Even though it is treatable when diagnosed early, cervical cancer is still among the deadliest cancer types in the world; It especially targets women between the ages of 30-50 who are sexually active.
The most important point in protecting against cervical cancer is to protect from HPV infection. It is also possible to gain immunity against the HPV virus and get rid of the damage that the virus can cause to the body with the HPV vaccine. Gynecology and Obstetrics Specialist Op. Dr. Gamze Baykan Özgüç explained the importance of vaccination in protecting against HPV infection and the cervical cancer it causes…
WHAT IS HPV?
HPV, Human Papilloma Virus, is more commonly known as genital warts. It is a DNA virus that ranks first among the sexually transmitted viruses known to cause infection. More than 40 types of the HPV virus, of which more than 200 types have been identified, can cause genital warts and subsequently cancer in men and women. While low-risk types cause genital warts, high oncogenic types can cause intraoral, penile, scrotal and anal cancers in men, and intraoral vulva, vaginal, anal and cervix cancers in women.
The time it takes to turn into cancer is quite long
Cancer-causing types of HPV occur as a result of abnormal proliferation in the cells of the area connecting the uterus to the vagina after being transmitted through sexual intercourse. These cells develop slowly over 10-15 years and turn into cancer. Since the virus takes such a long time to become cancerous, the HPV vaccine always remains important as a preventive method.
10 percent of it can cause cancer
The transmission rate of the virus is 30-50 percent after the first sexual intercourse. In the two years after infection, the body's immune system clears this virus by 90 percent. 10 percent of it can remain in the body without causing disease. However, the virus, which the body cannot clear due to weakening of the immune system or other reasons, can turn into pre-cancerous lesions.
The risk group is women
Women are at risk of cervical cancer. It is the high-risk groups of HPV that are responsible for 99% of the cases. For this reason, protecting women from HPV is It is of great importance for public health.
Methods of protection against HPV
Protecting HPV infection is primarily through protection during sexual intercourse. In addition, monogamy, vaccination, regular gynecological examination, PAP smear and HPV genotyping tests are very important.
It is protective, not therapeutic.
HPV vaccines play an important role in the immunity required to protect against the virus. Especially vaccination applications before the start of sexual life increases the effectiveness of the vaccine.
Men should also be vaccinated
To protect against HPV infection, it is of great importance that both genders have immunity. For this reason, the vaccine is recommended for both girls and boys. It is administered to girls and boys in the 9-14 age group in 2 doses, and in the 14-25 age group in 3 doses.
It can be applied until the age of 45.
Studies conducted in recent years show that positive responses are obtained for immunity to the HPV virus with vaccines administered until the age of 45. Although vaccines given especially between the ages of 9-26 are considered more effective, it is possible to be protected by getting vaccinated at later ages.
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