Different strains of HPV, which are sexually transmitted, are the cause of most cases of cervical cancer
Cervical cancer: possible cure
. The vaccine against HPV, so you can call vaccinated against cervical cancer. It will be effective if done it before as a woman infected with the virus. In addition, it is believed that the vaccine against cervical cancer can prevent cancer of the vagina and vulva.
Who needs the vaccine against cervical cancer
Vaccination against cervical cancer is recommended to girls aged 11-12 years, although in principle it can be done as early as 9 years old. It is important that the vaccination was done before the start of sexual activity, since the probability of contracting HPV is very high. Vaccination can also be done to boys and young men ages 9 to 26 years old to prevent genital warts.
Girls and women who are not vaccinated at the age of 11 to 12 years, or have not done a whole lot of vaccination, may make them up to 26 years. After 26 be vaccinated against cervical cancer is not recommended.
For vaccination should be done three injections over six months. The second stab is usually made within two months after the first, and the third - in six months.
Vaccination against cervical cancer is not recommended for pregnant women, and people with severe or moderately severe illness.
Currently, you must do three injections of the vaccine, as scientists still do not know what level of antibodies needed to protect against human papillomavirus. During the early stages of clinical trials, it was observed that the level of antibodies increases with each subsequent injections. Since after completion of the vaccination antibody levels will inevitably fall, it was decided that it makes sense to raise the level of antibodies to a high level, which ensure the best possible long-term and reliable protection against the virus. Perhaps, over time, scientists find that the three injections is not necessary - or several years after vaccination needs another shot - to maintain protection.
Side effects
Typically, the vaccine against cervical cancer caused only minor side effects. The most common of these are mild pain at the injection site (forearm), headache, slight fever. Immediately after the injection, there is a small chance of dizziness and fainting, especially among adolescents. To avoid it is recommended to sit for 15 after putting vaccine. Sometimes there are also such side effects as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain.
Very rarely has serious side effects, including anaphylactic shock and neurological disorders.
What are the similarities between human papillomavirus and cervical cancer
Human papilloma virus - is one of the most common viral sexually transmitted infections. Today, it is believed that almost every woman who is sexually active has the virus in the blood. But most women with HPV do not cause disease - this prevents good immunity.
When under the influence of lowered immunity at mucosal HPV (genitalia, anus, mouth, throat) grow genital warts, which are small but rapidly growing education first size of a few millimeters. Dangerous these growths on the cervix in women and penis in men, as they are considered pre-cancerous diseases.
Treatment of genital warts - is the removal of a variety of ways (laser cauterization cold, electrocoagulation, radiowave method) combined with the strengthening of immunity
Strengthening the immune system - help the immune system
.
HPV vaccines
Now in the world there are two HPV vaccines (called vaccine against cervical cancer) vaccine Gardasil (Merck Pharmaceutical Company, USA) and Cervarix (pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline, USA).
At present, there are about 100 types of HPV, many of which can cause cervical cancer. Gardasil contains particles of HPV types 6, 11, 16 and 18 - the most common of these types cause cervical cancer. This is the first vaccine developed that has passed all the necessary laboratory and clinical trials. Cervarix was released later - it contains particles of HPV types 16 and 18.
The instructions for use of the vaccine say that they can be applied to children and adolescents aged 9 to 17 years and young women aged 18 to 26 years. The vaccination consists of three injections of the vaccine: the appointed day, exactly two months after the first injection and at 6 months after the first injection.
The manual also says that a full course of vaccination leads to the formation of specific antibodies to the four types of HPV - 6, 11, 16 and 18 in more than 99% of the vaccinated for a period of not less than 36 months in all age groups.
Contraindications for the vaccine are hypersensitivity to the drug, children up to 9 years, pregnancy and reduced blood clotting (ie, a tendency to bleeding). Breastfeeding a child is not a contraindication for use of the vaccine.
Side effects of the vaccine may be common (headache, malaise, fever) and local (redness, swelling and tenderness at the injection site). There may be any allergic reactions.
Gardasil is not intended to treat cancer
Cancer Treatment - difficult, but necessary
female genital warts or precancerous lesions caused by HPV. It also does not protect against diseases caused by other HPV types (no 6, 11, 16 or 18) or of another origin. Accordingly, the vaccine Cervarix only protects against disease caused by HPV types 16 and 18.
In the United States, Australia and many European countries vaccinations vaccines Gardasil and Cervarix are doing for several years. Today, HPV vaccination has started in our country, so far only in the form of an experiment in several regions.
What do opponents of the vaccine
In countries where the HPV vaccine has been used for several years (the very first was the United States and Australia) were active opponents of it, that the following arguments:
- safety of the vaccine has not been verified on several generations of women, so no one knows how it will affect the fertility of women;
- the vaccine is effective only when a woman's body is not the HPV virus, and since the start of sexual activity, it appears the majority, accordingly, it makes sense to introduce the vaccine only virgins;
- the introduction of the vaccine woman infected with HPV, it accelerates the development condylomatosis
Warts - common genital infection
And cervical cancer;
- vaccines are effective only against four or two types of HPV, them there is much greater.
Doctors opposed to vaccines Gardasil and Cervarix, believe they are the grand hoax, which was organized by the relevant pharmaceutical companies for the purpose of financial gain. Moreover, they consider not contested and the fact that HPV causes cervical cancer.
Thus, there are many arguments in favor of the use of HPV vaccines and against. Time will tell who was right.
Galina Romanenko
