Cervical cancer is a type of cancer that develops in the lower part of the uterus that opens into the vagina. The cervical cancer is the 3rd most common cancer affecting Malaysian women. About 99.7% of cervical cancer is caused by persistent high-risk Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection. However, most HPV infection are eliminated by the immune system.
For those whom have persistent HPV infection, early detection of abnormal cervical cells changes can warrant suspicions of cancer and lead to immediate treatment. In doing so, cervical cancer is preventable.
Below are the summary of the article:
Cervical cancer is preventable.
Having high-risk HPV does not mean that you will have cancer.
HPV vaccination is used as early preventive measures of HPV infection.
Cervical pap smears and HPV co-testing is recommended despite vaccination
1. Cervical cancer is preventable.
The development of early abnormal cervical cells into cancerous cervical cells is a slow process. It usually takes up to 10 years or more to develop.
Routine cervical pap smear and HPV co-testing are used to detect early abnormal cervical cancer. The detection of early abnormal cells may warrant further evaluation through colposcopy. Colposcopy enables your doctor to decide the next step of your treatment, which may be immediate treatment or for closer surveillance.
This ultimately prevents cervical cancer developing from these abnormal cells.
2. Having high-risk HPV does not mean that you will have cancer.
HPV infection is so common, as it easily spread by genital skin to skin contact during sexual intercourse. In fact, 90% of women and men will have had HPV in their lifetime. However, HPV is most often cleared by the immune system. In cases of persistent infection with high risk HPV, normal cervical cells slowly develops into cancerous cells.
As this development is slow, the presence of HPV infection does not necessarily means you will definitely have cancer.
3. HPV vaccination is used as early preventive measures of HPV infection.
HPV vaccination is given in 3 doses. It is recommended for 11 and 12 years old girls. It is also recommended for girls and women within the age of 13 to 26 years old who have not been vaccinated or completed the vaccine series.
It is recommended to be given ideally prior to being sexually active. However, females who are sexually active may also benefit from the vaccination as there are many strains of HPV.
4. Cervical pap smears and HPV co-testing recommended despite vaccination
The HPV vaccination confers long-lasting protection, but not life-long. Current studies have shown that vaccinated individuals are protected up 6 to 10 years.
Current HPV vaccines does not protect against ALL HPV types. There is still some cervical cancers that are not prevented by the vaccine. Due to this, it is very important for women to continue getting screened for cervical cancer.
Despite being vaccinated, it is still recommended to have your routine pap smear tests once you’re sexually active.
In Malaysia, there is a HPV self-screening services available under a project led by University Malaya Medical Centre. For more information, please visit https://www.programrose.org/cervical-cancer-hpv
Informative Validated Resources
Human Papillomavirus Vaccination Fact Sheet
Health Professional Reference for cervical cancer prevention
Malaysia’s Resource for HPV Information
Image source : https://www.cancer.nsw.gov.au/cervical-screening-nsw/cervical-cancer/about-cervical-cancer
Please be aware that the contents of my blog are based on current available evidence, as to date from the time the entry is written. Good practise and expert advise is very much an evolving situation and the available evidence may be updated after this content is written.
Please take note that the content of my blog does not constitute formal medical advice. If you have any concerns regarding your health, please consult your physician.
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