In India, cervical cancer is the commonest cancer to affect women.
What are the common causes of Cervical Cancer?
There are various factors that increase the risk of cervical cancer; such as malnutrition, low socio-economic status, multiple sexual partners, smoking, etc.
Human papilloma virus infection is also an important cause of cervical cancer there are many types of HPV. They are classified as High risk and low risk.
High-risk types cause genital cancer and the low-risk types cause genital warts.
HPV can spread due to skin-to-skin contact. It does not require penetrative intercourse.
One can acquire the virus at any time and then it may persist in the cells for a long time. It will then induce changes in the cells that over a long period of time lead to precancerous and then cancerous changes.
What is the available vaccine to prevent cervical cancer?
HPV infection may not produce any symptoms. Taking vaccination against HPV can prevent cervical cancer. The vaccines contain some strains of the virus in the antigen form. These then help one to develop antibodies to the viral antigen.
All women can take the vaccine. It is particularly meant for young girls who have started sexual activity. It is not recommended for girls below the age of 10 years. It should be avoided during pregnancy.
The dose is as follows 3 doses to be given intramuscularly in the deltoid muscle At 0, 1 month and 6 months interval.
It is imperative to remember that this vaccination does not take away the need to do a regular screening for cervical cancer i.e. Pap smear.
