Cervical cancer - screening and prevention

Cervical cancer is cancer that starts in the cervix. The cervix is the lower part of the uterus (womb)
that opens at the top of the vagina.
There is a lot you can do to decrease your chance of having cervical cancer. Also, tests done by your
health care provider can find early changes that may lead to cancer or find cervical cancer in the early
stages.
Lifestyle and safer sex habits
Almost all cervical cancers are caused by HPV (human papilloma virus).

HPV is a common virus that is spread through sexual contact. The virus causes genital warts.

Certain types of HPV are more likely to lead to cervical cancer. These are called high-risk types of
HPV.

HPV can be passed from person to person even when there are no visible warts or other symptoms.
Practicing safer sex can help reduce your risk of getting HPV and cervical cancer:

Always use male and female condoms. But be aware that condoms cannot fully protect you. This is
because the virus or warts can also be on the nearby skin.

Have only one sexual partner, who you know is infection-free.

Limit the number of sexual partners you have over time.

Do not get involved with partners who take part in high-risk sexual activities.

Not smoking also makes a difference. Cigarette smoking increases the risk of getting cervical
cancer.

Vaccines to Prevent Cervical Cancer

Two vaccines are available that protect against the HPV types that cause most cervical cancer in women:

The vaccine is given as a series of three shots.

It is recommended for girls and women ages 9 through 26.

It is best for girls to receive the vaccine by age 11 or before becoming sexually active. However,
girls and younger women who are already sexually active can still be protected by the vaccine.

Pap Smears
Cervical cancer usually develops slowly. It starts as precancer changes called dysplasia. Dysplasia can be
detected by a medical test called a Pap smear.
Dysplasia is 100% treatable. This is why it is important for women to get regular Pap smears.

Pap smear screening should start at age 21. After the first test:

Women ages 21 through 29 should have a Pap smear every 3 years.

Women ages 30 through 65 should be screened with either a Pap smear every 3 years or a Pap
smear and HPV test every 5 years.

If you or your sexual partner has other new partners, you should have a Pap smear every 3 years.

Women ages 65 through 70 can stop having Pap smears as long as they have had three negative
tests within the past 10 years.

Women who have been treated for precancer (cervical dysplasia) should continue to have Pap
smears for 20 years after treatment or until age 65, whichever is longer.

Talk with your health care provider about how often you should have a Pap smear.

The HPV vaccine

A vaccine called Gardasil has been developed that protects against the two high-risk HPV types (types 16
and 18), which cause 70% of cervical cancers in women and 90% of all HPV-related cancers in men. It
also protects against two low-risk HPV types (types 6 and 11), which cause 90% of genital warts.
Australia's Professor Ian Frazer and his team at the University of Queensland discovered how to make the
vaccine particles, which form the basis of the HPV vaccine.
Gardasil is used in the school-based National HPV Vaccination Program.
Another vaccine called Cervarix is available, which protects against the same two high-risk HPV types
(types 16 and 18). It does not protect against low-risk HPV types which cause genital warts. Some doctors
may recommend this vaccine rather than Gardasil.
Over 97 million doses of Gardasil have been given safely, in over 120 countries around the world.

How does the HPV vaccine work?

The Gardasil vaccine is made from tiny proteins that look like the outside of the real human
papillomavirus.
It also contains Aluminium, Sodium Chloride (salt), water, L-histidine, Polysorbate 80 and Borax, to
stimulate the immune system and keep the vaccine stable and suitable for injection. You can read more
about the vaccine on this product information sheet by Gardasil's Australian manufacturer CSL.
The vaccine does not contain any live virus, or even killed virus or DNA from the virus, so it cannot cause
cancer or other HPV-related illnesses.
When the vaccine is given, the body makes antibodies in response to the protein to clear it from the body.
If a person is then exposed to the real virus, the same antibodies can prevent it from entering the cells of
the body and creating an infection (immunity).

How, when and where is the vaccine given?

The HPV vaccine is given as three injections in the upper arm.
The vaccine works best if you have it over a six-month period, with the second dose of the vaccine two
months after the first, and the final dose four months after the second (so at 0, 2 and 6 months).

Are there any side effects?

All medicines, including vaccines, can have side effects. The reactions people have had after the HPV
vaccine have been similar to reactions after other vaccines.
The most common side effects of vaccination are pain, redness and/or swelling at the site of injection.
These symptoms occur after around 4 in 5 vaccinations but are temporary and show that the immune
system is responding to the vaccination. These symptoms can be treated with a cold pack or paracetamol
if needed.
More severe side effects such as anaphylactic (allergic) reaction are extremely rare.
For every million doses of the vaccine given, there are only around 3 allergic reactions. This is similar to
rates for other vaccines given to children and teens.
Allergic reactions normally happen within 10 minutes of having the injection, usually if you're allergic to an
ingredient in the vaccine, such as yeast.
After your child has had the vaccine, they will be monitored for 15 minutes to make sure they don't have
an allergic reaction.
If an allergic reaction does occur, it can be treated quickly and successfully every immunisation nurse is
trained and equipped to deal with such a reaction.

Who should and should not have the HPV vaccine?

All boys and girls aged 1213 years should have the HPV vaccine. The vaccine is most effective at this
stage, before sexual activity has commenced and when the body produces more antibodies. The vaccine is
provided to students of this age for free as part of the National HPV Vaccination Program.
In 2013 and 2014, boys aged 1415 are also offered the vaccine free-of-charge.
Males and females outside these age ranges may also benefit from the vaccine speak to your doctor to
find out if it's right for you.
People who should not have the HPV vaccine are:

people with a yeast allergy

pregnant women: however research has shown no significant effect on you or your baby if you have
the vaccine and later find out you are pregnant

people with a bleeding disorder: they should talk to their doctor before having any vaccine

people with previous anaphylaxis (serious allergy) to the vaccine or any of the vaccine ingredients.

Parents should note reactions to any previous vaccination or medicine on the consent form when they
return it to their child's school.
If you're having the vaccine, make sure you tell the person giving you the injection about any reactions
you've had to vaccines or medicine before.