Vaccine Day 2013

Doctor Says HPV Vaccine And Routine Screenings Aid Against Cervical Cancer

The American Cancer Society estimates 13,360 people are diagnosed with and 4,320 people die from cervical cancer every year in the U.S. 

Dr. John Wallbillich is a gynecologic oncologist and assistant professor at Wayne State University and Karmanos Cancer Institute. He says cervical cancer, which affects the cervix and other reproductive organs, is preventable and can be caught through regular screenings and the HPV vaccine.

"At least 95 percent, in some cases it's thought to be 99 percent, of cases are caused by those cancer-causing strains of HPV," Wallbillich says.

People 9–45 years old can get vaccinated against HPV. 

Wallbillich says people often do not have symptoms of cervical cancer. That's why it's important for women in their 20s and up to get routine pap smears, under the guidance of their primary care or OBGYN. 

He said people should see their doctor immediately if they experience any symptoms such as vaginal bleeding, especially in women after menopause.

"There's a lot of new blood vessel growth involving cancers, and those blood vessels are not well organized, so they can kind of bleed a lot… There can be pain, given that it's involving the pelvis, it could obstruct the urinary system," he explained. "The more advanced cervical cancer is, the more symptomatic it is." 

"The goal, besides trying to prevent it in the first place, would be to catch it before it even has any symptoms," he said. 

Dr. John Wallbillich is a gynecologic oncologist and assistant professor at Wayne State University and Karmanos Cancer Institute.

Wallbillich said there is also HPV DNA testing which begins for women in their 30s, which is usually done during a pap smear.

Wallbillich said women of color often contract cervical cancer and die from it at higher rates than white women. 

"Especially in metro Detroit, we see both a lot of white and Black women and other ethnicities, but there's about a 50% greater mortality [rate] among Black patients with cervical cancer than white patients," he said. 

Wallbillich said that may be due to a lack of adequate affordable healthcare and comprehensive OBGYN care options for minority and older women, lack of transportation, and geography, with worsening disparities for Black and brown communities in rural counties.  

In the U.S., American Indian and Alaskan Native women have the highest risk and mortality rate for cervical cancer.

Wallbillich said there is a state-wide effort to increase breast cancer and cervical cancer screening — the Michigan Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Program (BCCCP). Among younger women, however, he said there is more work to do to reach communities with social disparities. 

"It's so multifactorial, and there's a lot of societal disparities. It can be very tricky to really try to make a dent in it, but there are those programs. I mean, people are trying," he said.

Trusted, accurate, up-to-date. WDET strives to make our journalism accessible to everyone. As a public media institution, we maintain our journalistic integrity through independent support from readers like you. If you value WDET as your source of news, music and conversation, please make a gift today.

Donate today »

Nargis Hakim Rahman is the Civic Reporter at 101.9 WDET. Rahman graduated from Wayne State University, where she was a part of the Journalism Institute of Media Diversity.

View all posts

Continue Reading

Doctor Encourages Use Of HPV Vaccine As Virus Linked To Multiple Cancers Increases Among Younger People

HPV is a sexually-transmitted infection that spreads by skin-to-skin contact, according to the Cleveland Clinic. While cervical cancer was the first focus for the HPV vaccine and HPV-related cancer research, researchers are finding it linked to multiple other types.

ExploreConcerning trends with infant health continue as state seeks new solutions

"Now we've found and discovered more about HPV that it also causes these other types of cancer," Alten said.

In addition to cervical cancer, it has been linked to cancers of the vulva, vagina, penis, anus, and certain head and neck cancers, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

Deaths decrease while diagnoses pick up

While overall cancer mortality has continued to decrease, there has been an increasing incidence for many cancer types, especially among women and younger adults, shifting the burden of disease, according to the American Cancer Society.

Cancer rates in women between the ages of 50 to 64 years old have surpassed cancer rates in men, and cancer rates in women under 50 are now 82% higher than their male counterparts, up from 51% in 2002, the American Cancer Society reported.

"Continued reductions in cancer mortality because of drops in smoking, better treatment, and earlier detection is certainly great news," said Rebecca Siegel of the American Cancer Society said.

"However, this progress is tempered by rising incidence in young and middle-aged women, who are often the family caregivers, and a shifting cancer burden from men to women, harkening back to the early 1900s when cancer was more common in women," Siegel said.

Explore'I just want to be a mom'; Breast cancer creates new problems for families as it continues to impact younger patients

These cancers increasing among women and younger patients include HPV-related cancers, among other cancer types like breast cancer and cancers of the oral cavity, pancreas, uterine corpus, and liver.

Black women are also 50% more likely to die from cervical cancer compared to white women, the American Cancer Society says.

"Progress against cancer continues to be hampered by striking, wide static disparities for many racial and ethnic groups," said Dr. Ahmedin Jemal, senior vice president, surveillance and health equity science at the American Cancer Society and senior author of the study.

Addressing disparities among cancer rates between people of different races can bring people a step further to ending cancer for everyone, he said.

