Cervical Cancer Prevention
What is Cervical Cancer
It is a cancer affecting lowermost part of the uterus known as cervix or in other words entry point of uterus. The salience of early detection and prevention lies in late detection and aggressive nature of this cancer which spreads rapidly. Needless to say, the complications occurring in parallel goes on.
This essay pulls cervical cancer prevention modalities in broad picture. Few aspects to ponder are as follows, firstly
HPV Vaccination
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is the primary cause of cervical cancer. Vaccination against HPV is an effective way to prevent infection with high-risk HPV types. The HPV vaccine is typically administered in two or three doses, depending on the age at which the vaccine is initiated.
The ideal age for vaccination is before the onset of sexual activity to provide maximum protection.
Indian Recommendation is Females and males 9-14 years - two doses - two months apart confers lifetime immunity towards cervical cancer up to 85-90%.
15 years and above - three doses - 0-2-6
Next in line is Regular Pap Smears/Screening which is often done through Pap smears (Pap tests) and/or HPV testing detects precancerous changes or early-stage cancer.
Timings: Pap smears are recommended every three years for women aged 21 to 29 provided they are sexually active.
Women aged 30 to 65 may choose to have Pap smears every three years or a combination of Pap smears and HPV testing every five years.
Performed by obstetrician/gynaecologists or Family Medicine specialists
HPV Testing identifies the presence of high-risk HPV types that may lead to cervical cancer. Tested in combination with Pap smears, especially for women aged 30 and older with unequivocal pap smear findings.
Healthy Lifestyle is habit not a medical prescription. This includes a balanced diet and regular exercise supporting overall well-being and contributes to a lower risk of cervical cancer.
Safe Sexual Practices including consistent and correct use of condom reduces the risk of HPV and other sexually transmitted infections. Secondly, avoiding multiple sexual contact with individuals who have a high number of sexual partners can lower the risk of HPV transmission. This is valid for men and women as well.
Smoking is associated with an increased risk of cervical cancer so quitting reduces this risk.
Education and Awareness about cervical cancer, its causes, and prevention strategies is crucial and I believe, is the first step. Encouraging vaccination and regular screenings is important for early detection and prevention.
The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is not only important for the prevention of cervical cancer in females but also plays a crucial role in preventing other cancers and diseases in males such as anal, penile, and oropharyngeal (throat and mouth) cancers.
Vaccination can reduce the risk of developing genital warts in both males and females.
Benefit of vaccinating males contributes to herd immunity, reducing the overall prevalence of HPV in the community and protecting individuals who may not be vaccinated.
The HPV vaccine has been shown to be safe and effective in preventing HPV-related diseases. Arbitrarily, side effects are generally mild, such as pain at the injection site or mild fever. But the benefits outweigh risks.
Furthermore, a recent study validated that vaccination against Human Papillomavirus (HPV) has been shown to significantly reduce the risk of progression of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), which are precancerous changes in the cells of the cervix.
Clinical trials and epidemiological studies have demonstrated that HPV vaccination significantly reduces the incidence of high-grade CIN (CIN2/3), which are more likely to progress to cervical cancer if left untreated. By preventing the initial HPV infection, vaccination decreases the likelihood of developing CIN and its progression to cervical cancer.
HPV vaccination, coupled with regular cervical cancer screening, enables early detection of CIN lesions. With early detection, appropriate interventions such as colposcopy, biopsy, and treatment can be initiated promptly to prevent the progression of CIN to invasive cervical cancer. The said tests are usually performed by gynaecologist/obstetricians.
These shots offer long-lasting protection against HPV infection and its associated lesions, including CIN. Studies have shown that vaccinated individuals maintain high levels of protection against HPV-related diseases for many years after vaccination.
Conclusively, cervical cancer vaccination is a crucial preventive measure in reducing the risk of CIN progression and ultimately lowering the incidence of cervical cancer. It is recommended that individuals receive the HPV vaccine as part of routine immunization programs to maximize its effectiveness in preventing HPV-related diseases. Additionally, regular cervical cancer screening remains important for early detection and management of precancerous lesions, even among vaccinated individuals.
#HPV #vaccination #Cervicalcancer #cancer #awarenesscampaign #papilomavirus #hpvvaccine
Dr Akshat Khandekar
Reference:
1. Louise Krog, et al. Risk of progression of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 in human papillomavirus–vaccinated and unvaccinated women: a population-based cohort study. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2023 December 30. [DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajog.2023.11.1235]