The Importance of the HPV Vaccine in Cervical Cancer Prevention

HPV or human papillomavirus is the most common sexually transmitted disease in the United States. HPV causes warts throughout the patient’s body predominantly on the genital region. Persistent HPV infection is a significant risk factor for cervical cancer. There are several types of HPV, each with different adverse effects. Some HPV strains may cause cervical changes in women while others may persist as skin/genital warts. Typically, patients present asymptomatically thus when it is not detected it may persist over time leading to cervical cancer. Other factors that can increase risk of cervical cancer include having another immunodeficiency disease, smoking, using birth control pills for greater than 5 years, having given birth to 3 or more children or having several sexual partners. Cervical cancer screening can be done through a pap smear, looking for cellular changes in the cervix or through an HPV test. Both of these screening tests can be done in a doctor’s office. The National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program provides low cost screening to patients who may be low income or lack health insurance. Although asymptomatic in early manifestations of the disease, common symptoms of cervical cancer include abnormal vaginal bleeding or discharge, feeling full quickly after eating a meal, difficulty eating, pelvic pain or pressure, urgency to urinate, constipation, bloating, abdominal or back pain, itching or burning pain in vulva area, and presence of color changes or warts in vaginal area. Patients should pay attention to their body and if any symptoms persist for greater than 2 weeks, visit your doctor!

The CDC recommends that adolescents receive 2 doses of the HPV vaccine once they turn 11-12. The vaccine can be given as early as 9 years old. However, the HPV vaccine is not recommended for all populations older than 26 years old because most people in this age range have already been exposed to HPV thus it may be less effective. If started before age 15, a double dose schedule is recommended given 6-12 months apart. A study was conducted with 133,082 females to analyze the prevalence of cervical cancer in those who had the HPV vaccination vs. those who did not receive them. The results showed that patients who received 1 dose of the HPV vaccination had 36% preinvasive cervical cancer and those who received 2 doses were at 28%. The study also showed that 2.65% of patients who did not receive the vaccine between 15-19 years developed preinvasive cervical cancer while 1.62% of those who received the vaccine developed preinvasive cervical cancer. HPV vaccination is crucial in cervical cancer prevention.

References:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021, December 14). What are the risk factors for cervical cancer? Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved May 6, 2022, from https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/cervical/basic_info/risk_factors.htm

Wiley. "Single HPV vaccine dose may be effective against cervical cancer." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 10 February 2020. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/02/200210074246.htm>.