Cervical cancer: Gynaecologist advises women on HPV vaccination

Cervical cancer: Gynaecologist advises women on HPV vaccination
NAN-H-2
Cancer
By Lydia Ngwakwe
Lagos, March 5, 2018 (NAN) Dr Victor Amamasi, a gynaecologist with the Peterhoff Hospital, Ago-Okota, Lagos, on Monday advised women to take the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) early to prevent HPV-related diseases, including cervical cancer.
Amamasi told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that HPV, which is the most common viral infection of the reproductive tract, could be spread from man to woman during sex.
According to him, it is most advisable for females to take the HPV vaccine from age nine, before they become sexually active.
“There is need for every woman to go for regular screening for, as well as take the HPV vaccine, if not already infected.
“HPV is mainly transmitted through sexual contact and most people are infected with HPV shortly after the onset of sexual activity.
“HPV is a group of viruses that are extremely common worldwide and there are over 100 types, of which at least 13 can cause cancer.
“ Two HPV types, the type 16 and 18 are known to cause 70 per cent of cervical cancers and precancerous cervical lesions; there is also evidence linking HPV with cancers of the anus, vulva, vagina and penis.
“While cancer is not infectious, various viruses have been implicated in cancer cases, such as the HPV.
“Also, two other types of HPV, 6 and 11 cause genital warts, a common benign condition of the external genitalia that causes sickness too,’’ he said.
Amamasi said that asides from getting infected through sex, other ways that one can be infected by HPV include through the blood or lymphatic channels.
The gynaecologist described cancer as a malignant tumor that arises from abnormal and uncontrollable division of cells and has the ability to invade and destroy surrounding cells and even far away tissues.
He said that while most HPV infections clear up on their own and, there is a risk for all women who have had HPV infection to become chronic and the pre-cancerous grazes progress to invasive cervical cancer.
According to him, cervical cancer can take up to 15 to 20 years or 5-10 years to develop, depending on the immune system and other existing infections.
On the risk factors for HPV persistence and development of cervical cancer, he said: “Some of the predisposing factors include early first sexual intercourse, having multiple sexual partners and tobacco use.
“It is advised that females get screened early to detect this and if they don’t have it, they should start the HPV vaccine which is structured.
“It is also advisable to give young girls, from the age of nine, the vaccine before they start engaging in any sexual activity,’’ Amamasi said. (NAN)
LED/VIV/MST
Editing by Vivian Ihechu/Muhammad Suleiman Tola