Cervical Cancer: How can we prevent cancer of the cervix? Gardasil - HPV Vaccine

Strategies for the introduction of human papillomavirus vaccination: modelling the optimum age- and sex-specific pattern of vaccination in Finland.

Authors:

1Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College, Norfolk Place, Paddington, London, W2 1PG, UK. Phase III trials have demonstrated the efficacy of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines in preventing transient and persistent high-risk (hr) HPV infection and precancerous lesions. A mathematical model of HPV type 16 infection and progression to cervical cancer, parameterised to represent the infection inFinland, was used to explore the optimal age at vaccination and pattern of vaccine introduction. In the long term, the annual proportion of cervical cancer cases prevented is much higher when early adolescents are targeted. Vaccinating against hr HPV generates greater long-term benefits if vaccine is delivered before the age at first sexual intercourse. However, vaccinating 12 year olds delays the predicted decrease in cervical cancer, compared to vaccinating older adolescents or young adults. Vaccinating males as well as females has more impact on the proportion of cases prevented when vaccinating at younger ages. Implementing catch-up vaccination at the start of a vaccination programme would increase the speed with which a decrease in HPV and cervical cancer incidence is observed.

Q 21. 1 What is the cervix?
Q 21. 2 What is a cervical polyp?
Q 21. 4  What is the transformation zone?
Q 21. 5 What is a 'Paptest' (PAP test (cervical smear) test)
Q 21. 6  My PAP smear test (cervical smear) shows inflammation. Should I be worried?
Q 21. 7  What are cells and what is an abnormal (pre- malignant) cell?
Q 21. 8 My PAP smear test (cervical smear) shows abnormal cells. Does this mean that I have cancer?
Q 21. 9  What is meant by the terms pre-malignant cells, dyskaryosis, dysplasia and CIN?
Q 21. 10  What are the symptoms of pre-malignancy of the cervix?
Q 21. 11  What are benign and malignant tumours?
Q 21. 12  Why have I developed a pre-malignant condition of my cervix?
Q 21. 13  What is colposcopy?
Q 21. 14  What treatments are available for pre-malignant conditions of the cervix?
Q 21. 15  Can pre-malignant conditions of the cervix be cured?
Q 21. 16  How can I be re-assured that the pre-malignant changes will not recur?
Q 21. 17  How can we prevent carcinoma of the cervix?
Q 21. 18  Is there a reason to screen for HPV?
Q 21. 19  Support Groups.
Q 21. 20  Are there any support groups?

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