To keep the cervix away from the infection of HPV causing cervical cancer, the HPV vaccine is one of the most effective treatments for cervical cancer that one should consider. This post will guide you on everything related to cervical cancer and how the HPV vaccine is effective.
Cancer, the word itself creates terror in anyone’s mind. This scary feeling is not just because of the dreadfulness of the disease, but also due to its complicated treatment procedure. Among the various cancers, women are more prone to cervical cancer. Since cervical cancer led to around 10 million deaths globally in a year, it became primitive to invent the vaccine for its cure. This post will brief you about the treatment for cervical cancer through HPV vaccine.
About cervical cancer:
This is one cancer that occurs mainly in the cells of the cervix. The cervix is the lower part of the uterus of the women that connects to the vagina. Various strains of human papillomavirus (HPV) transmitted during the sexual course or skin to skin contact causing cervical cancer. Other reasons also include multiple sexual partners, smoking, and the use of birth control pills for a long time.
HPV leads to cervical cancer:
Human papillomavirus (HPV), a wart-causing infection damages multiple cells in the body. HPV includes various strains, out of which HPV 16 and 18 are dangerous and majorly increases the risk of cervical cancer. Out of the strains, HPV 6 and 11 also causes other problematic issues in other parts of the body.
Since the HPV virus is mostly asymptomatic, easy to attract, occurs repetitively, and can last long, which causes danger to the affected areas like the cervix, leading to dreadful diseases like cancer. Hence, a screening test at the right time to identify the cancerous cells and the use of the vaccine is crucial for eliminating cervical cancer. So, book your appointment at the cancer specialist hospital like Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute & Research Centre for accurate diagnosis and treatment of cervical cancer. The provision of OPD services like a pap smear, HPV testing, colposcopy, and directed biopsies helps in determining the right course of action.
About HPV Vaccine Treatment:
HPV vaccine named Gardasil was first licensed in 2006 in Australia and was adopted by many countries as a common effective treatment for cervical cancer. It protects the cervix from 4 strains of HPV: HPV 16 and 18 as a dangerous one; and other problematic ones like HPV 6 and 11. Therefore, girls aged 11 and 12 should get this vaccine. However, following the doctor’s prescription and guidance, one can start giving this vaccine to girls as early as 9 years before they come in any sexual contact.
Dosage of Vaccine age-wise:
As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), below are the dosage of vaccine one should get in a year.
- 9 and 10 years, Teenage 13 and 14: Two dosage schedule at least 6 months apart,
- 11 and 12 years: Two dosages at least 6 months apart,
- 15 to 26 years: Three dosages of vaccine
Benefits of HPV Vaccine:
Various strains of HPV not just cause cervical cancer, but also affect other parts of the body. Therefore, the approved Gardasil vaccine not just prevents cervical cancer but many others like:
- Prevents vaginal and vulvar cancer in woman
- Prevents genital warts and anal cancer in men and women
- Prevents mouth and throat cancer
Therefore, HPV vaccination as a preventive treatment for cervical cancer has proved to be one of the best public health victories. Since it proves more effective on people who aren’t exposed to sex than the ones who take the vaccine at a later stage, it is vital to get the HPV vaccine done on time for a healthy life.