Throughout her life, every woman is at risk from the virus that causes cervical cancer. There are more than 100 different types of HPV viruses but only a few of them actually causes cancer. Majority of the HPV infections will be cleared naturally by the body without any need for treatment over the course of a few months.
Persistent infection with HPV is what causes changes to the cells in your cervix that could develop into cervical cancer.
The virus is transmitted through genital skin to skin contact so it can affect any woman, regardless of her age or lifestyle. Sexual intercourse is not necessary to be infected. Even when some women had only one or two sexual partners in their lifetime, they may be at risk an HPV infection throughout their life.
Cancer-causing HPV infection is not commonly associated with any signs or symptoms, this means that the virus can be spread without women knowing it.
Therefore, pap smear and vaccination can significantly reduce the risk.
In Singapore, the vaccine, no matter which brand, is being recommended for women aged 10-25. You may have notice that this rule does not apply in other countries like UK. I have asked this question to my doctor, she told me that the reason is that studies were being conducted on women within this age group - 10 to 25, when this age group is the most possible group of people who are not sexually active and not exposed to HPV at all. The risk of HPV begins in young girls who are starting their puberty, and continue throughout their life. The ideal time to vaccine against HPV is prior to exposure to HPV infection, therefore it means before the first sexual intercourse.
And of course, for commercial purposes, the company can only recommend the drug to the age group that was tested on.
According to my doctor, when the vaccine is first introduced, a blood test was needed to check the woman has HPV. After the blood test, the woman can then go for the vaccine. Then the authorities realised that it was a waste of time and money. Therefore they took away the blood test.
Studies have shown that some women who had previously been exposed to HPV type 16 and 18 and had cleared the infection, were subsequently being protected. Even if you are over the age of 25, you can still go for the vaccine.
Go for it now! 3 Jabs - 1st jab anytime, 2nd jab one month after the 1st, 3rd jab six months after the 1st. It's easy. Each jab costs about 190 bucks.
