The word “sexually transmitted” is preventing people from taking the vaccine.
The word “sexually transmitted” is preventing people from taking the vaccine.
In India Cervical Cancer kills 1 woman every 8 minutes
In India Cervical Cancer is the 3rd most common cancer affecting both males and females. Around 53 million Indian women aged 13 years and above are at risk of developing cervical cancer yet the percentage of vaccination per year is not increasing.
Cervical Cancer is caused by the HPV virus, the human papillomavirus. This virus is only transmitted sexually. In a country like India where sex is taboo, it’s difficult for parents to accept that their children could be sexually active before marriage. This is one of the main reasons that the vast population below the age of 26 is unvaccinated. The HPV vaccine is most effective when administered between the age of 9 and 15.
There is a lot of misunderstanding regarding the virus and the vaccination. Many believe that their children would become more curious about sex or indulge in sexual activity after being vaccinated which is absolutely false. Some are of the opinion that if a person is monogamous (has only one sexual partner) they will not contact the virus which is again not true. The virus can infect anyone.
The vaccination is not recommended after the age of 40 since research indicates that most people have already been exposed to the HPV virus at least once in their life span and have developed antibodies.
Contacting the virus does not always lead to cancer. Usually, the human immune system fights back and with the help of medication the virus dies out. It is when the virus does not leave the body or even after symptoms subside a small amount of virus still lingers on in the body this causes the cells that line the cervix mouth and throat, anus, penis, vulva, or vagina to grow abnormally, these are called pre-cancerous cells. If these cells are not killed, they will continue to become cancer.
The HPV virus infects both boys and girls, men and women therefore it is equally important to vaccinate both girls are boys.
A large part of Indian society is unaware of this virus and the need to vaccinate against it. In fact cervical cancer can be largely prevented and the number of deaths can be decreased drastically with the help of the vaccine.
Today India has 3 vaccines - Cervarix, Gardasil and the latest Gardasil 9. Serum institute of India is already making its own vaccine Cervavac which has got approval from the government and will be commercially available by the year-end. Cervavac will be priced at a much lower rate and the medical fraternity is hopeful that this will lead to a decrease in cancer caused by the HPV virus.
The need of the hour is more awareness and acceptance that physical intimacy is part of human existence. By ignoring or choosing to disregard this fact we are only putting our younger generation at risk of developing cancer.
2 doses spaced out with a gap of 6 months between the age of 9 to 14 years and 3 doses spaced out between the age of 15 to 26 years can save individuals from cancer.
Schools, colleges, and community centers need to accept this as their duty to spread awareness and organize vaccination camps. With more doctors recommending and informing patients about the effects of the HPV virus, the country hopes to see a fall in the number of cases.