By MANMEET KAUR and TAN RENJIE
There are so many cancers out there lining up pompously and waiting very patiently to affect each and every one of us. But what could possibly strike more fear in women than the mere thought and bear mention of cervical cancer? A cancer that affects our most private areas – the fundamental, physical parts which are so very intrinsic to the idea of femininity.
Cervical cancer is caused by abnormal cell growth in the cervix or that part of the uterus that connects the womb and the vagina in women. It is a serious condition that can be life threatening and it should never be taken lightly. It begins when a woman becomes infected with certain types of Human Papillomavirus (HPV).
Abnormal cell growth in the cervix due to the penetration of HPV into the cervix.
“At present, we know that HPV infections are very common and that probably almost 50% of all sexually active adults are infected by this virus during their lifetime,” said Dr Neong Kok Hooi who has been a specialist in the gynaecology and obstetrician field for about 30 years.
According to the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC), there are more than 100 types of HPV but only about 40 types are sexually transmitted. Of those 40 types, some can cause genital warts and some can lead to abnormal cells in the lining of the cervix that could turn into cancer. 70% of all cervical cancer cases are caused by two especially high-risk types of HPV, numbers 16 and 18.
“The good news is that 90% of HPV infections go away on their own. It is when the immune system does not clear the infection, the problem starts. Cells begin to grow abnormally and turn into precancerous lesions. If not discovered early and treated, this abnormal cell growth can become cancer,” explained Dr Neong.
Since most HPV infections do not cause any symptoms, most people infected with HPV may not even know that they have it and they risk infecting their sexual partners with it. This is highly unfortunate as the virus can be transmitted by anyone who has sexual activity involving genital contact even if sexual intercourse does not take place.
Regular Pap smear tests can help detect early cancerous changes. The Pap test looks for cell changes caused by HPV. It finds cell changes early so that the cells can be treated before they turn into cancer. This test can also find cancer in its early stages so it can be treated before it becomes life threatening.
CDC reports that so far, there is no proven treatment for HPV infections, but the conditions it causes can be treated. For the majority of the people who have HPV infections, the body’s defences are enough to clear the virus.
HPV vaccines: Preventing a deadly cancer
Hail the new heroes for women’s health! Recently, two new vaccines that have the potential to prevent cervical cancer in millions of women were given the green light by the US Food Drug Administration. These HPV vaccines (Gardasil and Cervarix) have been shown to protect against a few of the HPV virus strains that can cause cervical cancer and genital warts.
“Our intention is not to ring false alarms. We just want the public to know that there are vaccines out there that are able to prevent HPV infections and reduce the risk of cervical cancer. However, it is to be kept in mind that these vaccines are mere preventive measures not cures for cervical cancer,” asserted Dr Neong.
According to the National Cancer Institute of the United States (NCI), HPV vaccines induce our body’s immune system to develop immunity against only certain HPV types.
Gardasil is said to protect against HPV types 6, 11, 16 and 18 while Cervarix protects against HPV types 16 and 18. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that HPV type 16 and 18 is estimated to cause 70% of cervical cancer while type 6 and 11 is estimated to cause 90% of genital warts.
Ideally females should get vaccinated before they are sexually active. The vaccine is most effective in women or girls who have not yet acquired any of the HPV types covered by the vaccine.
However, most women will still benefit from getting the vaccine even if they are sexually active. This is because they will still be protected against the virus types in the vaccine that they have not yet been infected with.
CDC recommends the HPV vaccines for 11 and 12 year old girls although the vaccines are licensed for the age range of 9 to 26 year olds for Gardasil and 10 to 45 year olds for Cervarix.
The HPV vaccines are given as a three-dose series over six months. They are available at most hospitals and clinics. However, it is best to get the jabs from a gynaecologist. Gardasil costs about RM 400 per dose while Cervarix costs about RM 200 per dose. Yes, you may roll your eyes and scoff at the price of the vaccines, but sometimes it is best to be safe than sorry isn’t it?
“Since these vaccines are still too young to prove their long-term efficiency and due to the fact that they do not protect against all types of HPV, it is highly recommended that women still go for Pap smears to detect early cancerous changes even though they have been vaccinated. Also, the vaccine does not prevent other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).”
According to NCI, the vaccine is not recommended for pregnant women as there has been limited research looking at vaccine safety for pregnant women and their unborn babies. Those who have had a life-threatening allergic reaction to yeast, amorphous aluminum hydroxyphosphate sulfate, and polysorbate 80 should not get vaccinated either. Those who have immune system problems (such as HIV infections) are advised to consult a certified gynaecologist prior to getting vaccinated and so are those who are on medications of any kind.
Fortunately, major side effects from the vaccine are rare. Most of the side effects reported include pain, swelling, itching, bruising, and redness at the injection site, headache, fever, nausea, dizziness, vomiting, and fainting after vaccination.
Well at the end of the day, it all comes back to the same thing. The only sure way to prevent HPV is to abstain from all sexual activity.
For those who are sexually active, condoms may lower the chances of getting HPV only if they are used all the time and in the right way. However, HPV can infect areas that are not covered by a condom. Sexually active adults can also lower the risk of HPV infections by being in a mutually faithful relationship with someone who has had no sex partners.
Dr Neong: The HPV vaccines are mere preventive measures against HPV infections NOT cures for cervical cancer.
