A cervical tumor is in second place among the female population under 45 years of age in the frequency of degeneration into malignant tumor diseases. In the first place is a breast tumor. Of course, the topic of serious diseases of the reproductive system, and especially the possibility of preventing them, is of concern to modern women, as well as parents of girls of school age. In this article, you can familiarize yourself with the predisposing risk factors for the occurrence of a tumor, learn about vaccine prophylaxis 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 tumor 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, since the virus is able to penetrate through the pores in latex. Transmission can also occur through infection on the lips and skin. The virus may not manifest itself and wait for favorable conditions, for example, weakened immunity. He can prove himself after decades.
In the early stages, this disease is successfully treated, therefore, high-quality and timely diagnosis is so important. Risk factors (except for the human papillomavirus, which, when introduced, can cause cell mutations) of a cervical tumor are:
- sexual life that began too early, early pregnancy (due to the immaturity of the walls of the uterus);
- promiscuous sex with frequent change of partners;
- smoking (due to carcinogens in cigarette smoke);
- infections and fungal diseases;
- improperly selected hormonal birth control drugs;
- long diets, poor nutrition with a lack of vitamins.
Each year, the World Health Organization records approximately 500,000 cases of the disease, and about 7 million people infected with human papillomavirus. In Russia, every year, 8 thousand cases of the disease end in the death of a woman. Therefore, scientists and doctors are actively researching, developing and introducing methods of control and prevention against this dangerous and such a widespread ailment. One of them is a vaccine against cervical cancer.
How to vaccinate against cervical cancer
A vaccine is a preventative measure, and, of course, its effect is not aimed at treating an existing tumor. Since it was found that women with cervical cancer were infected with the human papillomavirus, the vaccine aims to prevent infection with it.
The vaccine, according to statistics, reduces the risk of developing the virus in eight out of ten cases. Vaccination is implemented and is 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 vaccines.
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. The media are attracted to Australia to disseminate information, and there is a system of restrictions on the payment of social benefits in case of unreasonable refusal of vaccinations.
Since 2007, they began to vaccinate 12-year-old schoolgirls here. Girls under 26 could be vaccinated against cervical cancer for free. After four years, they summed up and found a decrease in cases of precancerous stages of cervical tumors in young women, and there were no more cases of anogenital warts. After five years from the beginning of this program, doctors decided to vaccinate boys under 14 years old to prevent genital cancer and reduce the spread of anogenital warts in the population.
Where to get a cervical cancer vaccine
Since 2008, there are also prevention programs in some regions of Russia. WHO was recommended to vaccinate girls in schools. However, vaccination is carried out in children's clinics and is free only in some regions. It can be paid for in 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: divalent - Cervarix - and tetravalent - Gardasil.
Recommended Vaccination Age
The recommended age for vaccination against cervical cancer is 12-14 years (according to WHO), but more often now they recommend the age of 10-13 years. Since papillomavirus is sexually transmitted, it is most effective to get vaccinated before sexual activity begins. 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 have not yet been completed, but according to preliminary data, vaccination at a later age may be warranted. Vaccinations against cervical cancer form a 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.
Gardasil intramuscular suspension was developed by a well-known pharmaceutical company, created using the latest genetic engineering technologies. The vaccine is tetravalent, which means that it protects against four types of virus. At the moment, there is already a nine-valent injection of Gardasil. Such a wide action allowed the use of 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 divalent 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 adjuvant system AS04, which causes a prolonged immune response to vaccination. Like Gardasil, it is administered only intramuscularly.
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 such side effects as HPV infection and infertility cannot be vaccinated against cervical cancer.
Drug Administration
Both drugs can only be administered intramuscularly. The injection site is the shoulder or the outer surface of the thigh. Both vaccines are administered three times.
- Gardasil in a volume of 0.5 ml on the first day and 2 times repeatedly after 2 and 6 months from the first vaccination in the same volume. There is an accelerated course of administration - one month after the initial vaccination and then 3 months after the second vaccination.
- “Cervarix” is also administered three times in 0.5 ml each, revaccination is not necessary due to the adjuvant content. Vaccinate with the first dose on any selected day, then 1 month and six months after the first injection.
Vaccines are 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 bottle (white precipitate and light liquid) that mix with vigorous shaking. The bottle should be free of foreign matter, you should check whether the drug was stored properly and if the expiration date has expired.
Features of vaccination reactions
Side effects from these vaccines are almost the same as with most vaccines. Manifested in local and general reactions:
- the injection site may turn red or swell slightly, thicken;
- an allergic reaction in the form of skin rashes and itching;
- body temperature may rise, there is a feeling of weakness, pain in the head and dizziness;
- from the gastrointestinal tract, reactions such as nausea, epigastric pain, and vomiting are likely.
To begin with, it is better to visit a gynecologist, take the necessary tests and discuss with your 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, anti-allergic drugs. As a rule, after a few days they pass.
Contraindications
Like any drug, vaccines have contraindications for use:
- idiosyncrasy of components or severe allergic reaction to the first injection;
- exacerbation of chronic diseases;
- increased body temperature, inflammation;
- relative contraindication is poor blood coagulation.
During pregnancy and also children under 9 years of age, the drug should not be used, since its effect on this group of patients is poorly understood.
Vaccination Opinions: Pros and Cons
Of course, a vaccine against cervical cancer appeared not so long ago, and debates around it continue to this day. After all, it is known that 15-20 years can pass from infection with papillomas to their transition into a tumor, and, therefore, sufficient time has not passed from its introduction to speak with confidence about a positive result.
Vaccination does not give a 100% lifetime guarantee of protection against the tumor, because, firstly, it can be caused by other reasons, and secondly, the drugs contain protection against the main HPV strains, but, as you know, not all.
An unconditional positive point, based on the reviews of specialists on vaccination against cervical cancer, is that the early administration of this vaccine to girls provides a guarantee of protection against human papillomavirus disease. The number of women with cervical cancer is only increasing annually, and vaccine prevention is the only way to prevent the disease today.
Cervical Cancer Inoculation Reviews
Judging by the opinions that people express on the Internet, we can conclude that the awareness of this vaccine among the population of our country is very low. Basically these are people who are categorically against any vaccinations. They refer to dubious sources, which speak of side effects in the form of accumulation of heavy metals, infertility after vaccinations, the "conspiracy" of American medicine, etc.
The opinion of people who had a history of HPV, the threat of cervical cancer in the female line, is unambiguously positive, they made this vaccine for themselves and their daughters in the future. Also of interest about vaccination against cervical cancer are the reviews of our citizens living abroad (in the USA, Germany, Australia). These mills are vaccinated routinely 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 likelihood of side effects, and no negative consequences have been identified in their environment.
Finally
Whether or not a vaccine is used to prevent this type of cancer is decided by 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 genital tumor diseases.