Sunday, November 30, 2008

CERVICAL CANCER VACCINE

What is cervical cancer/ carcinoma of the cervix?
Cervical cancer is malignant tumor in the cervix (structure between vagina and the uterus).The peak of incidence occur between the age 20-30.Worldwide, about 500,000 new cases of cervical cancer are diagnosed each year, resulting in 250,000 deaths.We should understand that Cervical cancer is not cause by hereditary.

Nearly all cases of cervical cancer is caused by Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. When someone got infected, this virus causes a short period of symptoms and then it disappears without any treatment. This virus persist in the cervix epithelium for years and gradually changes the genetic apparatus of the cells and then leads to excessive proliferation of infected cells and formation of intraepithelial neoplasia.

Who is affected?
HPV infection is a sexually transmitted disease. It usually infects any young people (age 16-30) that are sexually active with multiple partners. The incidence is highest in developing country such as India, Thailand; where prostitution of young girls is very high. The ratio of cervical cancer to breast cancer in these countries is 3 : 1.
People at risk of acquiring this infection are people who:- started sexual life at a very young age (<17 yrs old)- has multiple sexual partners- had unprotected sex without condoms- has husband/partner who previously has a wife died because of cervical cancer (yes, this virus love glans penis, it lives and multiplies there and this infected penis will be the carrier of this HPV infection)- has medical history of STD
*Gays can also be infected with HPV but since the location of poking will be different, they will get anal cancer.
Smoking increases the rate of malignisation of cells. Don’t think that holding a cigarrette, naked in bed with some cute guy is cool. It can kill you. (I think nowadays people watch too much drama series. tsk tsk, this is bad, very bad.)
The incidence of cervical cancer is almost none in virgins.

Who needs the vaccine?
This vaccine is recommended to female age 13 - 26 years old. The younger the better, before she start having sex. The vaccine will activate immune system against HPV before she is expose to the virus. (If you plan to engage in a lot a lot of sex act with many guys in future, I think it is better to be vaccinated.)
The vaccine is given as a series of three injections over a six-month period. The second dose is given two months after the first dose, followed four months later by the third dose.
Women that are already sexually active, this vaccine will still be effective, it reduces the risk of transformation of cervical epithelium into cancerous cells.
*boys age 9-15 yrs old can be vaccinated as well if you suspect he has tendency to be homosexual to prevent anal cancer.
Are you in the risk group? Then you will need the vaccine for sure. On the other hand, other girls (virgin/non-virgin) can consider taking this vaccine as a prophylaxis.