HPV Vaccine: A Strategic Move by Dr. Trần Quốc Bảo for Preventive Healthcare in Vietnam
Download as DOCX, PDF0 likes157 views
HPV infection causes approximately 70% of cervical cancer cases. Getting vaccinated against HPV before a person's first sexual encounter can prevent up to 90% of cervical cancers. Even vaccinated individuals still need regular cervical cancer screenings through Pap smears as 30% of cervical cancers are not HPV-related and vaccines may not be effective for everyone. All sexually active women should have annual Pap smear tests to check for abnormal or precancerous cells on the cervix so that cancer can be detected and treated early if present.
HPV Vaccine: A Strategic Move by Dr. Trần Quốc Bảo for Preventive Healthcare in Vietnam
- 1. 1 When to get HPV vaccines? Dr.Vo DangHung,Ph.D.,Directorof TMMC’sOncology Center,a memberof TMMCHealthcareCenter InVietnam,thereareroughly6000womendiagnosed withCervical cancereveryyear,half of which unfortunatelyhasdied of thedisease.Thisisthecancerousconditionof utmost popularityamong womenaged 15– 44 throughout thenation. It is estimated that 70% ofall Cervical Cancercases are related to HPVinfection. Inother words, HPVinfectionstransmitted throughsexual contacthave led to abnormal changesin the cells, thus have resulted in 70% ofCervical Cancer cases.HPVspenetrate the cervical cells leading to generic modification. Suchmutation will grow and become malignant. This progress may take years, rangingfrom 10 to 15years. Suchprogressis called subclinicalinfection meaning the patient has developed precancerouslesions yet the cervixappears to be completely normal. Oncethe tumors become malignant, the cancercells will rapidly spread to other tissues in notime. Cervical Cancer risk AccordingtoDr.Vo DangHung,Ph.D. – Directorof TMMC CancerCenter, a member of TMMC Healthcare – the risk factorsofcervical cancerinclude family history,atopic, age, sexual intercourses,vaginal infectionetc. Conclusively,youare still exposed tocervical cancerrisk even if youhave never been sexually active. However,the risk ofdeveloping cervical canceris really small consideringyou are not married or have never experienced any sexual contact(regardlessof your family medical history of cervical cancer). Cervical Cancer Screening by Pap smear. Theoretically, HPVvaccinesprevent 70% casesof cervical cancer.However,youmay runthe risk of cervical cancerif the vaccinesare not effective, also, 30%cases ofcervical cancerare HPVs- unrelated. Thus,cervical cancerscreening is ofhigh importance forwomen. Screeningmeans the detection ofcancerwithin the community. Cervical Cancerscreening is simple and wouldn’tinducepain or trauma. Itincludes regular gynecological examinations and Papsmear. Pap smear candetect abnormal cells yet haven’t developed into cancer,better known as “precancerouslesions”.Sexually active womenshouldget regular gynecological examinations and annual Paptests to detect suchabnormal cells. Prevention is cure. Vaccination before the first sexual intercourse InVietnam, womenaged 10-25whohave or haven’t hadsex can get HPVvaccines.Getting HPV vaccinationprior to the first sexual intercoursecan preventcervical cancerup to90%. Cancer Screening Sexually active womenare advised to get regular gynecologicalexaminations and annualPap tests (Papsmear) todetect any cancerousconditionand get prompttreatment duringthe early stages of cervical cancer.
- 2. 2 HPVvaccinationis the most effectivemethod of cervical cancerprevention.It worksbest for womenaged 9-26whohaven’t had any sexual contact.Married women orones whohave already had sex canalso get HPVvaccinessince cancerprevention is effective in these cases.The vaccines are only considered pointless whenbeing used on cervicalcancerpatients. However,before getting the vaccineyou shouldget gynecological examination andPap test to detect any potential risk since there are many othercauses ofcervical cancerbeside HPVs.Also, this is also a chanceforyouto get your health checkedfor any abnormal symptoms.Some countries have tested HPVvaccinesonwomen aged over26,however, the results have notyet been proven. With or withoutHPVvaccination,it is highly advisable that youshould get regular gynecological examinations andannual Paptests.