Cervical Cancer Facts

Prevention | Pap Test | Before You Have Symptoms | Cervical Cancer Vaccine

What Is the Cervical Cancer Vaccine?

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The cervical cancer vaccine (also called the Human Papillomavirus or HPV vaccine) protects against the virus that causes almost all cervical cancers.

Cervical cancer affects almost 10,000 women each year in the United States. Worldwide, cervical cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death in women. The cervical cancer vaccine can save lives, and prevent the fear and the costs related to cervical cancer and abnormal Pap tests.

What’s HPV and How Do You Get It?

HPV is a family of very common viruses that cause almost all cervical cancers, plus a variety of other problems like common warts, genital warts and plantar warts. HPV also causes cancers of the vulva, vagina, anus, and cancers of the head and neck. Women and men become infected with HPV types that cause cervical cancer through sexual intercourse and sexual contact. Most women will be exposed to HPV during their lifetime.

How Can I Protect Myself Against Cervical Cancer?

Regular Pap screening beginning at age 21 or within 3 years of the beginning of sexual activity can detect problems related to HPV infection before cancer develops. And now a new vaccine can provide protection against the HPV virus types that cause 70% of cervical cancer.

If you never get exposed to HPV, you’ll be at extremely low risk for cervical cancer. But, the only sure protection from HPV is lifelong abstinence. Regular condom use can also help prevent spread of HPV infection.

Who Should Get the Cervical Cancer Vaccine?

Guidelines are summarized below:

Routine vaccination is recommended for all 11 and 12 year old girls.
The vaccination series can be started for girls as early as age 9.
Ideally, the vaccine should be given before first sexual contact, but females up to age 26 who are sexually active should still be vaccinated.
Vaccination is recommended for girls and women ages 13 to 26 who have not been previously vaccinated. However, a decision about whether to vaccinate a woman aged 19 to 26 should be made based on an informed discussion between the woman and her healthcare provider regarding her risk of previous HPV exposure and potential benefit from vaccination.

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Why Is the Cervical Cancer Vaccine Recommended for Such Young Girls?

Ideally, females should get the vaccine before they become sexually active. This is because the vaccine is most effective in girls/women who have not yet been exposed to the types of HPV covered by the vaccine. Girls/women who have not been exposed or infected with these types get the full benefit of the vaccine.

Will Sexually Active Females Benefit from the Vaccine?

Females who are sexually active may also benefit from the vaccine. But they may get less benefit from the vaccine since they may already have been exposed or infected with one or more of the HPV types covered by the vaccine.

Why Should I Get the Vaccine? Why Should my Daughter Get the Vaccine?

Consider that cervical cancer most often affects women during their reproductive years. This cancer robs some women of the ability to bear children and threatens the lives of young mothers.

You may not know anyone who has had cervical cancer. But almost every adult woman knows someone who has been treated for Pap test abnormalities. That is because HPV infection is so common. It is a relief that a Pap test can help find early cervical changes when they are treatable.

Now, women have an important additional option for protection. The cervical cancer vaccine takes prevention a giant leap forward by blocking the first step along the pathway to cervical cancer, HPV infection. Vaccination plus regular Pap tests provide the best protection against developing cervical cancer.

How Is the Vaccine Given?

The vaccine is given in the arm or thigh 3 times—at the first visit, 2 months later and 4 months after that. The best protection is achieved after all 3 shots are given. It is not known at this time whether booster shots will be needed later.

Is the Vaccine Safe?

Yes, the studies show that the vaccine is extremely safe. There are no live viruses in the vaccine. The most common side effects are redness and soreness where the shot was given. Headaches (like when you have a cold or fever) are also common. Fever can also occur. Over-the-counter pain and fever medications will help if you have symptoms.

As with any new medication, safety issues will continue to be monitored.

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Are There Girls and Women Who Should Not Get the Vaccine?

You should not be vaccinated if you are acutely ill, if you have a history of allergy to yeast, or if you are pregnant or trying to become pregnant. Risks to an unborn baby are thought to be low, but as with any new medication, there may be unknown risks.

You should get the vaccine if you are in the recommended age group even if you are being treated for an abnormal Pap test or if you’ve had an abnormal Pap test, genital warts or an HPV infection in the past.

Does Insurance Cover the Cost?

While some insurance companies may cover the vaccine, others may not. Most large insurance plans usually cover the costs of recommended vaccines. However, there is often a short lag-time after a vaccine is recommended before it becomes available and is covered by health plans. You need to check with your insurance company. If your insurer has covered other routine childhood vaccinations, the cervical cancer vaccine will likely be covered for girls and women in the recommended age group.

Does the Government Pay for the Vaccine?

Federal health programs such as Vaccines for Children (VFC) cover the vaccine for certain ages. The VCF program provides free vaccines to children and teens under 19 years of age who are either uninsured, Medicaid-eligible, American Indian, or Alaska Native.

What about Vaccination for Boys and Men?

That question is being studied, but at this time the vaccine has only been approved and recommended for girls and women.

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Anything Else?

Please remember that the cervical cancer vaccine does not protect against other sexually transmitted infections. You must still make thoughtful and careful choices about sexual activity.

Remember also that vaccinated women still require regular Pap tests if they have been sexually active. Ask your healthcare provider about the screening schedule that is best for you.

HPV Fact Check:

HPV infection is common in all sexually active people. At least 75% of sexually active people will get HPV at some time in their lives. HPV is most common in young women and men who are in their late teens and early 20s.
Most men and women do not know when they are infected with HPV. There are usually no symptoms. Anyone who has ever had genital contact with another person can get HPV. Both men and women can get it�and pass it on to their sex partners without even realizing it. An abnormal Pap test result is usually a woman’s first clue, but most HPV-infected women do not ever have an abnormal Pap test result.
HPV is a family of very common viruses that cause almost all cervical cancers, plus a variety of other problems like common warts, genital warts and plantar warts. HPV also causes cancers of the vulva, vagina, anus, penis, skin, and cancers of the head and neck.
The most common cancer-causing types of the virus are 16 and 18. This is important to know because these two types alone cause about 70% of all cervical cancer. The cervical cancer vaccine protects against these two types of HPV.
There are over 35 known different HPV types that infect the genital tract and at least 15 of these can lead to cervical cancer.
Recent studies suggest that condoms provide some protection against the HPV infection. However, since condoms do not cover all areas that can be the source of the spread of HPV, they do not offer complete protection. However, in addition to HPV protection, they do reduce the risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted disease when used all the time and in the right way.
The only sure way to prevent HPV is to abstain from all sexual activity. Sexually active adults can reduce their risk by being in mutually faithful relationship with someone who has had no other or few sex partners, or by limiting their number of sex partners. But even persons with only one lifetime sex partner can get HPV if their partner has had previous partners.

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