HPV VACCINATION not only prevents the incidence of cervical cancer, it also suppresses the number of genital warts, infections, to precancerous lesions and even creates herd immunity.
HPV (human papilloma virus), the virus that causes cervical cancer, causing health burden around the world, not to mention Indonesia. There are about 200 types of HPV, but not all can cause cancer (oncogenic / high risk). Some are non-oncogenic (low risk), but can cause genital warts. It does not mean "safe" if you have a non-oncogenic type of HPV infection.
"Often there is also a mixed infection. I've found up to seven types of HPV, a combination of oncogenic and non-oncogenic, "said Dr. Andi Darma Putra SpOG (K) from RSCM.
Diseases that can be caused by HPV infection are not only cervical cancer, but also vaginal cancer (60-90%), vulva (40%), oropharynx (12-70%), anal cancer (> 80%) and penile cancer %) in men. Also genital warts (100%). Precancerous precancerous cervical lesions (CIN 1) may return to normal by themselves, possibly 70%. However, the remaining 30% may progress to high-grade cancer lesions (CIN3).
When it is CIN3, it is less likely to return to normal and the risk is great to develop into cervical cancer. For the occurrence of normal cervical cell changes to cancer, it takes as fast as six months to two years. In fact, it can be up to 15-20 years. The impact of the new HPV vaccine was felt about 20 years later, considering the course of cervical cancer disease takes a long time. However, success in the short term can be seen from the quadrivalent HPV vaccine in preventing genital skin.
Quadrivalent vaccines provide protection against four types of HPV; not only oncogenic types (16, 18), also the most common non-oncogenic type of genital warts (6, 11). This is seen in Australia, which started a national HPV vaccination program with a quadrivalent vaccine in 2007. "After five years, the prevalence of genital warts fell by 80%," says Kenneth Alexander MD PhD from Nemours Children's Hospital, Florida, USA. In 2007 the percentage in women <21 years was almost 12%, and decreased to <2% in 2011. Similarly in the 21-30% age group; from about 12% in 2007 to <4% in 2011. In women who are not vaccinated, there is no decrease.
Well interestingly, the prevalence of genital warts in men also come down. In fact, men are not vaccinated. "So we protect girls, but boys are protected. Created herd immunity. Can we conclude the efficacy of the vaccine is very high, "said Prof. Kenneth. Herd imunity is a situation where most people who are not immunized by the disease are protected from certain diseases.