The most important cause of cervical cancer is the sexually transmitted human papillomavirus, HPV.
The wide use of the HPV vaccine around the world has brought about a fall in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) lesions, which are the precursors of cervical cancer. In addition, the HPV vaccine is also effective against precursor lesions of vaginal and vulval cancer in women, against genital warts and against anal cancer, but it does not prevent all of them. Theoretically, men having this vaccine too protects women as well, because it reduces the spread of HPV-related cervical cancer. HPV is also the most common cause of oropharyngeal cancer (cancer of the mouth and throat). In the USA it has been reported that 70% of oropharyngeal cancer is caused by HPV.
WHO SHOULD HAVE THE HPV VACCINE AND WHEN?
Although the HPV vaccine is recommended especially in childhood, initially at the age of 11-12, it can be given to boys and girls from the age of 9 onwards. What matters here is that the vaccine is given before girls or boys have their first sexual experience and are exposed to the virus. Once a person has caught the HPV virus, the vaccine is not as effective as before or may have no effect at all.
At the same time, even if there has been no exposure to the virus at all, the vaccine is more effective at a young age than in adults. The HPV vaccine is given to people under the age of 15 as 2 doses 6 months apart. According to the studies carried out, the 2-dose schedule is sufficient. After the age of 15, 3 doses are given. In adolescents, if the interval between the 2 vaccinations is shorter than 5 months, a 3rd dose is recommended.
WHO SHOULD HAVE THE HPV VACCINE?
The HPV vaccine is not given to pregnant women or to people with a severe illness. People with various allergies, including allergy to aluminium, yeast or latex, or people who have had a severe allergic reaction to the components in the vaccine should also not have the HPV vaccine.
On the other hand, the vaccine can be used even in people who have an active sexual life and even in those who have the HPV virus. However, its effectiveness may be lower, because the vaccine provides protection against the other HPV types that have not yet entered the body. This is because it is not a curative vaccine. What matters here is to gain protection against HPV types to which there has not yet been exposure. None of the current vaccines has the property of curing an existing HPV infection.