Is cervical cancer vaccination really necessary?

All that you need to know about the vaccination.

By: Debjani Arora | | Published: September 16, 2015 11:58 am

Tags: Cervical cancer prevention Woman's health

Cervical cancer or cancer of the cervix, which is the lower part of the womb or uterus is caused due to the human papillomavirus and affects women in their reproductive age. It is the leading cause of cancer in Indian women and second largest in women worldwide. There are ways to prevent it, and getting vaccinated is one of them. Did you know cervical cancer is totally preventable? Read about it here.

The scenario in India
India has a population of approximately 365.71 million women above 15 years of age, who are at risk of developing cervical cancer. The current estimates indicate approximately 132,000 new cases diagnosed and 74,000 deaths annually in India, accounting to nearly one-third of the global cervical cancer deaths. Indian women face a 2.5 percent cumulative lifetime risk and 1.4 percent cumulative death risk from cervical cancer. At any given time, about 6.6% of women in the general population are estimated to harbour cervical HPV infection. Here are 11 risk factors of cervical cancer that you should know about.

Who are at risk
The risk of cervical cancer depends on age and sexual activity. Unlike many other cancers, cervical cancer occurs early and strikes at the productive period of a woman’s life. The incidence rises in 30 to 34 years of age and peaks at 55 to 65 years. It is recommended that girls get vaccinated as early as 11 or 12 years to protect from cervical cancer. However, a regular pap smear test, to check if the cervix is infected is necessary every two years after the first sexual activity. It means if a woman becomes sexually active at 18 she should go for a pap smear at 20, irrespective of having the vaccination. The vaccination isn’t a replacement for regular screening. Here are 15 health problems every woman should be aware of.

When to take it
The HPV vaccine is currently not licensed for use in female patients younger than nine years or older than 26 years, or for use in male patients. To complete the dose of vaccination, one needs to undergo three doses that should be completed within 26 years of age. In case, you have missed the vaccination talk to your doctor and go for regular screening of the cervix.

What increases your risk factor
Some common risk factors in women are smoking, multiple sex partner, early intercourse, weak immune system and STDs like herpes or warts. Also, continuous use of contraceptive pills is thought to increase one’s risk for cervical cancer.

Image source: Getty Images

Published: September 16, 2015 11:58 am

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