How to prevent genital, cervical cancer

ANILA, Philippines – The reproductive health bill has caused major uproar from many citizens in the country, especially those who believe that it goes against religion.

However, doctors explain the risks of having unsafe sex. Aside from the unplanned pregnancy which has been one of the major factors that continue to contribute to the ballooning population of the country, unsafe sex also makes people vulnerable to many sexually transmitted diseases.

Most people know about acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) which begins with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), but only few are familiar with another equally grave virus known as human papilloma virus (HPV) which can cause cervical and genital cancer.

Although scientists are still searching for other causes of cancer, current studies have shown that most women who have cervical cancer are infected with HPV.

People who engage in unsafe sex can contract HPV which can lead to cervical cancer. Although there are cases wherein the infection had been eradicated by the immune system, there are cases wherein the virus thrived and developed into a more complex disease.

According to Dr. Ricardo Manalastas Jr., professor and Department of OB-GYN- infectious diseases section chief at the Philippine General Hospital, University of the Philippines (UP), the primary target population for the HPV vaccines in most countries is 10-12-year-old girls because the vaccine is most effective in the age group.

As for men, the risk of acquiring HPV infection seems to be constant across age groups although the peak is from 26 years and above.

Use of safe methods like condoms can be beneficial, but vaccination is more effective.

In other countries, there are catch-up programs for women aged up to 26 years old, while in some countries where the vaccine is not subsidized by public money, regulatory approval has included women up to 55 years as well as males aged 9-26 years.

Manalastas added that in other countries, off-label HPV vaccination is practiced preceded by an informed consent process.

Pregnant patients are not given HPV vaccines for general safety precaution. However, Manalastas stressed that current recommendations also indicate that an HPV vaccine dose inadvertently given to a pregnant woman requires no intervention and that the pregnant recipient should be reassured that this vaccine is not a live virus vaccine.

“Clinical trials have showed no difference in the adverse pregnancy outcomes as well as congenital abnormalities between those given the vaccine inadvertently and those given placebo. If pregnancy interrupts the HPV vaccine regimen, the remaining dose(s) are given right after the pregnancy according to recommended intervals without re-starting the series,” said Manalastas.

Meanwhile, clinical trials targeting people who are infected with HIV (first stage of AIDS) are being currently being conducted.

However, doctors admit that awareness on HPV should be targeted first in order to have a successful implementation of a vaccination program.

“Failure to do so may result in low acceptability and suboptimal coverage. From a practical, clinical standpoint, KAP studies help the clinician understand what will make the patient decide to have herself or her daughter vaccinated. HPV vaccination coverage in a developing country like the Philippines requires an integrated and comprehensive approach that addresses factors influencing vaccine acceptance,” said Dr. Maria Julieta Germar, clinical associate professor at the Department of OB-GYN Gynecologic Oncology Section in Philippine General Hospital, UP.

In a study conducted in a tertiary government hospital, it was found that only 14.4 percent of the respondents has heard of HPV, only 31.8 percent has identified HPV as a specific risk factor for the development of cervical cancer, although more than 56.4 percent think that it is caused by an infection that is sexually transmitted.

Meanwhile, another study suggests that among Filipino parents in an urban hospital, beliefs and attitudes about vaccines may be equally important as knowledge about HPV infection in influencing parental decision to vaccinate. –MITCH ARCEO, Manila Bulletin