Transcript HPV and Protecting Your Daughter

The HPV Vaccine:
Protecting Girls from Cervical Cancer
It’s a team effort.
The Facts
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Cervical cancer kills 400 women each year in
Canada
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Cervical cancer affects young women
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Almost 100% of all cervical cancer cases are caused
by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
PROTECT BC girls against cervical cancer:
Support immunization against HPV
HPV Immunization in BC
Each year in BC HPV immunization could PREVENT:
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150 women from developing cervical cancer
40 women from dying from cervical cancer
5,000 women from developing precancerous cells
10,000 women from requiring invasive procedures to treat
abnormal cells
20,000 women from requiring additional follow up and
evaluation due to abnormal pap tests
Help PROTECT BC GIRLS against these
outcomes
What is HPV?
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The Human Papillomavirus
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HPV is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections
(STIs) in BC
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Most infections clear on their own, but 10% will not go away
and cells infected with the virus can become cancerous over
time.
HPV infection CAUSES cervical cancer
Who Can Get HPV?
ANYONE who has been sexually intimate
with another person
Common infection:
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• 70% of all women will be
infected at some point in
their lives
• HPV infection is highest
among adolescents and
young adults (23% vs. 4%
among older adults)
Infected with HPV
The HPV Vaccine
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Protects against 70% of all cervical
cancers and 90% of all genital warts
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All women should continue to have regular
cervical cancer screenings (pap tests)
“The approval of [HPV] vaccine is a great medical
milestone in the fight against cancer.”
- Dr. Barry Rosen,
The Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada
HPV Vaccine Effectiveness
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~100% protection when given before HPV exposure!
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Evidence that protection will last for at least 15
years, and will probably last for life
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Need for a booster is being closely monitored
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Younger girls build better protection
SUPPORT HPV Immunization.
HPV Vaccine Safety
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Vaccines are only licensed in Canada if they meet very
strict standards and are safe
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Some girls may have minor side effects
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The HPV vaccine has been studied for over 10 years
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A clinical study on the HPV vaccine was done in over
20,000 women for over 5 years in several countries
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Over 44 million doses have been distributed worldwide
The HPV Vaccine is SAFE.
Why Immunize Now?
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Immunization is about PREVENTION
Vaccine must be given BEFORE
EXPOSURE for best results
Studies have shown that the vaccine is
BUILDS BETTER PROTECTION if given to
younger girls
The vaccine PREVENTS HPV.
It does not treat HPV.
HPV Vaccine and Girls
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Immunization DOES NOT promote earlier
sexual activity
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Immunization should occur BEFORE sexual
activity to be most effective
PROTECT BC Girls from cervical cancer.
School-based HPV Immunization
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Grade 6 girls
Grade 9 girls for two more years
3 doses
2 months
1st dose
4 months
2nd dose
6 months total
We Need
Your Help!
3rd dose
How Can You Help?
Summary
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The vaccine protects against 70% OF ALL
CERVICAL CANCER types
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The HPV vaccine is SAFE
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Girls are best protected when they get the HPV vaccine
before they become sexually intimate
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The HPV vaccine builds better protection in young
girls
WORKING TOGETHER to PROTECT BC girls
and women from Cervical Cancer
Questions?
For more info visit:
immunizebc.ca
Optional Additional Information
HPV and Cervical Cancer
0-1 years
Initial
HPV
Infection
0-5 years
Continuing
Infection
Abnormal
Cell
Growth
HPV Infection Cleared
PreCancerous
Cell
Growth
1-20 years
Invasive
Cervical
Cancer
The Cervix
Virus Penetrates Cervix
HPV Vaccine Bridging Study
HPV Vaccine is
Safe for girls 915 years old
The HPV Vaccine and Boys
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Not currently licensed for use on boys in
Canada
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Clinical trials are currently underway to
determine vaccine safety and efficacy in boys
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Results look promising
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Protecting boys and girls would be ideal