- Causes and risk factors for cervical cancer include Human PapillomaVirus (HPV) infection, having multiple sexual partners, smoking, taking birth control pills and engaging in early sexual intercourse.
- HPV infection may cause cervical dysplasia, or abnormal growth of cervical cells.
- Regular pelvic exams and Pap smear testing can detect precancerous changes in the cervix.
- Precancerous changes in the cervix is a treatable disease with cryosurgery, cauterization, or laser surgery.
- Please consult your medical doctor if you have such signs and symptoms which can be associated cervical cancer:
- abnormal vaginal bleeding
- increased vaginal discharge
- bleeding after going through menopause
- painful sexual intercourse
- pelvic pain
- The fact that HPV DNA was detected in 93% of cervical tumours showed the strong correlation between Human Papillomavirus and cervical cancers. Thus, preventing HPV infection via vaccination would significantly reduce cervical cancers.
Which vaccines are available in Malaysia to prevent HPV infection?
- GARDASIL
- GARDASIL 9 (Human Papillomavirus 9-valent Vaccine, Recombinant)
- CERVARIX
What are the differences between CERVARIX vs GARDASIL vs GARDASIL 9?
Indication for GARDASIL 9 (Human Papillomavirus 9-valent Vaccine, Recombinant):
- Females from 9 to 26 years old for the prevention of cervical, vulvar, and anal cancers caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) Types 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58; precancerous or dysplastic lesions caused by HPV Types 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58; and genital warts caused by HPV Types 6 and 11.
- Males from 9 to 26 years old for the prevention of anal cancer caused by HPV Types 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58; precancerous or dysplastic lesions caused by HPV Types 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58; and genital warts caused by HPV Types 6 and 11.
How is Gardasil 9 given?
- A total of 3 doses of vaccination are given.
- The first and second dose is given 1 month apart.
- The third dose is given 6 months after the first dose.
