When is the best time to get the HPV vaccine to prevent cervical cancer? page all

photo" data-photolink="http://www.kompas.com/sains/image/2022/02/04/201500323/kapan-waktu-terbaik-lakukan-vaksinasi-hpv-untuk-cegah-kanker-serviks-?page=2" style=" max-width: 100% ; width:750px "> Illustration of cervical cancer.-KOMPAS.com – Cervical cancer or cervix is ​​a disease caused by the HPV virus (Human papilloma virus). The risk of being exposed to the HPV virus increases after a woman is sexually active.

This disease is not contagious, but the virus can be contagious. Prevention cervical cancer from an early age can be done with HPV vaccination.

Obstetrics and gynecology specialist at Pondok Indah Hospital, Dr. dr Bambang Dwipoyono, Sp.OG (K) explained that cancer is characterized by uncontrolled cell division (multiple growth) and the ability to spread (metastasize).

“About 90 percent of women who have had sexual intercourse can contract the virus that causes cervical cancer,” said Bambang in a webinar held by Pondok Indah Group Hospital, Friday (4/2/2022).

Also read: Know Ovarian Cancer: Symptoms, Causes, Types, and Stages

So, when is the right time to get vaccinated against HPV?

Bambang emphasized that the vaccine works best for girls aged 10-14 years, especially those aged 12-13 years, who are not yet sexually active.

The vaccine has been shown to be safe, although some people experience mild side effects such as pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site, which disappear quickly.

Later, the vaccine is given three times over a period of six months.

“Until now there is no information” booster (continued dose), is considered three times administration vaccine HPV, is good enough to protect, “explained Bambang.

According to him, the body’s ability to produce immunity will be better in the age range of 10-14 compared to other age groups.

However, if the vaccination is given to young adults who have never had sexual contact, the results are still quite good.

“HPV Vaccination At the age of 25, for example, those who have not had sexual contact, the results are quite good, although not as good as those aged 10-14 years,” said Bambang.

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Meanwhile, for people who have been sexually active, they can prevent or detect cervical cancer early by doing regular screening.

Screening can be done from five years after being sexually active, by various means such as a pap smear or an HPV test.

Pap smears conventionally can be repeated at least every two years, while the HPV test can be repeated every three years.

“Depending on the technique used, regular Pap smears or HPV. If the conventional pap smear is repeated every two years, if the HPV test is at least three years, Bambang added.

Also read: Get to know Pap Smear, a Procedure to Detect Cervical Cancer

Parents should be more aware of cervical cancer, and as much as possible provide HPV vaccination for girls aged 10-14 years.

For information, cervical cancer in Indonesia is still one of the cancers with the second highest number of sufferers after breast cancer.

According to data released by The Global Cancer Observatory per 2020, new cases of cervical cancer increased by 17.2 percent.

Lack of public awareness to vaccinate and early detection is considered to be the cause of delays in patients getting proper treatment. In fact, if diagnosed at an early stage, the chances of controlling cervical cancer and survival rates can be higher.

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