Is the Human papillomavirus (HPV) dangerous?
HPV infection is the primary cause of cervical cancer.
** Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women and the most common cause of death from cancer among women in Africa.**
HPV also causes cancer of the anus, vulva, vagina, penis or throat and genital warts, a painful and difficult-to-treat condition affecting both men and women.
Every year there are 570,000 new cases of cervical cancer. Approximately 311,000 women die every year from cervical cancer globally. Kenya reports at least 5,250 cervical cancer cases every year, 3,366 of whom die from advanced disease or complications from the disease.
Are HPV infections dangerous?
Yes. In most cases HPV infection does not cause symptoms, so you will not know that you have been infected! Most HPV infections go away by themselves without the person infected knowing about them, but some can cause serious disease like cervical cancer and that is why girls should get vaccinated!
The majority of the population will become infected with HPV in their lifetime. Usually the infection is cleared from the body, but in some women the infection persists.
** Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women and the most common cause of death from cancer among women in Africa.**
Cervical cancer is the cancer of the cells of the cervix, the lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina.
Women who get cervical cancer may find it difficult to conceive. However, if a woman gets timely diagnosis and treatment, she is more likely to recuperate fully and have more children.
A link between HIV infection and HPV exists and HIV positive women are more at risk of developing cervical cancer.
HPV also causes cancer of the anus, vulva, vagina, penis or throat and genital warts, a painful and difficult-to-treat condition affecting both men and women.
There is a solution and we can all act now!
Cervical cancer is a preventable disease. Cervical cancer is a Vaccine Preventable Cancer.
HPV vaccination prevents cervical cancer by protecting against HPV infection.
HPV vaccine is safe and most effective against cervical cancer when given before a woman is infected with HPV. That means before becoming sexually active. That is why in Kenya HPV is given to girls aged 10 years. The Ministry of Health recommends that all girls aged 10 years in the Kenya should be vaccinated with 2 doses of HPV vaccine to for full protection against cervical cancer.
Parents can protect their daughters from getting cervical cancer later in life. Don’t delay, talk to your partner and daughters about the HPV vaccine to protect against cervical cancer today!
If you have questions, talk to your local health care provider to learn more about how HPV vaccine prevents cervical cancer.
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