Cervical tumor is in second place among the female population under 45 years of age in terms of the frequency of degeneration into malignant tumor diseases. The first is breast cancer. Of course, the topic of serious diseases of the reproductive system, and especially the possibility of their prevention, worries modern women, as well as parents of school-age girls. In this article, you can get acquainted with the predisposing risk factors for the occurrence of a tumor, learn about vaccination and how girls are vaccinated against cervical cancer, reviews and opinions about it.
Risk factors and causes of cancer
Studies have shown that one of the most common causes of cervical tumors is the presence of a history of human papillomavirus (HPV) in women, the infection of which occurs mainly through sexual contact. The use of protective equipment during intercourse will not protect against infection, as the virus is able to enter through the pores in the latex. Transmission can also occur through infection on the lips and skin. The virus may not manifest itself in any way and wait for favorable conditions,such as immunosuppression. He may prove himself decades later.
In the early stages, this disease is successfully treated, so high-quality and timely diagnosis is so important. Risk factors (except for the human papillomavirus, which, once introduced, can cause cell mutations) for the occurrence of a cervical tumor are:
- sex life that started too early, early pregnancy (due to the immaturity of the uterine walls);
- promiscuous sex life with frequent change of partners;
- smoking (due to carcinogens in cigarette smoke);
- infections and fungal diseases;
- incorrectly selected hormonal contraceptives;
- long-term diets, poor nutrition with lack of vitamins.
Every year, the World He alth Organization records approximately 500,000 cases of the disease, and about 7 million people infected with the human papillomavirus. In Russia every year 8 thousand cases of the disease end in the death of a woman. Therefore, scientists and physicians are actively researching, developing and implementing methods of combating and preventing this dangerous and such a common disease. One of them is the cervical cancer vaccine.
How to vaccinate against cervical cancer
The vaccine is a means of prevention, and, of course, its action is not aimed at treating an already existing tumor. Since women with cervical cancer have been found to have been infected with the human papillomavirus, the vaccine aims to prevent infection.
The vaccine, according to statistics, reduces the risk of developing the virus in eight out of ten cases. Vaccine prophylaxis has been introduced and actively used in more than sixty countries of the world. Some states have included it in the national vaccination calendar. There is already encouraging evidence from successful cervical cancer vaccination practices.
For example, in Australia, the state actively promotes vaccination against cervical cancer as well. The country as a whole has a fairly extensive list of mandatory vaccines for its population. Australia uses the media to disseminate information, and there is also a system of restrictions on the payment of social benefits for unreasonable refusal of vaccinations.
Since 2007, 12-year-old schoolgirls have been vaccinated here. Girls under 26 could get vaccinated against cervical cancer for free. After four years, the results were summed up and a decrease in cases of precancerous stages of cervical tumors in young women was found, and there were no more cases of anogenital warts. After five years since the start of this program, doctors have decided to vaccinate boys under 14 years of age to prevent genital cancer and reduce the spread of anogenital warts in the population.
Where to get vaccinated against cervical cancer
In some regions of Russia, since 2008, there are also prevention programs. WHO has been recommended to vaccinate girls in schools. However, vaccination is carried out in childrenclinics and free of charge only in some regions. For a fee, it can be done at medical clinics and vaccination centers. Maybe that is why the percentage of vaccinated people among the population of our country is very small.
In world practice, two vaccines are used: bivalent - "Cervarix" - and quadrivalent - "Gardasil".
Recommended vaccination age
The recommended age for cervical cancer vaccination is 12-14 years old (according to WHO), but 10-13 years old is increasingly being recommended. Since papillomavirus is sexually transmitted, it is most effective to get vaccinated before the onset of sexual activity. In addition, an injection is also given to young girls aged 16-25 years, then the vaccine is prescribed on the recommendation of a doctor.
Studies are not yet complete, but preliminary data suggests that vaccination at a later age may be justified. Vaccinations against cervical cancer form cross-protection against other oncogenic viruses, cervical dysplasia, and also contribute to an easier course and effective therapeutic treatment of genital cancer.
Gardasil and Cervarix
Both drugs are approved for use in Russia, their action is aimed at preventing infection with various strains of HPV.
Intramuscular suspension "Gardasil" was developed by a well-known pharmaceutical company, created using the latest genetic engineering technologies. The vaccine is quadrivalent, which means it protects against four types of the virus. At the moment, there is already a nine-valent injection of Gardasil. Such a broad action made it possible to use the drug not only for the prevention of genital warts, but also for the prevention of tumor diseases of the female and male genital organs.
