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PATIENT PAGE

From the American Cancer Society

Vaccines to Prevent Cervical Cancer

    CERVICAL CANCER FACTS

• The cervix is part of the uterus (or womb). Cancers that start in the cervix are called cervical cancer.
  
• In 2006, about 9,700 women in the United States will develop invasive cervical cancer, and about 3,700 women will die of the disease. Most of the deaths could be prevented if more women had routine tests to find cervical precancers and early cervical cancer.
  
• Cervical cancer is caused by a sexually transmitted virus called the human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is very common, but most HPV infections will not lead to cancer.
  
• New HPV vaccines can prevent most (about 70%) cervical cancers.
  
• Women who are vaccinated still need to continue routine testing.
  

    HPV AND CERVICAL CANCER

Infection with certain types of HPV may lead to changes in the cells of the cervix. Certain changes, called high-grade cell changes, may progress to cervical cancer if not treated.

Most HPV infections go away by themselves and cause no symptoms or cell changes. Having regular Pap tests can find these cell changes before they progress to cancer. If found, these cell changes can be treated. This can prevent them from becoming cervical cancer.

    HPV VACCINES

Recently, vaccines against the most common types of HPV that cause about 70% of all cervical cancers have been developed. Research has shown that HPV vaccines prevent infections from these types of HPV and also prevent high-grade cell changes caused by these types of HPV.

Research also has shown that these vaccines are safe. For the best protection, three doses of the vaccine should be given to girls before they are ever exposed to HPV. Most girls are exposed to HPV soon after they start having sex. The vaccine may not work as well in girls who have already had sex.

    THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY RECOMMENDATIONS

• All girls should be vaccinated against HPV at age 11 to 12 years.
  
• The vaccine can be given to girls as young as 9 years.
  
• The vaccine is also recommended for girls 13 to 18 years old to catch up missed vaccine or complete the 3 doses needed.
  
• Women 19 to 26 years old should talk to their doctor or nurse about whether to get this vaccine.
  
• The vaccine is not recommended for women over age 26 years or for boys or men.
  
• All women who receive the vaccine should continue to have routine Pap tests because the vaccine protects against only the HPV types that cause about 70% of cervical cancers.
  

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