Symptoms and Prevention of the HPV Virus - Research Paper Example

a. HPV and Cervical Cancer ‘What Every Woman Should Know” d. Three interesting points about this topic are: a. Whether HPV Infections are the Chief Cause of Cervical Cancer The National Cancer Institute, in a report (2009) on Human Papilloma viruses and Cancer, stated that; Persistent HPV infections are now recognized as the major cause of cervical cancer. In 2007, it was estimated that 11,000 women in the United States would be diagnosed with this type of cancer and nearly 4,000 would die from it. Cervical cancer strikes nearly half a million women each year worldwide, claiming a quarter of a million lives (National Cancer Institute, 2008). As per this report, frequent HPV infections would result in cervical cancer. Accordingly, these infections have been identified as the chief cause of cervical cancer. It also stated in this report that HPV infection is transmitted sexually, and having multiple sexual partners increases the risk of such infection. As such, continual HPV infections have been identified, as the chief cause for cervical cancer. It is indisputable that the greater the degree of abnormality the greater the risk of cancer. Cervical cancer develops due to various factors and HPV infection is a significant factor. As such, recurring HPV infections have been identified, as the chief cause for cervical cancer. Cervical cancer develops due to various factors and HPV infection is a significant factor. It claims a large number of female lives, all over the world. However, In Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) it was stated that; “HPV is a necessary but not sufficient cause of all cervical cancers. Approximately three fourths of all cervical cancers in the United States are squamous cell; the remaining are adenocarcinomas” (Markowitz, March 23, 2007). Despite the fact that HPV causes cervical cancer, not all cervical cancers are caused by HPV. According to this study, HPV is not the only reason for cervical cancer, although on many occasions its presence was observed, while detecting cervical cancer. Thus, HPV is not the sole cause for cervical cancer. HPV is mainly transmitted through sexual contact. In some cases, the HPV infection persists even after several years have elapsed after sexual contact with an infected person. In accordance with these studies, HPV is not the only cause for Cervical Cancer. However, it was detected in the majority of the cases. In the US, squamous cell and adenocarcinomas have been seen to be the active cause for Cervical Cancers, in three – fourths of the cases. In my opinion, HPV infections were not the sole cause of Cervical Cancer. However, recurrent HPV infections may result in Cervical Cancer. b. Whether Cervical Cancer is a Preventable Disease The following discussion makes it clear that Cervical Cancer can be prevented, if HPV infection is detected at an early stage. Nevertheless, such infection cannot be detected in the initial stages, on account of the absence of symptoms. A study conducted by Vanslyke, Baum, Plaza et al declared that “Cervical cancer is a preventable disease resulting from infection with high-risk types of sexually transmitted human papillomaviruses (HPVs). Public knowledge of HPVs and their link to cervical cancer is limited” (Vanslyke, Baum, Plaza, Otero, Wheeler, & Helitzer, May 2008). According to this study, cervical cancer can be prevented if it is detected in the early stages. Medical interventions, such as Pap smear and HPV screening, are vital for reducing the incidence of such cancer. This type of cancer results from infection with high – risk types of HPV, and it is a preventable disease. As such, cervical cancer can be prevented if it is identified in the early stages. Medical interventions, such as Pap smear and HPV screening, are vital for reducing the incidence of such cancer. This type of cancer results from infection with high – risk types of HPV, and it is a preventable disease (Vanslyke, Baum, Plaza, Otero, Wheeler, & Helitzer, May 2008). The other factors responsible for this infection include sexual intercourse at an early age, and the sexual behaviour of the male partner. According to this study, it was revealed that cervical cancer can be prevented, if HPV infection was detected early. However, Linda Lewis Alexander in her book New dimensions in womens health stated that, ‘”Diagnosis may be difficult because many HPV infections are not macroscopically visible. Women with the strains of HPV that cause cervical changes usually have no symptoms” (Alexander, 2007, p. 255). In most of the cases, people fail to recognise that they are infected. This feature hinders people from participating in Pap and smear screenings. However, there have been a number of attempts to inform people about cervical cancer and HPV infections. This may change the perception and attitude of people towards Pap screening, Pap results, and participation in HPV testing (Vanslyke, Baum, Plaza, Otero, Wheeler, & Helitzer, May 2008). Lack of awareness regarding cervical cancer