Prevent Cervical Cancer. Get Vaccinated!

Here in the Philippines, an estimate of at least 12 Filipino women die of cervical cancer every day. It is the second most common cancer among women in the Philippines, first being breast cancer and about 6,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer each year and about 4,349 die of the illness annually. For some reason, rates are still high even if cervical cancer is preventable.

Really, preventable? Yes, mamsh! Cervical cancer is definitely preventable. Before I delve further into what cervical cancer is. Let’s first discuss the virus causing this deadly illness.

𝓦𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓲𝓼 𝓗𝓟𝓥?

HPV stands for human papillomavirus. It is the most common sexually transmitted infection. Usually, it goes away by itself but there are some types of HPV that can lead to cancer. HPV can be transmitted via sexual contact – yes, even our mouth and throat.

• The two most common type of HPV that leads to cancer are type 16 and 18, thus they are called High risk HPV. Cervical cancer is the most common type of cancer but you can also develop cancer in the vagina, penis, anus, mouth, throat, etc...

Fortunately, cancer caused by HPV can be prevented by getting vaccinated with HPV vaccine. Yay!

𝓗𝓟𝓥 𝓥𝓪𝓬𝓬𝓲𝓷𝓮. 𝓦𝓱𝔂 𝓼𝓱𝓸𝓾𝓵𝓭 𝓘 𝓰𝓮𝓽 𝓿𝓪𝓬𝓬𝓲𝓷𝓪𝓽𝓮𝓭?

HPV vaccine is an inactivated vaccine which protects against four major types of HPV. The type 6 and 11 which causes genital warts and type 16 and 18 which causes cancer.

The vaccine is given as a 3-dose series:

• 1st dose: present | November 27, 2018
• 2nd dose: 1 month after dose 1 | December 27, 2019
• 3rd dose: 5 months after dose 2 | May 27, 2019

   𝒲𝒽𝑜 𝒸𝑜𝓊𝓁𝒹 𝑔𝑒𝓉 𝓋𝒶𝒸𝒸𝒾𝓃𝒶𝓉𝑒𝒹 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝓌𝒽𝑒𝓃?

• Men and women ages 11-45 years old.

Why so young?

The vaccine is best to administer to pre-teens before their first sexual contact as they have not yet been exposed to HPV. The vaccine is at its best and can prevent almost 100% of disease caused by the four types of HPV targeted by the vaccine. Nevertheless, it can still be vaccinated to non and sexually active people until the age of 45. 


     𝒲𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝒶𝓇𝑒 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝓇𝒾𝓈𝓀 𝒾𝓃 𝑔𝑒𝓉𝓉𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝓋𝒶𝒸𝒸𝒾𝓃𝑒?

HPV vaccine does not appear to cause any serious side effects. But like most vaccines, it can cause little to no discomfort days after getting injected. People who had availed of the vaccine has complained of pain and itch at the injection site and mild fever. Personally, I have only experienced pain at the injection site and slight "pangangalay" in my arm for 2-3 days.


** 𝕄𝕪 ℍℙ𝕍 𝕍𝕒𝕔𝕔𝕚𝕟𝕖 𝕁𝕠𝕦𝕣𝕟𝕖𝕪 **

I had availed of Watson Pharmacy's vaccine drive for HPV. As far as I know, they organize it at least every month. My decision to get vaccinated was more because of a personal experience rather than an external force. My mother died of endometrial cancer and after she died -- she was the first case of cancer in our family, both sides. I felt like it is my responsibility to share to people that while we cannot exterminate all types of cancer, since cancer cells can develop and grow into almost all parts of our body, we can prevent some types of it, and while we can, we must avail of it.

My HPV vaccine is named Cervarix. My sister has availed of Gardasil. Both vaccine protects us from type 16 & 18 which causes mainly 70% of all cervical cancer cases but Cervarix doesn't prevents type 6 & 11 which causes genital warts and is only approved to be administered to females, unlike Gardasil which can be administered to male.

My sister is a nurse by profession and has availed the vaccine long before my mom got diagnosed with cancer and she has been a big part of my decision to get vaccinated. My SO is also supportive in my decision since it is also an investment for my health. I have atttached my pictures below as documentation of my journey. 

May 20, 2018 - my 1st dose

June 20, 2018 - my 2nd dose. Administed at home. Thanks to my sister RN

November 20, 2018 - my 3rd and final dose. Administered at home.
See my smile there??? :D

Here's a back shot of my Watsons Vaccine
Card for HPV. 

My last 2 dosage was given by my sister, since she's also a licensed RN. Perks of an RN sister yaaaas! However, it also means buying the vaccine prior to the vaccination time so be very careful in handling the vaccine since it has to be chilled even in transport. Both times I did this, I brought with me a small chiller with ice inside and asked the pharmacist to double pack the vaccine box so it won't get wet and had gone straight home and stored it in the freezer until it's time to use it. Ask your local pharmacist for help in handling the vaccine since not chilling it might make it ineffective. It's a little pricey so be very careful.

Watsons also offer Flu Vaccine which is already good for a year. Vaccines are made to prevent illnesses and help make our lives better. Do not let one issue about Dengvaxia alter your mindset in getting vaccinated. I have heard stories that mothers and parents refuse to vaccinate their babies and children of major vaccines for fear that they might die when they availed of this. An irrational fear arising out of the Dengvaxia issue. For 2018, stats said that measle cases had gone up to a whooping 367% increase this year as compared to last year. A very serious issue since measles vaccine is given for free in the local barangay health centers.

This has been Lhex and this has been my HPV vaccine journey!! <3 font="">

Disclaimer: Please note that HPV vaccines' protection is long lasting however, regular checkups and screening still has to be done since the vaccine is said to prevent only type 16 and 18 -- which are the most common. There are certain types of HPV than can still lead to cancer aside from these two.

Websites used:
http://www.pchrd.dost.gov.ph/index.php/news/library-health-news/322-human-papilloma-virus-a-real-threat-to-young-people
https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/stds-hiv-safer-sex/hpv
https://www.webmd.com/children/vaccines/hpv-vaccine-what-you-need-know#2
https://www.verywellhealth.com/should-i-choose-gardasil-or-cervarix-as-my-hpv-vaccine-3132985
Department of Health - Epidemiology Bureau (01 January to 10 November 2018)