Wicked Health Uncovered : HPV and the importance of the vaccine
Previously, I’ve had the opportunity to briefly appear on Channel 5 news, talking about the success of the HPV vaccine and my own brief experience with cervical cancer. Speaking to people since then, I’ve realised just how many people don’t fully understand HPV and its consequences. To help rectify this situation, the first blog in my new ‘Wicked Health: Uncovered’ series, will focus on HPV and the importance of the vaccine.
One of the most common misconceptions is that only girls need to get the HPV vaccine. While it’s true that only those with a cervix can get cervical cancer, it’s also important to realise that ANYONE can get HPV. And there are more health problems associated with HPV than just cervical cancer. For this reason, everyone offered the HPV vaccine should get it – irrespective of their gender.
There are more than 100 types of HPV
Not all of them cause problems. However, some can cause a sexually transmitted disease called genital warts. Others can cause abnormal cell changes that can sometimes turn into cancer.
Most people will get a low-risk HPV at some point during their lifetime. And in most cases, a good immune system is enough to make sure that the body rids itself of the virus within a couple of years. However, if you are unfortunate enough to get infected with a high-risk strain of HPV, it can hang around for much, much longer. And if you are really unlucky, there is a chance that your HPV could cause abnormal cells that lead to cancer.
The trouble is…. there is no way of knowing! That’s because…
HPV has NO symptoms
None. Nada. You can’t tell if someone has HPV just by looking at them and they won’t necessarily know either. Most people have HPV without realising it. This also means that they can pass it onto other partners without realising it and you don’t need to go beyond 3rd base to do it.
You DON’T need to have penetrative sex to get HPV
I repeat. You do NOT need to have penetrative sex to transmit HPV to another person. It can also be passed:
- From any skin to skin contact in the genital area
- Through vaginal, anal or oral sex
- By sharing sex toys
And while a condom will offer you or your partner a little protection against HPV, the skin around the penis is still exposed meaning the risk remains. And there’s no such protection for lady parts either.
MYTH: Only people with lots of sexual partners need to worry about HPV
This is wrong. You could get HPV the first time you are sexually active if your partner is someone who already has HPV. And if you develop HPV, you won’t know about it and could potentially pass it on to any future partners you have.
How does the vaccine help?
The HPV vaccine doesn’t protect against all types of HPV. However, it does protect against the types of HPV that cause most cases of genital warts and cervical cancer, as well as some other cancer types.
99% of cervical cancers are caused by high-risk HPV types that can be prevented with the vaccine. If enough young people get the HPV vaccine when they are offered it, there is the potential to all but eradicate cases of cervical cancer in the future.
Need more reasons to have the HPV vaccine?
Although I’ve been on my social channels talking about HPV in relation to cervical cancer, it isn’t just cervical cancer that has been linked to the transmission of HPV. Other cancers that have been linked to some high-risk types of HPV include:
- Vaginal cancer
- Vulval cancer
- Anal cancer
- Cancer of the penis
- Some types of head and neck cancer
That’s right, although some of the other cancer types are rare, the HPV vaccine can prevent them.
You still need to practice safe sex
While the HPV vaccine will protect those who have it from some of the most serious strains of HPV, it doesn’t prevent other sexually transmitted diseases or pregnancy. For this reason, it’s essential that you continue to practice safe sex.
Who can get the HPV vaccine and when can they get it?
The HPV vaccine is now routinely offered to both girls and boys aged 12 and 13. In England, the first dose is given in Year 8, the second dose between 6 and 12 months later, usually Year 9. It’s essential that you have both doses of the vaccine to be fully protected! If any doses that are usually given at school are missed, it’s important that you speak to the school immunisation team or your GP to catch up on it as soon as you can.
If you were eligible for HPV vaccine in school but missed it, you can still be vaccinated against HPV on the NHS up until your 25th birthday. People who have the 1st dose aged 15 or over will need to have 3 doses of the vaccine.
For information on the HPV vaccine for transgender and same-sex relationships, please visit the NHS website. For more general questions and answers about the HPV vaccine, check out the Jo’s trust website, which is packed with helpful information.
Disclaimer: I am a freelance health content writer with nearly 9 years’ experience in providing copywriting, content and digital marketing support for the health and medical industry. I’m not a qualified health professional, but the information shared in this blog series has been obtained from reputable sources. If you have any concerns relating to any health issues discussed in this series, please speak with your doctor or another qualified health professional.