The HPV produces an infection with no symptoms

VACCINES are renowned for being man’s best arsenal against life-threatening viral and bacterial diseases. And thanks to science, obstetrician-gynaecologist at ICON Medical Centre Dr Keisha Buchanan says that fewer individuals will contract certain diseases. The Human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine provides protection against HPV – the virus which can lead to certain types of cancer.

“HPV is the commonest STI (sexually transmitted infection). Approximately 80 per cent of the world’s population will be exposed to this virus. A small percentage of women will develop cancer of the cervix, some men will develop cancer of the penis, and oral or anal cancer will attack a number of men and women,” Dr Buchanan explained.

She said that while much focus is now being placed on inoculating girls and women, boys and men should be encouraged to get this vaccine as well.

“The HPV vaccine is also recommended for males, as this can protect against oral and anal cancer and cancer of the penis. While these may not be the most common cancers suffered by men in Jamaica, vaccinating men also means that women are being protected against the virus indirectly as well,” she added.

The doctor stressed the importance of education about the vaccine and about the virus itself.

Below she shares some facts.

• Eighty per cent of people will clear the HPV in one year and 90 per cent will clear the virus in two years, even without intervention. However, some will last longer.

• The HPV is a silent infection that produces no symptoms. There is no pain or discharge associated with HPV infection.

• The virus is transmitted through sexual intercourse (oral, vaginal, or anal) and also through the genitals, making skin-to-skin contact or the sharing of sex toys possible transmission methods as well.

• The HPV vaccine, of which there are two types, is highly effective in protecting against the infection. This vaccine can prevent 70 per cent of cervical cancers, 80 per cent of anal cancers, 60 per cent of vaginal cancers, and 40 per cent of cancers of the vulva.

• One type of HPV vaccine – the bivalent – protects against cancers, while another – the quadrivalent, and the more recent, the nonavalent, protect against HPV-related cancer and genital warts. These three vaccines have proven to be highly effective in protecting people against contracting an HPV infection and also cancer by extension. In the case of genital warts, the nonavalent and quadrivalent vaccines have been more effective.

• Even as these vaccines continue to prove effective in the fight against cervical and other gynaecological cancers, Dr Buchanan said that she still recommends a yearly Pap smear screening. This can detect the cancerous changes caused by HPV. In Jamaica, Pap smears are recommended as early as age 18 once you have been sexually active, or within one to three years of starting to have sexual intercourse. HPV vaccines should be encouraged, especially since the detection rate for cancer is approximately 70 per cent.

• The vaccination is administered in two to three doses given over a six to eight-month period in the form of an injection in the arm.

• The HPV vaccine is most effective when administered before the onset of sexual intercourse, as the protection rate against cancer is well above 90 per cent when started early. However, even in women who have been sexually active, the protection levels are high, as there are several strains of the virus that cause cancers such as HPV 16, 18, 45, 33, 39, 51, 52, 56, and most people will get up to three strains of the HPV virus in their lifetime.

• The HPV vaccine is safe. However, there are associated side effects such as fever, pain or irritation at the injection site, flu-like symptoms, and more rarely, dizziness.

• Pregnant women and women who are breastfeeding should not get the vaccine. In women who were vaccinated in early pregnancy prior to the detection of pregnancy, there have been no known foetal developmental defects or any adverse effects on the pregnancy.

• In countries that have extensive vaccination programmes, they have already seen a reduction in cases of genital warts and pre-cancerous lesions of the cervix.