacco in all forms should be encouraged.
India has recently launched its first locally manufactured HPV vaccine, quadrivalent Cervavac which is much more affordable than the existing vaccine. It is definitely a promising advance in our fight against cervical cancer.
Read about some frequently asked questions on cervical cancer here.
Consult our expert, Dr. Richa Bansal, Consultant Gynaec – Oncology & Robotic Surgery, Apollo Cancer Centres, Navi Mumbai for cervical cancer prevention and management at the exclusive women clinician led ‘Apollo Women’s Cancer Prevention Clinic, Navi Mumbai.’
Call 022 6280 6280 for an appointment.