Poonam Pandey dies of cervical cancer at 32: Why every young girl must take the HPV vaccine

What causes cervical cancer?

Abnormal cells start growing and clustering around the cervix, which is the lower, narrow end of the uterus that connects to the vagina. It is caused by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), which is transmitted during sex. Although the virus is removed by the body’s immune system, if it’s a high risk one, like HPV 16 or HPV 18, the chances of it remaining stubborn and causing cancer jump. There are 200 HPV viruses that sexually active people are infected with at some point in their lives. That doesn’t mean that all will develop cancer but a vaccine is needed to eliminate any risk.

What are signs and symptoms?

No discernible symptoms in the early stages. In the later stages, patient reports unusual vaginal bleeding, including post-coital bleeding, bleeding between periods or after menopause, watery or foul-smelling vaginal discharge and pelvic pain.

How to detect cervical cancer?

A Pap test can detect cancer cells and should be taken by every girl who is entering adulthood, upwards of 20, along with screening intervals ranging from three to five years.

How to prevent cervical cancer?

Cervical cancer is preventable and curable if you get vaccinated against the HPV virus. India now has its own HPV vaccine, Cervavac, which targets four types of HPV infections and should be taken by girls between the ages of nine and 14.

At present, it is commercially available at a cost of Rs 2,000 per dose.

How does the vaccine work?

Quadrivalent vaccines prevent the entry of HPV 16, 18, 6 and 11, the four of the most common types of HPV. In this way, they prevent infections, genital warts and eventually cancer. Universal immunisation of girls is recommended.

What is the current evidence on the vaccine?

Over 100 countries with HPV vaccination programmes have seen a decline in cervical cancer cases. By late 2000s, evidence emerged that vaccination reduced the incidence of pre-cancerous lesions. In 2020 and 2021, studies from Sweden and England also demonstrated that vaccination in teenage years could reduce the risk of cervical cancer by over 85 per cent at age 30.