"Cervarix" is a bivalent drug, its action is aimed at two main oncogenic forms of HPV, developed by a British pharmaceutical company. The action of the main components in this suspension is enhanced by the AS04 adjuvant system, which causes a prolonged immune response to vaccination. Like Gardasil, it is administered intramuscularly only.
In these vaccines, there are no living or dead microorganisms, but only parts of the protein shells of the virus that are not able to multiply, necessary for the body to develop immunity to the human papillomavirus. Therefore, the drugs are safe, and side effects such as HPV infection and infertility cannot be caused by the cervical cancer vaccine.
Drug regimens
Both drugs can only be administered intramuscularly. The injection site is the shoulder or outer thigh. Both vaccines are administered three times.
- "Gardasil" in a volume of 0.5 ml on the first day and 2 times again after 2 and 6 months from the first vaccination in the same volume. There is an accelerated course of administration - one month after the primary vaccination and then 3 months after the second vaccination.
- "Cervarix" is also injected three times in 0.5 ml, revaccination is not needed due to the content of the adjuvant. Vaccinate with the first dose on any chosen day, then after 1a month and six months after the first injection.
Vaccines come in vials or in sterile syringes, in the form of suspensions, which means that when the package is opened, there are 2 layers in the vial (a white precipitate and a light liquid) that mix with vigorous shaking. There should be no foreign inclusions in the vial, you should check whether the drug was stored correctly and whether the expiration date has expired.
Features of reactions to vaccination
The side effects of these vaccines are almost the same as most vaccines. Manifested in local and general reactions:
- the injection site may become red or slightly swollen, thickened;
- allergic reaction in the form of skin rashes and itching;
- body temperature may rise, feeling weak, headache and dizziness;
- from the gastrointestinal tract, reactions such as nausea, epigastric pain, vomiting are likely.
To begin with, it is better to visit a gynecologist, take the necessary tests and discuss with the doctor whether this vaccine is suitable for your child. After the procedure, it is better to be under the supervision of a doctor for 30 minutes and report any negative reactions.
Treatment of adverse reactions is symptomatic: antipyretic, antiallergic drugs. They usually go away after a few days.
Contraindications
Like any drug, vaccines have contraindications for use:
- individual intolerance to components orsevere allergic reaction to the first injection;
- exacerbation of chronic diseases;
- increased body temperature, inflammation;
- poor blood clotting is a relative contraindication.
During pregnancy and also for children under 9 years of age, the drug should not be used, since its effect on this group of patients has been poorly studied.
Vaccination opinions: pros and cons
Of course, the cervical cancer vaccine was introduced not so long ago, and the controversy around it continues to this day. After all, it is known that 15-20 years can pass from infection with papillomas to their transition to a tumor, and, therefore, sufficient time has not passed since its introduction to speak with confidence about a positive result.
Vaccination does not give a 100% lifelong guarantee of protection against tumors, because, firstly, it can be caused by other reasons, and secondly, the preparations contain protection against the main strains of HPV, but, as you know, not all.
An unconditional positive point, based on the opinions of experts on the vaccination against cervical cancer, is that the early introduction of this vaccine to girls guarantees protection against human papillomavirus disease. The number of women with cervical cancer is only increasing every year, and vaccine prevention is the only way to prevent the disease today.
Cervical cancer vaccine reviews
Based on the opinions that people express on the Internet, we can conclude thatawareness of this vaccination among the population of our country is very low. Basically, these are people who are categorically against any vaccinations. They refer to dubious sources that talk about side effects in the form of accumulation of heavy metals, infertility after vaccinations, about the "conspiracy" of American medicine, etc.
The opinion of people who had a history of HPV, the threat of cervical cancer through the female line, is unambiguously positive, they made this vaccine for themselves and in the future for their daughters. Also interesting about the vaccination against cervical cancer are the reviews of our citizens living abroad (in the USA, Germany, Australia). In these countries vaccination is routinely given as soon as the girls have reached the age suitable for vaccination. They believe that the threat of cancer is much more serious than the possibility of side effects, and no negative effects have been identified in their environment.
In closing
Whether or not to use the vaccine to prevent this type of cancer is up to the child's parents or the woman herself. In any case, you should consult with specialists, such as a pediatrician, gynecologist, oncologist. Find out the level of risk of infection, a family history of the incidence of tumor diseases of the genital organs.
