{"id":8420,"date":"2024-03-04T10:14:00","date_gmt":"2024-03-04T10:14:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp26.cmswebdeveloper.com\/asian-news\/how-a-vaccination-can-reduce-your-risk-of-cancers-linked-to-hpv\/"},"modified":"2024-03-04T10:14:00","modified_gmt":"2024-03-04T10:14:00","slug":"how-a-vaccination-can-reduce-your-risk-of-cancers-linked-to-hpv","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wp26.cmswebdeveloper.com\/asian-news\/how-a-vaccination-can-reduce-your-risk-of-cancers-linked-to-hpv\/","title":{"rendered":"How a vaccination can reduce your risk of cancers linked to HPV"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination reduces the risk of cervical cancer \u2013 but did you know it also reduces the risk of other HPV related cancers that can also affect boys \u2013 including some head, neck, anal and genital cancers? In this two-part series, learn how cervical screening and HPV vaccination could eliminate cervical cancer<\/a>, or read on to find out how vaccination reduces the risk of cancer in people of all sexes.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anne, a mother of two, made a difficult decision to have a hysterectomy before her 41st<\/sup> birthday. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t really know anything about HPV,\u201d says Anne, when talking about the untreatable human papillomavirus (HPV) infection that was persistently causing high-grade changes to the cells of her cervix, increasing her risk of cervical cancer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI only learned that some types of HPV could lead to certain types of cancer when cervical screening and follow-up tests, revealed I had it. Unfortunately, significant changes to the cells at the neck of my womb had already occurred. I had the changed cells removed, but as I still had HPV, it continued to cause cell changes in the cervix, increasing my risk of cancer.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is HPV?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

HPV<\/a> is a group of common, symptomless viruses affecting the skin. HPV has no cure but often goes away on its own, without causing a problem. However, some forms of HPV can cause cell changes that if left untreated, could become cancerous, leading to cancers such as cervical,<\/a> anal<\/a>, penile<\/a>, vulval<\/a>, vaginal<\/a> and some types of\u00a0 mouth and throat cancers<\/a>. It can also cause genital warts<\/a> which are painless growths in the genital area. \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Dr Jo Ruwende<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dr Jo Ruwende, a consultant in Public Health and the Screening and Immunisation Lead in London, explains that anyone can have HPV and not know it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMost people will get some type of HPV in their life, its symptomless and easily transmitted by intimate skin-to-skin contact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPeople can be surprised to find out they have HPV, especially if they have not been sexually intimate or had a new partner for many years. But HPV can also stay in the body for many years without causing problems.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This was the case for Anne, who says: \u201cI got HPV in a previous relationship that had ended over a decade ago. I didn\u2019t have any visible signs of HPV, so had no way of knowing I had it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reducing the risk of HPV<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Dr Shelha Imtiaz-Umer<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dr Shelha Imtiaz-Umer, is a GP in the Midlands and wants to help people to understand the benefits of HPV vaccination. She says: \u201cIt is important to remember that while treatment is available for problems caused by high-risk forms of HPV, such as cancer or genital warts, we can\u2019t cure HPV.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBut the vaccine offered to our young people, gives protection against infection from many forms of HPV. Reducing their risk of getting HPV-linked cancers of the genital, or mouth and throat areas.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr Ruwende agrees, adding: \u201cThe Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine gives the best and most effective protection against most forms of HPV, reducing the risk of the cancers caused by them. While it doesn\u2019t protect against all forms of HPV it is still a potential life saver for everyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBecause the HPV vaccine does not protect against all types of HPV that can cause cervical cancer, it is important that women who have had the HPV vaccine still come forwards for their cervical screening which uses a test to check for all types of high-risk HPV.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Get your HPV vaccine<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The HPV vaccine is given in a single dose to boys and girls in year 8, either at school or community clinics. Unfortunately, data shows that a lower percentage of boys are vaccinated against HPV than girls. This is something that Dr Ruwende, Dr Imtiaz-Umer and Anne are keen to see change.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr Ruwende says: \u201cAs 99% of cervical cancers are caused by HPV, people might mistakenly think HPV is just something that women and girls need to think about, but it\u2019s for all of our young people, and is vital in protecting against a range of cancers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s important that parents can ask questions about the vaccine, says Dr Imtiaz-Umer: \u201cWhen you get a letter seeking your permission to vaccinate your child against HPV, we are here to help you make an informed decision. If you have any questions or worries, please talk to a health professional you trust.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anne feels relieved that both her son and daughter are vaccinated against HPV: \u201cThe vaccine is safe and alongside cervical screening could make cervical cancer a thing of the past.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe fact it can also protect my son and daughter against so many other cancers made it an easy decision. After what I\u2019ve been through, vaccination made us all feel safer too.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can you have a missed HPV vaccination?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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If you have not been vaccinated against HPV you can still get it free of charge at your GP practice if you are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n