Live Life Team
With effect from September 2008, A nationwide programme to provide vaccination for girls between 12-13 years of age against HPV (Human papilloma virus). HPV vaccine will also be offered to girls between the ages of 13-18 in a campaign of three years. Secondary schools will be targeted through this programme and it consists of injections which are three in number given within six months period.
Human papilloma virus (HPV)
A family of viruses that largely affect moist membrane lining in your body like throat, mouth, anus, and cervix and also the skin, this membrane are known as mucosa. The name of the virus family is Human papilloma virus (HPV). HPV virus come in more than 100 various types out of which at least 40 affect genital area. They are classified as low and high risk categories.
What HPV infection can do
Infection caused by HPV at times results in growth of tissue abnormally and cell changes leading to cervical cancer. Few other type of HPV causes genital warts. HPV infection of some type can result in mild problems like verrucas and skin warts.
During sexual intercourse about 30 varieties of HPV are transferred inclusive those which result in genital warts and cervical cancer. In UK genital warts are very common amongst infections which are sexually transmitted. Vulval cancer and vaginal cancer can be linked to HPV infection in few cases.
Cervical screening
The twelfth common cancer in UK is cervical cancer. Around the world it stands second. The risk factor to develop cervical cancer in women in UK is 1 in every 116. It takes about 10-20 years for developing cervix cancer and about 1000 women die in UK each year due to this. Screening of cervical cancer results in abnormalities in approximately 200000 women each year, and about 2800 women are diagnosed each year with this condition. Screening at regular intervals of cervical is an appropriate way to check for any abnormal changes in cervix cells. With the introduction of nationwide HPV vaccination, NHS screening programme for cervical cancer will always play an pivotal role in diagnosing women between age group of 25-65 years for initial stages in cell change.
Why is HPV vaccination necessary
Human papilloma virus vaccination protects against few types of HPV.
High risk types of HPV
HPV18 and HPV 16 are highly common type of HPV and come with high risk factor. They cause squamous cell cancer in more than 70% cases and are very common variety of cervical cancer. Flat cells covering outer surface of cervix, which is above the vagina develop squamous cell cancer. If HPV infection risk is not dealt by the immune system it results in abnormal growth and cell changes of cells that are precancerous in the cervix. It is also called as CIN (cervical intraepithelial neoplasia). CIN isn’t cancerous but if untreated can cause cancer in few women and develops in 20-10 years. HPV-18 causes about 50% of adenocarcinomas another type of cervical cancer. It develops from glandular cells that line cervical canal. Around 95% are squamous cell and adenocarcinomas are balance 5% in cervical cancer.
Low risk types of HPV
HPV11 and HPV 16 are HPV types with low risk. They cause 90% cases in genital warts. The chances for cervical cancer are very low as genital warts do not encourage development of cervical cancer.
