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 Vaccine InformationHPV (Human Papilloma Virus)The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a common virus that is spread through sexual contact. Most of the time people with HPV have no symptoms so they do not know they have it. It has been estimated that the virus has infected nearly 40- 80% of sexually active adults. There are over 200 types of HPV and among them, approximately 40 types of genital HPV. Some types can cause cervical cancer in women and cause other kinds of cancer in both men and women. Some types cause genital warts in both males and females. The HPV vaccine works by preventing the most common types of HPV that causes cervical cancer and genital warts. It is given in 3-doses. More about genital HPV infection Cervical CancerCancer is a disease in which abnormal cells in the body grow out of control. When these abnormal cells are present in the cervix, it is called cervical cancer, or cancer of the cervix. As the drawing shows, the cervix is the lower, narrower part of the uterus. The uterus is also known as the womb. The upper part of the uterus is where a baby grows when a woman is pregnant. The cervix connects the upper part of the uterus to the vagina (the birth canal). A Pap test is a procedure in which cells are scraped from the cervix and examined under a microscope. It is used to detect cancer or changes that may lead to cancer. A Pap test can also show non- cancerous conditions, such as infection or inflammation. Getting Regular Pap Tests Can Save Woman's Life.Cervical cancer can usually be prevented if pre-cancerous cervical lesions are found by a Pap test and treated. Invasive cervical cancer can usually be cured if it is found early through regular Pap tests and treated promptly. About half of the women in the United States who develop cervical cancer have never had a Pap test. Regular Pap tests decrease a woman's risk of developing cervical cancer because they can detect pre-cancerous cervical lesions at early, treatable stages. Information on HPV
HPV VaccineWorldwide, cervical cancer is the second most common female cancer. Every year, about 500,000 new cases of cervical cancer are diagnosed and around 232,000 women die of this disease. In the world, one woman dies of cervical cancer every two minutes. Cervical cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting women in Hong Kong. In 2005, there were 376 new cases and 126 deaths recorded by the Department of Health. Approximately 70% of cervical cancer is caused by two most common viruses (HPV 16 & 18). In fact, this is a highly preventable cancer. With advancements in vaccine development, women can be protected from the HPV 16 & 18. The HPV vaccine - Gardasil, is the first vaccine developed to prevent cervical cancer, precancerous genital lesions, and genital warts due to HPV. This new vaccine is highly effective in preventing HPV infection, the major cause of cervical cancer in women. The vaccine protects against four types of HPV, including two that cause about 70% of cervical cancer. Another HPV vaccine, Cervarix (being developed by GlaxoSmithKline) is in the final stages of clinical testing, it has just launched in Asia Pacific, including Australia in May 2007. This vaccine would protect against the two types of HPV that cause most cervical cancers. The vaccine is given in a series of three injections over a six-month period. The second and third doses should be given at two and six months (respectively) after the first dose. HPV vaccine may be given at the same time as other vaccines. 
HPV Vaccine FAQHPV Vaccine Fact Sheets for Health ProvidersMore Information on HPV VaccineCervarixGardasil |