There are so many cancers out there lining up pompously and waiting very patiently to affect each and every one of us. But what could possibly strike more fear in women than the mere thought and bear mention of cervical cancer? A cancer that affects our most private areas – the fundamental, physical parts which are so very intrinsic to the idea of femininity.
Cervical cancer is caused by abnormal cell growth in the cervix or that part of the uterus that connects the womb and the vagina in women. It is a serious condition that can be life threatening and it should never be taken lightly. It begins when a woman becomes infected with certain types of Human Papillomavirus (HPV).
Abnormal cell growth in the cervix due to the penetration of HPV into the cervix.
“At present, we know that HPV infections are very common and that probably almost 50% of all sexually active adults are infected by this virus during their lifetime,” said Dr Neong Kok Hooi who has been a specialist in the gynaecology and obstetrician field for about 30 years.
According to the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC), there are more than 100 types of HPV but only about 40 types are sexually transmitted. Of those 40 types, some can cause genital warts and some can lead to abnormal cells in the lining of the cervix that could turn into cancer. 70% of all cervical cancer cases are caused by two especially high-risk types of HPV, numbers 16 and 18.
“The good news is that 90% of HPV infections go away on their own. It is when the immune system does not clear the infection, the problem starts. Cells begin to grow abnormally and turn into precancerous lesions. If not discovered early and treated, this abnormal cell growth can become cancer,” explained Dr Neong.
Since most HPV infections do not cause any symptoms, most people infected with HPV may not even know that they have it and they risk infecting their sexual partners with it. This is highly unfortunate as the virus can be transmitted by anyone who has sexual activity involving genital contact even if sexual intercourse does not take place.
Regular Pap smear tests can help detect early cancerous changes. The Pap test looks for cell changes caused by HPV. It finds cell changes early so that the cells can be treated before they turn into cancer. This test can also find cancer in its early stages so it can be treated before it becomes life threatening.
CDC reports that so far, there is no proven treatment for HPV infections, but the conditions it causes can be treated. For the majority of the people who have HPV infections, the body’s defences are enough to clear the virus.
HPV vaccines: Preventing a deadly cancer
Hail the new heroes for women’s health! Recently, two new vaccines that have the potential to prevent cervical cancer in millions of women were given the green light by the US Food Drug Administration. These HPV vaccines (Gardasil and Cervarix) have been shown to protect against a few of the HPV virus strains that can cause cervical cancer and genital warts.
“Our intention is not to ring false alarms. We just want the public to know that there are vaccines out there that are able to prevent HPV infections and reduce the risk of cervical cancer. However, it is to be kept in mind that these vaccines are mere preventive measures not cures for cervical cancer,” asserted Dr Neong.
According to the National Cancer Institute of the United States (NCI), HPV vaccines induce our body’s immune system to develop immunity against only certain HPV types.
Gardasil is said to protect against HPV types 6, 11, 16 and 18 while Cervarix protects against HPV types 16 and 18. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that HPV type 16 and 18 is estimated to cause 70% of cervical cancer while type 6 and 11 is estimated to cause 90% of genital warts.
Ideally females should get vaccinated before they are sexually active. The vaccine is most effective in women or girls who have not yet acquired any of the HPV types covered by the vaccine.
However, most women will still benefit from getting the vaccine even if they are sexually active. This is because they will still be protected against the virus types in the vaccine that they have not yet been infected with.
CDC recommends the HPV vaccines for 11 and 12 year old girls although the vaccines are licensed for the age range of 9 to 26 year olds for Gardasil and 10 to 45 year olds for Cervarix.
The HPV vaccines are given as a three-dose series over six months. They are available at most hospitals and clinics. However, it is best to get the jabs from a gynaecologist. Gardasil costs about RM 400 per dose while Cervarix costs about RM 200 per dose. Yes, you may roll your eyes and scoff at the price of the vaccines, but sometimes it is best to be safe than sorry isn’t it?
“Since these vaccines are still too young to prove their long-term efficiency and due to the fact that they do not protect against all types of HPV, it is highly recommended that women still go for Pap smears to detect early cancerous changes even though they have been vaccinated. Also, the vaccine does not prevent other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).”
According to NCI, the vaccine is not recommended for pregnant women as there has been limited research looking at vaccine safety for pregnant women and their unborn babies. Those who have had a life-threatening allergic reaction to yeast, amorphous aluminum hydroxyphosphate sulfate, and polysorbate 80 should not get vaccinated either. Those who have immune system problems (such as HIV infections) are advised to consult a certified gynaecologist prior to getting vaccinated and so are those who are on medications of any kind.
Fortunately, major side effects from the vaccine are rare. Most of the side effects reported include pain, swelling, itching, bruising, and redness at the injection site, headache, fever, nausea, dizziness, vomiting, and fainting after vaccination.
Well at the end of the day, it all comes back to the same thing. The only sure way to prevent HPV is to abstain from all sexual activity.
For those who are sexually active, condoms may lower the chances of getting HPV only if they are used all the time and in the right way. However, HPV can infect areas that are not covered by a condom. Sexually active adults can also lower the risk of HPV infections by being in a mutually faithful relationship with someone who has had no sex partners.
Dr Neong: The HPV vaccines are mere preventive measures against HPV infections NOT cures for cervical cancer.
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