HPV & cervical cancer Screening & Vaccination
What is HPV?
HPV, or human papillomavirus, refers to a family of common viruses which can cause a range of symptoms in both men and women. Patients with HPV may be asymptomatic and in about 90% of cases, the virus clears up by itself. However, in the remainder, the virus persists and patients may end up with genital warts or even cancer, including cervical cancer in Women and penile cancer in Men.
How do I know I have HPV?
Many patients only realize they have HPV infection after they develop warts or cancer. However, HPV can be screened for, even in patients who have no symptoms. Because the chance of clearing the virus on your own is higher before 30 years old, guidelines currently recommend screening HPV in ladies only from 30 years old onwards. However, if you suspect you have HPV infection, or think you may be at high risk of catching it, do come and discuss your concerns with our doctor.
How do I know if I have already got Cervical Cancer?
Cervical cancer is the 10th commonest cancer in Singaporean women. Symptoms of cervical cancer may include:
– abnormal vaginal bleeding or bleeding after intercourse
– foul smelling vaginal discharge, especially if blood stained
– lower abdominal pain or pelvic pain during intercourse
Pap Smears and HPV testing remain some of the key strategies to help us detect and prevent cervical cancer. Should the tests turn out abnormal, further confirmatory tests may be required. If you are worried about Cervical Cancer, our doctor will be happy to address your concerns and advise on the relevant tests.
So if I have no symptoms, there will be no need for testing?
Actually, even for ladies with no symptoms, Pap smears are recommended routinely to be done, as long as there has ever been sexual intercourse. This is because besides detecting cervical cancer, Pap smears can also pick up earlier changes in the cervical cells which may eventually lead to cancer. By monitoring and treating women with these changes, it is therefore possible to prevent cervical cancer from developing later. The age of screening should start from 25 years old at the latest, and be repeated every 3 years or less, depending on risk factors.
An alternative to the Pap smear is a HPV test. This is suitable for ladies from 30 years old onwards, and only needs to be repeated every 5 years if the result is normal.
If you would like to undergo screening, or just wish to find out more about these tests, come and speak with us today!
Any other ways for me to lower my risk of Cervical Cancer?
Yes indeed! HPV vaccines greatly lower the chance of catching HPV infections which lead to cervical cancer, and is therefore a crucial part of our efforts to prevent it. In addition, the vaccines also help to prevent some throat, vulvovaginal, penile (in men) and anal cancers. If you decide to take the 9-valent HPV vaccine, it will also lower the risk of developing anogenital warts too. These vaccines can be taken as early as 10 years old for both boys and girls.
Anogenital warts? What are those?
Anogenital warts are fleshy, skin-coloured or hyperpigmented lumps which grow near the genital and/or anal areas as the result of persistent HPV infection. Smaller ones may resemble pimple like dots around the genital or pubic region. They may occasionally itch but are usually painless. If you suspect that you or your partner has anogenital warts, do come and consult our doctor. If confirmed, we have a range of treatments available to remove these warts, such as imiquimod cream and liquid nitrogen therapy ( cryotherapy ).
