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When to get HPV vaccines?
Dr.Vo DangHung,Ph.D.,Directorof TMMC’sOncology Center,a memberof TMMCHealthcareCenter
InVietnam,thereareroughly6000womendiagnosed withCervical cancereveryyear,half of which
unfortunatelyhasdied of thedisease.Thisisthecancerousconditionof utmost popularityamong
womenaged 15– 44 throughout thenation.
It is estimated that 70% ofall Cervical Cancercases are related to HPVinfection. Inother words,
HPVinfectionstransmitted throughsexual contacthave led to abnormal changesin the cells, thus
have resulted in 70% ofCervical Cancer cases.HPVspenetrate the cervical cells leading to generic
modification. Suchmutation will grow and become malignant. This progress may take years,
rangingfrom 10 to 15years. Suchprogressis called subclinicalinfection meaning the patient has
developed precancerouslesions yet the cervixappears to be completely normal. Oncethe tumors
become malignant, the cancercells will rapidly spread to other tissues in notime.
Cervical Cancer risk
AccordingtoDr.Vo DangHung,Ph.D. – Directorof TMMC CancerCenter, a member of TMMC
Healthcare – the risk factorsofcervical cancerinclude family history,atopic, age, sexual
intercourses,vaginal infectionetc. Conclusively,youare still exposed tocervical cancerrisk even if
youhave never been sexually active. However,the risk ofdeveloping cervical canceris really small
consideringyou are not married or have never experienced any sexual contact(regardlessof your
family medical history of cervical cancer).
Cervical Cancer Screening by Pap smear.
Theoretically, HPVvaccinesprevent 70% casesof cervical cancer.However,youmay runthe risk of
cervical cancerif the vaccinesare not effective, also, 30%cases ofcervical cancerare HPVs-
unrelated. Thus,cervical cancerscreening is ofhigh importance forwomen. Screeningmeans the
detection ofcancerwithin the community.
Cervical Cancerscreening is simple and wouldn’tinducepain or trauma. Itincludes regular
gynecological examinations and Papsmear. Pap smear candetect abnormal cells yet haven’t
developed into cancer,better known as “precancerouslesions”.Sexually active womenshouldget
regular gynecological examinations and annual Paptests to detect suchabnormal cells. Prevention
is cure.
Vaccination before the first sexual intercourse
InVietnam, womenaged 10-25whohave or haven’t hadsex can get HPVvaccines.Getting HPV
vaccinationprior to the first sexual intercoursecan preventcervical cancerup to90%.
Cancer Screening
Sexually active womenare advised to get regular gynecologicalexaminations and annualPap tests
(Papsmear) todetect any cancerousconditionand get prompttreatment duringthe early stages of
cervical cancer.

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HPVvaccinationis the most effectivemethod of cervical cancerprevention.It worksbest for
womenaged 9-26whohaven’t had any sexual contact.Married women orones whohave already
had sex canalso get HPVvaccinessince cancerprevention is effective in these cases.The vaccines
are only considered pointless whenbeing used on cervicalcancerpatients.
However,before getting the vaccineyou shouldget gynecological examination andPap test to
detect any potential risk since there are many othercauses ofcervical cancerbeside HPVs.Also, this
is also a chanceforyouto get your health checkedfor any abnormal symptoms.Some countries
have tested HPVvaccinesonwomen aged over26,however, the results have notyet been proven.
With or withoutHPVvaccination,it is highly advisable that youshould get regular gynecological
examinations andannual Paptests.