HPV and Cervical Cancer are preventable

Online, March 10, 2010 (Newswire.com) - Human papillomavirus or HPV, a sexually transmitted disease which is known to cause cervical cancer, is an easily preventable disease, with the HPV -16/-18 vaccine, which was approved in South Africa in 2008, theoretically preventing 71% of cervical cancers worldwide, and 67.7% in Africa.

In over 80% of cases, cervical cancer is caused by HPV, and it is estimated that between 60% and 80% of all sexually active individuals may be infected with HPV. Cervical cancer is common among women in South Africa and is the leading cause of cancer deaths with 3,498 fatalities in 2000 alone. Women throughout the world face a crisis with cervical cancer, as it is the second most common cancer amongst women and the principal cause of cancer amongst women in Africa.

At over R2 000 the HP vaccine is expensive, and therefore not freely available to all women. However, African Medical Investment's (AMI) resident gynaecologist, Dr. Snezana Vitosevic argues that modifying ones' sexual behaviour will greatly decrease the risk of infection.

"Changing your lifestyle by having healthy habits can be helpful in prevention, as it will protect and improve your immune system. People can lower their chances of getting HPV by being in a faithful relationship with one partner, limiting their number of sexual partners, using condoms all the time and choosing a partner who has had no or few prior sex partners," she states.

However, she notes that condoms, while substantially lowering risk, may not fully protect against HPV infection. Other factors that can increase the risk of HPV infection include smoking, dietary deficiency of certain vitamins, and women who mix oral contraceptive pills.

Proof of Dr. Vitesevic's point is that women practicing unsafe sex and subsequently contacting HIV/AIDS are at an elevated risk of HPV infection and cervical cancer, and are at least three to five times more likely to be infected as HIV-negative women. In particular, there is an increased probability that HPV infection will become persistent in women living with HIV and evolve into precancerous and cancerous lesions.

Dr. Vitosevic maintains that regular check ups with doctors, pap smears (a screening test to detect cervical cell changes) and treatment of existing infections will prevent HPV from worsening, once contracted. Pap smears are recommended for all women from the age of 18, or from the time they first become sexually active (within a 3 year window period after her first intercourse experience). Vaccines can protect both males and females against some of the most common types of HPV.

HPV DNA follow-up tests are required for women over the age of 30 with ambiguous pap and pathological , when gynaecologists are trying to determine which type of virus caused particular changes. These tests are also are used in the early detection of cervical cancer. Dr. Vitosevic says that the HPV test can identify at least 13 of the high-risk types of HPV associated with the development of cervical cancer, adding that the diagnosis of precancerous or cancerous lesions can only be made after a biopsy is performed.

More than thirty to forty types of HPV are typically transmitted through sexual contact and infect the anogenital region, Dr Vitosevic says. She adds that while genital HPV types are sometimes transmitted from mother to child during birth, the appearance of genital HPV-related diseases in newborns is rare. Furthermore transmission by routes other than sexual intercourse is uncommon for genital HPV infection.
Much like HIV/AIDS, the best way to prevent further infection is to decrease the number of cases and the possibility of viral expression.

"For persons who already have infection and don't have symptoms, we don't use any treatment except measures to improve and maintain a good immune response and immunological status of body. For patients who have symptoms, treatment depends on the grade and severity of the changes that HPV caused," Dr Vitosevic comments.

She says that current research linked to HPV is concentrated on finding an HPV vaccine, implementing it, and considering its possible effects, contra-indications and side effects.

"Since retrospective studies are still relatively new, definitive conclusions have not been made yet. However, up to date results shows that vaccination is effective, and should be used for the majority of a targeted population," she says.

For people desiring to learn more about the disease, Dr Vitosevic suggests that it is best to visit your local doctor, or visit www.amiplc.com for further information. The vaccination is also available at AMI's airport clinic at OR Tambo and Cape Town International Airports.