IN THE Philippines, about 2,800 women die of cervical cancer each year.
It translates to roughly seven women dying every day from cervical cancer. Although awareness on HPV (human papillomavirus) as a cause of cervical cancer has grown over the last decade, there’s still a lack of understanding of other HPV-related diseases and how these can affect adolescent Filipinos.
On Aug. 30, MSD in the Philippines, a leading global research-based healthcare company, held an event to commemorate adolescent immunization month as well as mark 10 years of HPV prevention in the country.
The event featured presentations from experts who explained key facts about HPV including prevalence in the country, complications and prevention.
HPV is a virus that can affect both females and males. It is the most common viral infection of the human reproductive tract. There are more than 100 types of HPV, and approximately 40 types can affect the genital area; 15 to 20 of those are high-risk types that can cause cancers.
“Besides various cancers, HPV can also cause genital warts. Studies show that if a person has had genital warts, they will have an increased risk for HPV-related cancers as they grow older,” explained Dr. Cecilia Ladines-Llave, a practicing gynecologic oncologist at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of the Philippines Philippine General hospital.
A staunch advocate of cervical cancer prevention, Dr. Llave stressed that it is important for parents to consult their doctors on how to best protect their adolescent children, both females and males, against HPV diseases before they are even exposed to them.
The primary prevention for HPV is HPV vaccination. It works best in children from nine years old because pre-teens have a higher immune response to the vaccine versus older individuals.
“We don’t wait until exposure occurs to give any other routinely recommended vaccine,” explained Dr. May Montellano, president of the Philippine Foundation for Vaccination and a pediatric infectious disease specialist. “We want children to be protected long before they are even at risk of exposure to HPV. It often has no visible signs or symptoms, so as a parent, you will not know if your child is exposed to it. There’s no way to predict who will or who won’t clear the virus. It is important that you understand how HPV-related diseases can affect your daughters and sons.”
For more information, visit www.msd.com.