Chances are you’ve heard of the human papillomavirus (HPV), and probably understand that it is a sexually-transmitted disease with links to cervical cancer. But it’s more than that. According to the CDC, one “can get HPV by having vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone who has the virus.” Equally as important, however, “it also spreads through close skin-to-skin touching during sex. A person with HPV can pass the infection to someone even when they have no signs or symptoms.”

This is the reason that the CDC is currently recommending that pre-teens, both girls and boys, from age 11 get the vaccine – because males can be silent carriers. Sexually-active adults up to the age of 26 are also recommended to get the vaccine.

Interestingly, the vaccine is not generally recommended for those beyond 26, though it is possible to discuss getting the vaccination with your healthcare provider if you are between the ages of 27 and 45. You might want to consider this as HPV is contractable, even if you’ve been with the same partner over a period of time. Reading from the CDC website, “You also can develop symptoms years after having sex with someone who has the infection. This makes it hard to know when you first got it.”

In nine out of 10 cases, HPV usually goes away on its own within two years, and without causing any health problems. But when it doesn’t go away, it can lead to genital warts and worse, cancer. HPV has been linked to not only cervical cancer but also cancers of the vulva, vagina, penis, or anus. It can also cause cancer in the back of the throat.

I knew someone who was diagnosed with HPV. She was married to her spouse for almost a decade before she found out. When she brought the news home, it led to a lot of confusion and hurt until the doctor assured them that it was nobody’s fault and from a medical standpoint, there was no evidence to suggest a third party had been involved. She ended up needing a minor surgery after they found a small mass in her cervix during a PAP smear, which she was required to get every six months following the positive HPV diagnosis. After it was removed, the PAP smear showed that that the HPV had cleared. That close shave with cancer has led her to advocate for greater awareness of HPV and its prevention.

Now that you have a clearer picture of HPV and what it can do, you might consider getting the vaccine for your daughters here. The HPV vaccine has been widely available in many countries and it is now available in China as well. Several major hospitals including Beijing United Family, Raffles Hospital, and Oasis are offering the Ceravix, Gardasil, and Gardasil-9 vaccines in limited quantities, so do call to reserve them soon.

KEEP READING: Alessia Chizzoniti Believes That “A Healthy Society Starts With Healthy Mothers”

Images: Pexels

We can’t stress enough how important it is to inform yourself, and to make sure your loved ones who are sexually active are also informed, about the dangers of human papillomavirus (HPV). This is why we are delighted to see that the Ducreay Foundation, in association with OASIS International Hospital and The Bookworm, will be hosting “We Matter,” an action and awareness event on January 31 (6-9pm) for this dangerous, yet avoidable virus.

HPV is the name for a group of viruses that affect your skin and the moist membranes lining your body. These highly contagious viruses live dormant in males and females and are most commonly spread during sexual intercourse, and can sometimes be the cause of cervical cancer and precancerous cervical lesions.

OASIS physicians, Dr Emily Kara and Dr Vasili Berdoukas, will be at the event dropping some essential knowledge about how to protect yourself against this prevalent virus so that you won’t be among the many who learn about it too late.

While not all strains of this disease are life-threatening, it is worth doing your research about getting vaccinated. Until last year, this vaccination wasn’t available in China, but in July Cervarix was finally approved by China’s food and drug administration. You should contact your physician during your next checkup to learn about pricing and availability of the vaccine.

To register for the January 31 event at The Bookworm, just scan the QR code above. Entry costs RMB 50 and includes a free drink.

Photos: Courtesy of organizers, belmarrahealth.com

What is cervical cancer?
Cervical cancer occurs when abnormal cells in the cervix grow out of control. The cervix is the lower part of the uterus that opens into the vagina. Cervical cancer can often be successfully treated when it’s found early – or even better – in its pre-invasive stage. There is a simple test to look for these abnormal cells: the Pap smear test.

