DO YOU KNOW THAT THE HPV VACCINE CAN PREVENT GENITAL CANCERS?

HPV vaccine is administered in our clinic.

What is HPV and HPV VACCINE?

HPV vaccine, considering both girls and boys; we can say that taking precautions now means preventing many possible diseases in the future.

What is HPV?

HPV stands for “human papilloma virus”. HPV is a highly prevalent virus that has been clinically recognized to cause many cancers in both men and women.

The virus causes recurrent infections of the genitals, which are difficult to treat, and can also feel very uncomfortable. In women, especially cervical cancer,

• Vaginal and vulvar cancers in women,
• Anal cancer in women and men,
• Throat cancer in women and men,
• Penile cancer in men.

It may be caused by HPV.

HPV is responsible for 100% of cervical cancers. HPV is detected in 88% of anal cancers and 74% of vaginal cancers.

What does the HPV vaccine do?

The HPV vaccine, which is available in our country, prevents the most common TYPE 16-18 infections of this virus, which is associated with many cancers. In addition, the HPV vaccine prevents infection with HPV types 6 and 11, which cause genital warts in both women and men.

Recent data show that approximately 275,000 women die from cervical cancer every year worldwide. In our country, 2,356 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer every year and unfortunately 1,280 women die. (*)

(*) http://www.who.int/whr/1995/media_centre/executive_summary1/en/index3.html

Vaccination is the first option for cervical cancer prevention. Regular Pap smear tests are recommended with the vaccine.

The vaccine does not protect against all types of HPV. However, the current vaccine protects against the types responsible for 70% of cervical cancer cases and 90% of genital warts.

HPV infection is usually transmitted through sexual contact and 85% of men and women will become infected at some point in their lives.(*)

(*) https://www.cdc.gov/hpv/parents/vaccine/six-reasons.

Most infections disappear on their own and do not cause serious problems. But thousands of women and men develop cancer and other diseases caused by HPV.

What is HPV Vaccine?

The HPV vaccine is approved by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) and is recommended for both men and women.

The approach of the Society of Gynecologic Oncology of Turkey regarding these vaccines is: “The recommendations of the TCSB Cancer Department, FDA and ACIP (Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices) regarding HPV vaccines are exactly the same.”

Both vaccines for cancer contain antigens against HPV 16 and 18, the two types responsible for 70% of cervical cancers.

Vaccines provide 100% protection against these two HPV types. The quadrivalent vaccine also offers 100% protection against HPV 6 and 11, which are responsible for 90% of warts.

Even after vaccination, Pap smear screening should be continued as cancer can develop with other types.

The vaccine is primarily recommended at the age of 11-12 years. However, it can be applied to both women and men starting from the age of 9, with no upper age limit.

From 9 to 14 years of age, vaccination can be completed in 2 doses at 6-month intervals. For those aged 14 years and older who start HPV vaccination, a series of three doses should be administered, the second dose at least 1 month after the first dose and the third dose at least 3 months after the second dose. You can also complete this vaccination cycle within 12 months.

For vaccination recommendations, you can consult your doctor about the conditions to be considered.