Cervical cancer occurs when there is a change in the cells of a woman’s cervix. It is characterized by slow growth, and hence there is usually time to find and treat it before it causes serious problems. But when diagnosed later, it may spread to other parts of the body (metastasize), most often the lungs, liver, bladder, vagina, and rectum. Most cases of cervical cancer are caused by an infection with human papillomavirus (HPV).
Human papillomavirus or HPV is a sexually transmitted virus. It infects at least 50% of sexually active people at some point in their lives. Most of the time HPV infections go away by itself in 1 to 2 years. But some people stay infected for many years. If our body is unable to clear the virus and it persists, it can lead to genital warts, cervical, anal, and throat cancers.
There are three HPV vaccines approved for use in the U.S.: Gardasil, Gardasil 9, and Cervarix. There are more than a hundred types of HPV, but these vaccines prevent disease caused by high-risk strains of HPV.
For example, HPV-6 and HPV-11 cause about 90% of genital warts.
Ideally, getting the vaccine before you’ve had a chance to be exposed to the virus is recommended, i.e, before ever being exposed to sexual activity. But even if you’ve been infected with one strain at some point, it can still protect against others. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the CDC recommend it for all girls and boys aged 11 to 12, requiring two doses 6 to 12 months apart. But after the age of 15, three doses are necessary. Adult men and women aged 27 to 45 who aren’t already vaccinated and who have specific risk have also been recommended to take the vaccine.
Screening for cervical cancer can be done with a Pap test. It can find cancer early when treatment is easiest. Beginning at age 21 till age 65, all women should have a Pap test every 3 years. Once aged 30, Pap test and HPV testing together can be done, or HPV testing alone every 5 years. And it is important to note that taking HPV vaccination doesn’t mean women can skip their Pap tests.
References:
https://www.webmd.com/cancer/cervical-cancer/cervical-cancer
https://www.webmd.com/sexual-conditions/hpv-genital-warts/cer vical-cancer-hpv-what-women-girls-s
https://www.webmd.com/sexual-conditions/hpv-genital-warts/hp v-vaccines-human-papillomavirus
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