If the test results show a minor abnormality, you may need a repeat Pap test. Your doctor may schedule a colposcopy – an exam with a lit magnifying device – or biopsy to get a better look at any changes that might have occurred in the cervical tissue. If abnormal cells are precancerous, they can then be removed or destroyed. Treatments are highly successful in preventing precancerous cells from developing into cancer.

Is cervical cancer frequent?
Worldwide, cervical cancer is the second most common and the fifth deadliest cancer among women. It affects about 16 in 100,000 women annually, and kills around 9 in 100,000. Approximately 80 percent of cervical cancers occur in developing countries. In 2008, it was estimated that there were 473,000 cases of cervical cancer and 253,500 deaths per year worldwide. This cancer affects even young women, with a median age of 42 years.

What causes cervical cancer?
Most cervical cancers are caused by a virus called human papillomavirus, or HPV. You can get HPV by having sexual contact. There are many types of HPV; not all cause cervical cancer. Some of them cause genital warts, but other types may not cause any symptoms at all.

You can have HPV for years and not know it. It stays in your body and can lead to cervical cancer years after you were infected. This is why it’s important to have regular Pap tests. A Pap test can find changes in cervical cells before they turn into cancer. If you treat these cell changes, you may prevent cervical cancer.

What are the symptoms?
Cervical cancer may not show any symptoms until the advanced stages. There are no specific symptoms to cervival cancer, but they may include abnormal bleeding, contact bleeding (after sexual intercourse), and vaginal discharge tinged with blood. Pelvic pain is extremely rare.

How is cervical cancer diagnosed?
As part of your regular pelvic exam, you should have a Pap test. During a Pap test, the doctor scrapes a small sample of cells from the surface of the cervix to look for changes. If a Pap test shows abnormal cell changes, your doctor may do other tests to look for pre-cancerous or cancerous cells in your cervix, such as a biopsy.

How is it treated?
Treatment depends on the stage of the cancer. The pre-cancerous stages and very early invasive stages need only minor surgery (leep excision), which conserves fertility and heals the patient 100 percent.

But things can become disastrous very quickly, since the five-year survival rates decrease rapidly. Surgery, such as an enlarged hysterectomy and removal of the pelvic lymph nodes with or without removal of both ovaries, are usually indicated. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy may complete the treatment.

Can cervical cancer be prevented?
The Pap test is the best way to find cervical cell changes that can lead to cervical cancer. Regular Pap tests almost always show these cell changes before they turn into cancer. It’s important to follow up with your doctor after any abnormal Pap test result, so that any abnormal cell changes can be treated. This will prevent you from developing cervical cancer.

The virus that causes cervical cancer is spread through sexual contact. However, condoms cannot protect you against contamination since this virus is so minute that there is no mechanical way to guard against it. Condoms, on the other hand, are very helpful in preventing sexually-transmitted infections. Limiting the number of sexual partners is also a way of practicing safer sex.

Now, women can get the HPV vaccine, which is recommended for all girls and young women who have yet to have sexual intercourse or have only experienced a few contacts. This vaccine protects against two types of HPV that cause cervical cancer. However, regular Pap tests are still required.

Vaccines to prevent cervical cancer
Vaccines are now available to ward off the two types of HPV most strongly linked to cervical cancer. Both Cervarix and Gardasil require three doses over a six-month period. Studies suggest the vaccines are effective at preventing chronic infections with the two types of HPV that cause 70 percent of cervical cancers. Gardasil also protects against two types of HPV that cause genital warts.

Dr. Stefan Schneyer is head of the OB/GYN department at OASIS Healthcare. Born in Bavaria, Germany, Dr. Schneyer received his medical degree from Maximillian University in Wurzburg. He completed his internship and residency in France and Germany, and his post-graduate degree in Strasbourg, France. Dr. Schneyer speaks fluent English, German, and French. His specialties include incontinence surgery and pelvic floor disorder surgery. 

Photos (in order of appearance): euthman via Flickr, Courtesy of OASIS, and USACE Europe District via Flickr