Does HPV Cause Cancer?

The HPV virus is the main cause of cervical cancer, anal cancer, penile cancer and vulvar (external genitalia) cancer. DNA of the HPV virus is found in 99% of cervical cancers. Apart from cancer, HPV causes serious health problems by causing warts (condyloma) on the hands, feet, larynx, anus, penis, vulva and vagina. HPV is a virus that is clearly known to cause cancer

Is there immunity after HPV disease?

HPV enters through microcracks that form during sexual intercourse. Such cracks almost always occur during intercourse. They are smaller than a millimeter, so they cannot be noticed. The virus leaking into the body through the cracks enters the nuclei of the cells and starts to reproduce. The virus does not enter the blood vessels. With the genes it carries, the virus neutralizes the cells that tell the immune system where the virus is located. It can therefore escape from immune cells and white blood cells. The patient does not develop an adequate and long-lasting antibody response to the virus. In addition, the virus can remain dormant in the cells for a long time in a latent state. In cases such as illness and stress that weaken the immune system, it can revive and cause infection.

How can I achieve HPV immunity?

It is possible to achieve permanent immunity against the HPV virus through vaccination. HPV vaccines were first made available in 2006. Since then, they have been approved in more than 100 countries. Many countries include it in their national vaccination schedules and vaccinate girls and boys free of charge. There is no live virus in the vaccine. It contains virus-like particles that are part of the virus. These are vaccines that contain virus-like particles but do not produce the effect of the virus, but only activate the body’s immune system, that is, initiate the production of HPV-type antibodies and make the person resistant to HPV for a long time. It is not possible to get sick with the vaccine, it does not contain virus DNA.

Which diseases does the vaccine protect against?

The vaccine is approved by the European (EMA) and American (FDA) drug authorities. It protects against cervical cancer, vaginal cancer, vulvar cancer (HPV dependent type), penile cancer and anus cancer. It is also effective against warts in the genital area and anus. The protection rate against cervical cancer is 98%.

Who can be vaccinated?

There are no specific barriers to vaccination. It is not recommended for pregnant women. Young girls and boys can be vaccinated after the age of 9. The vaccine is more effective when administered before the first intercourse. If the patient is infected with some types of HPV after intercourse, it is not therapeutic against those types. It is protective against the types it does not catch. The upper limit for vaccination is not certain. It is not recommended after the age of forty-five. Vaccination of boys is recommended for wart protection and prevention of transmission to future partners.

How many doses should I get and where can I get them?

Vaccination is done with 2 doses before the age of 15 and 3 doses at older ages. It can be done at 0. 1. 6. or 0. 2. 6. months.  Short intervals between vaccinations are not recommended. The interval between the first and second dose should be at least one month, and the interval between the second and third dose should be at least 3 months.

The 4-valent vaccine is available from pharmacies. Since the 9-valent vaccine is not yet available in our country, it can be obtained from the Foreign Drug Supply Office of the Chamber of Pharmacists.