This week is #CervicalCancerPreventionWeek. This cancer is highly preventable in the present day, because we know a lot about its cause: this horrid little dude, human papillomavirus (HPV). With what we know about HPV and its link to cervical cancer, eliminating the disease is possible...
HPV is a very common infection. Many strains of it are completely harmless, but some are a risk factor for cancer. As well as cervical cancer, high-risk HPV strains are linked to cancers of the vulva, vagina, penis, anus and mouth.
These forms of HPV are transmitted during all sorts of sex - not just penis in vagina, but also via fingers, mouths and sex toys.
Most of us will have HPV at some point in our lives. Most of the time, if HPV is passed on, your body will clear the infection, and you won't even know you've had it. But sometimes the HPV sticks around, and high risk strains can cause cancer.
The first tool we have is cervical screening, AKA the smear test. This test takes a sample from cells on your cervix to test for high risk HPV, and if you have high-risk HPV, this sample will also be checked for any changes to cells in your cervix.
This enables any potential cancer to be caught very early and removed so it cannot spread!
The other tool is vaccination. The vaccine is most effective and protective if given before you become sexually active, so in the UK it's offered at age 12 or 13 in schools. All young people are offered the jab.
Screening and vaccination put together mean that HPV-related cervical cancer could be eliminated. The NHS aims to eliminate HPV-related cervical cancer by 2040 by using these tools.
It's also worth noting that some cervical cancers are NOT related to HPV, so be aware of changes to your body. The main symptoms to be aware of are unusual bleeding (e.g. bleeding between periods, bleeding after sex, or bleeding after menopause), changes to your discharge, and pelvic pain.
So there you go. We can eliminate HPV-related cervical cancer! And if you'd like your own cuddly HPV plushie to remember that this is possible, you can buy one here... the only HPV you *want* to get! vaginamuseumshop.co.uk/product…
Kissing this frog can give you warts. But, the HPV vaccine can be a real prince. Learn the facts about the Human Papillomavirus and Sexually Transmitted Infections. Soft, cuddly and includes an educational card with facts about this important virus.
I learned recently from my gynecologist that the vaccination I got when I was young (2010ish) was not the one they use today (it was changed around that time) and is only effective for a small fraction of HPV viruses. He recommended to refresh this. So maybe just ask your professional if you got your jab around that time or earlier!
![A round grey plushie with little bumps and adorable grey eyes. It looks slightly defiantly angry next to a handwritten note saying "I cause almost all cervical cancer](https://poliverso.org/photo/preview/640/71793920 "A round grey plushie with little bumps and adorable grey eyes. It looks slightly defiantly angry next to a handwritten note saying "I cause almost all cervical cancer")
Vagina Museum
in reply to Vagina Museum • • •HPV is a very common infection. Many strains of it are completely harmless, but some are a risk factor for cancer. As well as cervical cancer, high-risk HPV strains are linked to cancers of the vulva, vagina, penis, anus and mouth.
These forms of HPV are transmitted during all sorts of sex - not just penis in vagina, but also via fingers, mouths and sex toys.
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in reply to Vagina Museum • • •The first tool we have is cervical screening, AKA the smear test. This test takes a sample from cells on your cervix to test for high risk HPV, and if you have high-risk HPV, this sample will also be checked for any changes to cells in your cervix.
This enables any potential cancer to be caught very early and removed so it cannot spread!
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