"It's essential to help end discrimination and inequality in cancer care for all populations," Jemal said.

HPV vaccine can reduce risks

Alten is urging people to utilize the HPV vaccine, which is Gardasil-9, to help protect themselves from those multiple types of cancer. The HPV vaccine is part of the American Academy of Pediatrics' recommended vaccine schedule for children between 11 and 12, she said. Children as young as nine years old can also safely receive the vaccine.

"You want to give the vaccine before the individual has been exposed to HPV, so basically before they're sexually active," Alten said.

Adults through 26 years of age are also recommended to receive the HPV vaccine. Certain adults up to the age of 45 years old may also be recommended to receive an HPV vaccine.

If the patient has already had HPV, the vaccine can provide some protection against other strains of HPV, but it cannot protect the patient from the type of HPV they already have, Alten said.

"The majority of Americans are going to be positive for HPV at some point in their life," Alten said.

Gardasil was the first FDA-approved HPV vaccine, which became available in 2006, but since 2017, Gardasil-9 has been the only HPV vaccine available in the U.S., according to the Cleveland Clinic.

The HPV vaccine is available through doctor offices and some pharmacies. Under the Affordable Care Act, most insurance plans are required to cover the cost of recommended vaccines like Gardasil-9. Children may also qualify for free or low-cost health insurance through Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

You can find a health center near you by visiting findahealthcenter.Hrsa.Gov.

ExploreCancer Society: Gen X, millennials at higher risk for 17 types of cancer By the numbers

Gardasil-9 protects against strains of HPV infections associated with 90% of cervical cancers, 90% of anal cancers and many cancers that can affect your throat and genitals.

Gardasil-9 also protects against HPV strains that cause 90% of genital warts.

HPV infections and cervical pre-cancers (abnormal cells on the cervix that can lead to cancer) have dropped since 2006, according to the CDC. Those figures include:

Among teen girls, infections with HPV types that cause most HPV cancers and genital warts have dropped 88%.

Among young adult women, infections with HPV types that cause most HPV cancers and genital warts have dropped 81%.

Among vaccinated women, the percentage of cervical pre-cancers caused by the HPV types most often linked to cervical cancer has dropped by 40%.

Bengaluru Launches Free HPV Vaccination Drive For Girls After Hyderabad To Prevent Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer affecting women in India. It is primarily caused by persistent infection with high-risk strains of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is a group of more than 200 related viruses, some of which lead to genital warts and various types of cancer, including cervical, anal, and oropharyngeal cancers. Since HPV is a sexually transmitted infection (STI), early vaccination is the most effective way to prevent its associated risks.

The Vaccination Initiative in Bengaluru

Bengaluru's free HPV vaccination drive is focused on young girls from underprivileged backgrounds. Reports indicate that the first phase of the drive saw 500 adolescent girls receive their first dose on Wednesday. This initiative is a collaboration between Tekion, a cloud-based automotive retail platform, and the Jivika Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to healthcare initiatives.

Also Read: Indian Scientists Develop Breakthrough Drug Delivery System For Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment

Following Hyderabad's similar campaign, Bengaluru's initiative underscores the growing awareness and urgency of providing HPV vaccination to prevent cervical cancer in India. Health experts have welcomed this effort, emphasizing that vaccinating young girls can drastically reduce the future burden of the disease.

Why Is the HPV Vaccine Crucial?

According to data from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), India records approximately 123,000 new cervical cancer cases and 67,500 deaths annually. These staggering numbers highlight the need for proactive measures such as nationwide vaccination campaigns.

Also Read: FDA Greenlights Clinical Trials For Groundbreaking Pig Kidney Transplants In Humans

The HPV vaccine is a proven preventive measure endorsed by the World Health Organization (WHO). When administered before exposure to the virus—ideally between ages 9 to 14—it can effectively prevent infection and, consequently, cervical cancer. Experts stress that vaccination, combined with routine screening and awareness, is essential in the fight against this deadly disease.

Expanding the Reach: Vaccination Phases in Other Cities

The free vaccination drive will be conducted in multiple phases across Bengaluru and Chennai to ensure that more young girls receive protection against HPV. Health authorities and NGOs are working towards expanding these programs across India, targeting regions with high cervical cancer incidence rates.

The Way Forward

The introduction of free HPV vaccination programs in Indian cities marks a critical step towards public health advancement. While the vaccine has been available in private healthcare settings, its high cost has made it inaccessible to many. With initiatives like those in Hyderabad and Bengaluru, economically disadvantaged girls can now receive this life-saving vaccine for free.

Public health experts urge wider implementation and awareness campaigns to educate communities about the importance of HPV vaccination. If more states follow suit, India could witness a significant decline in cervical cancer cases in the coming decades.

Bottomline

Bengaluru's free HPV vaccination drive is a major milestone in India's fight against cervical cancer. By prioritizing preventive healthcare for underprivileged girls, the initiative sets a precedent for more cities to adopt similar programs. With continued efforts and public awareness, India can move closer to eliminating cervical cancer as a public health threat.

---