Cervical Cancer vaccines

                     CERVICAL CANCER AND THE VACCINES  

   Cervical cancer is the third most common type of cancer in women worldwide.Cervical cancers start in the cells on the surface of the cervix. There are two types of cells on the cervix's surface: squamous and columnar. Most cervical cancers are from squamous cells.
           
          Cervical cancer usually develops very slowly. It starts as a precancerous condition called dysplasia. This precancerous condition can be detected by a Pap smear and is 100% treatable. It can take years for precancerous changes to turn into cervical cancer.
cervical cancer vaccine
         There are 26 vaccine preventable diseases.Cervical cancer  also can be considered one among them.The cervical cancer vaccine is recommended for girls and boys ages 11 to 12, although it may be given as early as age 9. It's important for boys and girls to receive the vaccine before they have sexual contact and are exposed to HPV(Human papilloma virus) . Once infected with HPV, the vaccine may not be as effective.If not fully vaccinated at ages 11 to 12, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that girls and women through age 26 and boys and men through age 21 receive the vaccine. However, men may receive the HPV vaccine through age 26 if desired.
     
         There are mainly 2 types of vaccines available ie: Gardasil, marketed by Merck, and Cervarix, marketed by GlaxoSmithKline .Gardasil is quadrivalent in nature which  gives protection against the infection caused by HPV type 6, type11(causative agent for genital warts and genital lesions) and type 16 ,type 18.(culprits for cervical cancer).But Cervarix is bivalent in nature and cervarix is designed to prevent infection from HPV types 16 and 18, that cause about 70% of cervical cancer cases.
   Both vaccines are given as a series of three injections over a six-month period. The second dose is given one to two months after the first dose, and the third dose is given six months after the first doses.

Side Effects:

           The most common side effects of both HPV vaccines include soreness at the injection site (the upper arm), headaches, low-grade fever or flu-like symptoms. Sometimes dizziness or fainting occurs after the injection, especially in adolescents. Remaining seated for 15 minutes after the injection can reduce the risk of fainting. In addition, Cervarix may also cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or abdominal pain.

          But  friends, only by taking HPV vaccine you can not protect yourself completely from cervical cancer.you may also be a victim of this dreadful disease .So go for PAP smear screening and prevents the disaster.

                       CANCER -KILL IT BEFORE IT KILLS YOU.......................