Acıbadem Hospital Gynecology Specialist Assoc. Dr. Emre Özgü stated that “HPV is the most common virus in the world”.
Pointing out that three out of every four women encounter the HPV virus at some point in their lives, Gynecology Specialist Assoc. Prof. Dr. Emre Özgü said, “If we can vaccinate our children, cervical cancer will take its place in the medical literature as the only type of cancer that we can prevent with vaccination.” Assoc. Prof. Dr. Özgü recommended that all children between the ages of 9 and 15 be vaccinated.
Stating that there are about 200 types of HPV, the most common virus in the world, and that about 40 of them can cause infection in the genital system, Acıbadem Ankara Gynecology Specialist Assoc. Prof. Dr. Emre Özgü said, “It is known as the cause of warts that can be observed all over our body, as well as the cause of many cancers such as esophagus, head and neck, penis, vagina cancer, including cervical cancer. While some types can only cause warts, some types have the potential to cause cancer, but in general, we know that they like to travel together a lot, so in the presence of one, the possibility of other types increases.”
Emphasizing that skin contact is essential for HPV transmission, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Özgü stated that the virus is transmitted roughly 95 percent by sexual intercourse.
“Not all HPV infections are cancer”
Stating that three out of every four women encounter the HPV virus at some point in their lives, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Özgü said, “After HPV enters the body, 80 percent is cleared by the immune system in the first year and 90 percent in the second year. The 10 percent that is not cleared has the possibility of turning into cervical cancer by making changes in the cervix. Not every HPV infection is cancer. The dangerous thing is not to get HPV virus, but to cause changes in the body by making HPV a chronic infection.”
Underlining that HPV vaccine is one of the most effective methods to prevent cervical cancer, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Özgü explained that the vaccine strengthens the immune system and enables the virus to be removed from the body faster. She also added that the changes made by HPV on a cellular basis can be detected early with screening methods and measures can be taken before cancer occurs.
“Smear test is the most successful cancer screening test”
Stating that there are two basic tests used for screening, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Özgü said, “One of these is the PAP smear, known as the smear test, and the other is the HPV DNA test. Smear test is the most successful cancer screening test ever discovered. It has the highest detection rate compared to all other cancer screening tests.”
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Özgü said that while the smear test examines the cellular changes made by HPV in the cervix, the HPV DNA test shows whether there is active HPV infection in the body. While the HPV test gives positive results at an earlier stage, the smear test evaluates whether HPV has made cellular changes and both tests are performed with samples taken from the cervix. She stated that performing these two tests together is effective in preventing cervical cancer.
“Gynecological examination is a must every year”
Pointing out the importance of annual gynecological examinations in terms of women's health, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Özgü said, “Screenings for cervical cancer are also performed during this process. In the state's screening program, women between the ages of 30-65 are tested for HPV every five years; if positive results are obtained, cellular changes are examined with a smear test and patients are referred to specialists if necessary. International guidelines recommend that HPV and smear tests should be performed together every three years.” He emphasized that these tests detect the changes caused by HPV in the body at an early stage; however, when other follow-up and treatment options are applied, cervical cancer has the potential to be prevented 100 percent.
“You can vaccinate your child from the age of 9”
Stating that the main target group in the HPV vaccine is “children between the ages of 9 and 15 who are known not to have encountered HPV”, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Özgü stated that a high immune response was obtained in the 11-13 age group. Recommending this vaccine to all parents, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Özgü said, “As a father, I am planning to vaccinate my own child. Do not think of vaccination only as girls, boys should also be vaccinated to protect both themselves and girls.”
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Özgü stated that vaccination is also beneficial for women who have not known whether they have encountered the virus before, so all women can be vaccinated without an upper age limit. She explained that while two doses of vaccine are sufficient in childhood, three doses of vaccine are administered in adulthood. Pointing out that HPV vaccine is included in the national vaccination program of 66 countries all over the world, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Özgü said, “I hope it will be included in the vaccination program in our country as soon as possible because if we can vaccinate our children, cervical cancer will take its place in the medical literature as the only cancer that we can prevent with vaccination.”
