Is it possible to prevent HPV-related cervical cancer?

Medical doctor Cüneyt Yardımcı made statements regarding HPV (Human Papillomavirus).

"Did you know that two women in our country lose their lives every day due to cervical cancer, which could be prevented with the HPV vaccine?" asked medical doctor Cüneyt Yardımcı, adding, "On the other hand, we witness news about femicides almost every day without exception on the evening news with heavy hearts. I am personally uncomfortable with using numbers in a topic that concerns human beings; frankly, this situation feels cold and emotionless to me. Because none of us are just a statistical data point.

However, we need this to see the big picture better... In short, since every preventable death is technically a murder, we are already starting every new day with two additional female homicides. Yet, it is quite possible to put an end to this situation by preventing HPV-related cervical cancer," he stated.

WHAT IS CERVICAL CANCER AND HOW DOES IT DEVELOP?

Almost all cases of cervical cancer develop on the basis of HPV (Human Papillomavirus). Based on this, it would not be wrong to say that cervical cancer is the result of an infection. Cervical cancer is actually not a very aggressive cancer, but because most cases are diagnosed late, it is usually caught at an advanced stage. For this reason, in practice, the course of the disease can be more severe than breast cancer.

Cervical Cancer and HPV: HPV is a virus, and this virus causes many cancers, primarily cervical cancer. On the other hand, there are very effective vaccines that provide over 90% protection against this virus, and the HPV vaccine has been used safely around the world for decades.

Scientists point out that more than 90% of deaths related to cervical cancer occur in middle- or low-income countries. This means that this disease is not fate; at most, it is a lack of precaution! Meanwhile, the HPV vaccine is routinely administered in 125 countries around the world...

It is not just countries with strong economies; countries that make decisions with rational policies and even those with income levels much lower than Turkey are vaccinating their youth. Or, it is not just countries on the European and American continents; the HPV vaccine is included in the programs of many countries with different cultures, religions, ideologies, and regimes. For example, the HPV vaccine is also present in the immunization programs of many Muslim countries...

HOW IS HPV TRANSMITTED?

Answering the question 'How is HPV transmitted?', Cüneyt Yardımcı said, "When I look at Google search results, the question 'How is HPV transmitted?' is at the top. However, the right question should have been 'What happens when it is transmitted?' instead of 'How is HPV transmitted?'. In short, this infection is transmitted through sexual contact, but it is no one's place to question how someone contracted it...

For example... Do we question how Hepatitis B is transmitted? No... Because Hepatitis affects the liver; we get suspicious because Human Papillomavirus is related to the cervix, right? My dear friend, viruses and bacteria do not cause infection only in the area they enter; please be aware of this... Additionally, I would like to remind you that Hepatitis B can also be transmitted in the same way as HPV. Meanwhile, another very important point...

Being promiscuous is not a requirement to be infected with HPV; a single sexual encounter in your lifetime can be enough for transmission. In summary... The cause of this disease is a virus, and this virus causes cancers primarily in the cervix, as well as in the mouth, throat, anus, penis, vulva, and vagina. And there are very effective and very safe vaccines to protect against all these listed types of cancer," he stated.

News Source: 12punto