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Cervical cancer vaccine and sexually active ppl

  • 06-04-2009 12:00am
    #1
    Aprilsunshine
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 122 ✭✭


    I'm wondering if sexually active people should get the vaccine...I realise that it only only helps if you don't already have the virus but what if you only had one sexual partner - how likely is it you do have it?

    How would you find out that you have HPV already?

    I thought it was only useful to young girls but I'm in my early twenties and very curious.


Comments

  • #2
    Bottle_of_Smoke
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,770 ✭✭✭Bottle_of_Smoke


    Its of no more benefit to a young girl than a 20 year old girl, they just give it to young girls who are highly likely to be virgins.

    If you've been exposed its pointless. Explain your situation to a GP/Gynae. I don't k now if they can test for it or not.


  • #3
    Vorsprung
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,818 ✭✭✭Vorsprung


    It should be remembered that the vaccine does not completely remove the risk of developing the disease, but reduces it.


  • #4
    eth0_
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,846 ✭✭✭✭eth0_


    Bottle_of_Smoke wrote: »
    If you've been exposed its pointless. Explain your situation to a GP/Gynae. I don't k now if they can test for it or not.

    That's what I thought too, but actually there are a lot of strains of HPV, and if you are sexually active you may have been exposed to only one or two, or even none.


  • #5
    RobFowl
    Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 11,669 Mod ✭✭✭✭RobFowl


    You can get tested for exposure to the type 16 & 18 that the vaccines protect against , It can be done as part of a smear test (not part of the free cervical check program though)


  • #6
    eth0_
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,846 ✭✭✭✭eth0_


    Oh I never knew that. Cheers for the info.


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  • #7
    DrIndy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,461 ✭✭✭DrIndy


    RobFowl wrote: »
    You can get tested for exposure to the type 16 & 18 that the vaccines protect against , It can be done as part of a smear test (not part of the free cervical check program though)
    However - this relates to exposure to these viruses.

    There is also an inate immune dysfunction which allows these virus infected cells to grow (hence CIN/cervical cancer is very common in HIV+ patients). The immune system or more specifically the T-Cell and NK-Cell tumour surveillance system seems to overlook these cells for a while (this is why CIN can come and go or converesely, cervical cancer can develop). Just because you test positive for these viruses does not mean you will get cervical cancer, just the chance of it is higher. Likewise testing negative does not mean you are automatically not at high risk.

    Smears are still essential according to the appropriate timeframe.


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