The Cervarix vaccine (Manufacturer – GlaxoSmithKline) is aimed at combating high risk HPV strains 16 and 18 that are the offenders for nearly seventy percent of all occurring cervical cancers, and has got the green-light from the FDA to be used in girls and women in the age group of 10-25 years.

HPV is a set of more than hundred related virus forms that could be transmitted via skin contact – inclusive of intercourse –vaginal or anal and could even be transmitted at the time of oral sexual contact. HPV leads to the appearance of genital warts, although several infected individuals could be asymptomatic. Several women contract HPV; however, in majority of the cases, it subsides without being treated. But, among few women it could linger and probably lead to cervical cancer.

In the present year, more than eleven thousand women in the United States could be detected having cervical cancer and nearly four thousand women would face fatality due to the disease. Nearly all the cases (more than ninety-nine percent) of the cervical cancers are linked to HPV. For lowering the chances of contracting HPV infection, doctors suggest women in the young age bracket to delay sex, follow safe sex practices (condom does not offer total safeguard from the infection) and according to the age group must get inoculated.

Gardasil (Manufacturer – Merck) has been joined by Cervarix as the new-fangled HPV vaccine having the FDA nod.

During a study conducted on more than eighteen thousand girls and women in the age of 15-25 years, Cervarix was observed to have an efficacy rate of 93% in averting pre-malignant lesions occurring due to the HPV strains 16 and 18, among those that were administered all three doses of the vaccine at the commencement of the study.

However, Cervarix was ineffective among those that previously had been infected with the HPV strains. The prevalent side effects involve pain, discomfort, reddishness and swell up noted at the jab spot; weariness; headaches; aching muscles and joints; and GI (Gastro-Intestinal distress). The vaccine is administered in a sequence of three jabs spanning over a six-monthly time period.

The certification of Cervarix makes it yet another choice in deterring cervical cancer. It is a potentially life-saving vaccine against cervical cancer and helps in reducing the necessity of going in for biopsies and invasive methods related to the obligatory follow-up arising from irregular Pap Tests.

Gardasil – the other vaccine having the FDA approval, safeguards against HPV-strains 16, 18, 6 and 11 that cause genital warts. Similar to Cervarix, it is administered three times over a span of six months. It was lately approved for use among boys and men in the age bracket of 9 to 26 years to assist in averting genital warts.

Till now these two vaccines have not been compared against each other. The Gardasil vaccine series is available at nearly 360 dollars excluding the doctor’s fee or the cost incurred for administering the injections). GlaxoSmithKline has still not revealed the cost of Cervarix.

The American Cancer Society is reassessing the information on Cervarix. ACS presently suggests that Gardasil be customarily be administered to females in the age group 11-12 and earlier as 9 years at the prudence of the doctors, and concurs that ‘catch-up’ inoculations must be offered to girls between 13-18 years. Women lying between 19-26 years need to discuss with their health care provider regarding the risk of earlier exposure to HPV and probable advantages gained from the inoculation prior to opting for any vaccination.

Pap test Screening

Cervical cancer could be most effectually screened via the Pap test. Getting Pap tests done at regular time intervals mostly aids in detection of changes in the cervical cells prior to them taking a malignant form. The irregular cell changes could be prevented from turning cancerous by undergoing screening at regular intervals and treating cervical cells anomalies could avert the anomalous cell variations from developing into cancer. It is crucial to re-visit the doctor in case of any abnormal outcome of the Pap Test.

Smoking Cessation

Women that smoked were noted to have a greater likelihood of developing alterations in the cervical cells which lead to cervical cancer. The reasons for this change are still quite blurred. However, by stopping smoking this risk could be decreased. Quitting smoking has several other health advantages. Those not smoking additionally had a lower risk of developing other forms of cancers and heart ailments. Also, those exposed to second-hand smoke are also at heightened risk of developing changes in the cervical cells that might cause cervical cancer.

HPV Vaccination

Getting inoculated for the HPV vaccine i.e., Gardasil provides safeguard from four HPV forms that collectively are known to mostly cause cervical cancer and genital warts. The vaccine is administered in three jabs that are given over a span of six months. Girls aged eleven to twelve years old are counselled to take the Gardasil vaccine. The inoculation is additionally suggested for females in the age band of 13-26 years that did not previously get vaccinated when they were younger. Even nine year old girls could be given the vaccine. Research has revealed the safety and effectuality of this vaccine in combating cervical cancer and genital warts.

Lowering the chances of an STD or Sexually Transmitted Disease

STD’s or sexually transmitted diseases mostly leads to anomalous Pap tests and could be the reason behind other grave health conditions. STD prevention is always easier than getting the infection treated subsequent to its occurrence. The most prevalent reason causing cervical cancer is being infected with a high-risk form of HPV (human papillomavirus). As the HPV virus might have a long-standing existence within the body cells, anomalous cervical cells changes that lead to cervical cancer could be the outcome of one of the sexual partners being previously infected with the HPV infection. HPV infection is generally asymptomatic, as either or both of the partners might be unaware of a presently or previously existing HPV infection.

One could lower the risk by:

• Being open with one’s partner regarding STD’s prior to starting off on any sexual relationship. Finding whether the partner is at a heightened risk of contracting STD’s. It could be quite likely that a person might be unknowingly carrying an STD, as certain STD forms could take nearly six months prior to being spotted in the blood.
• Being accountable for one’s actions. Avoiding intercourse when one is symptomatic or are undergoing treatment for an STD.
• Avoiding any kind of intimacy with one who is either symptomatic or having had exposure to an STD.
• Being promiscuous raises the chances of contracting STD’s.
• Using male/female condoms for lowering the chances of developing STD. The use of male condoms during sexual contact has been proven to lower the chances of HPV infection. Female condoms might additionally act as a safeguard, though there is inadequate research regarding this form of protection.

Avoiding sexual contact is the sole and sure means to avert being exposed to STDs. STDs like human papillomavirus or HPV could be transmitted to or from the genital regions, anal, oral areas or throat during sexual contact.