and HPV infections prevents the early detection of the disease. As per this study, diagnosis of HPV infections is difficult, due to the fact that these infections are not visible, in the absence of magnification. Moreover, women with strains of HPV that result in cervical cancer, do not depict any symptoms. Consequently, it is very difficult to detect the presence of this infection, in the initial stages. HPV is transmitted from one person to other through sexual contact, like anal, vaginal or oral sex. It can be transmitted between heterosexual, as well as homosexual partners. Moreover, it is very difficult to determine that there is HPV infection as there are few if any symptoms. It is also possible for a person to have one or more types of HPV infections (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2009). It is my observation that early detection of HPV infection can help prevent cervical cancer. However, the lack of symptoms in HPV infections makes it very difficult to identify the disease, in the initial stages. c. Whether HPV vaccines, like Gardasil are effective in controlling HPV infections Celeste stated in an article named, A doctor talks about HPV vaccination that, ‘Trade-named Gardasil, the new vaccine has been shown to protect against four types of genital HPV that are thought to cause most cases of cervical cancer and genital warts’ (Celeste, 2007, p. 1). As per this research, Gardasil effectively prevents four types of genital HPV that cause cervical cancer and genital warts. The sources examined in this study, make it very clear that Gardasil is effective in only 4 types of HPV infections. Moreover, it can only prevent infection, but it cannot cure the disease. However, Dören in her article, Efficacy Unproven, stated that, ‘A systematic review finds no evidence that the incidence or mortality from cervical carcinoma are reduced by HPV vaccines’ (Dören, 2008). As per this study, HPV vaccines are not effective in reducing the deaths from cervical carcinoma. It is my opinion that HPV vaccines like Gardasil are not totally effective in preventing cervical cancer, as this vaccine can prevent, just four types of HPV infections. Furthermore, it cannot cure the disease. I have been compelled to conclude, after a careful perusal that there are a number of controversies, in respect of the effectiveness of Gardasil, as well as the side effects caused by it. The effectiveness of this drug has been established, in just four types of HPV infection that cause cervical cancer. Consequently, other types of HPV infections cannot be prevented, by using this vaccine. Moreover, Gardasil can prevent the disease, but it cannot cure the infection. Conclusion HPV is transmitted from one person to another through anal, vaginal or oral sex. Moreover, it is very difficult to determine that there is HPV infection as there are few if any symptoms. HPV infections had been commonly seen to cause Cervical Cancer. Although HPV infections had been thought to be the principal cause for such cancer; this was disproved in another study, which stated that HPV infections were not the chief cause for Cervical Cancer. Cervical Cancer can be prevented, if HPV infection is detected in the initial stages. In many cases, due to the absence of any symptoms, it proved difficult to detect HPV infection, at an early stage.. In summary, HPV infections can result in Cervical Cancers, in some cases. Although, HPV infections are not the sole cause for such cancers; nevertheless, recurrent HPV infection may lead to Cervical Cancer. The latter can be prevented to an appreciable extent if there is early detection of HPV infection. However, due to the general absence of symptoms, it is very difficult to detect HPV infections, in the initial stages. Although, HPV vaccines like Gardasil, were seen to be effective in preventing some types of HPV infections, there was nothing universal about such vaccines. Moreover, Gardasil is ineffective, if infection had already transpired. List of References Alexander, Linda Lewis. (2007). New dimensions in womens health. Jones & Bartlett Publishers. Celeste, Robb – Nicholson. (2007) A doctor talks about HPV vaccination. Harvard Womens Health Watch. Volume 14, Issue 12, pp. 1 – 2 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2009, November 24). Genital HPV Infection . Retrieved March 26, 2010, from http://www.cdc.gov/STD/HPV/STDFact-HPV.htm Dören, Martina.(2008). Efficacy Unproven. Deutsches Ärzteblatt International. Volume105, pp. 1–2 Markowitz, L. E. (2007). Quadrivalent Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. Volume 56. Issue 2, pp. 1 – 19. National Cancer Institute. (2008, February 14). Human Papillomaviruses and Cancer: Questions and Answers. Retrieved March 26, 2010, from http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/HPV Vanslyke, J. G., Baum, J., Plaza, V., Otero, M., Wheeler, C., & Helitzer, D. L. (May 2008). HPV and Cervical Cancer Testing and Prevention: Knowledge, Beliefs, and Attitudes Among Hispanic Women. Qualitative Health Research , Volume 18. Number 5 Read More