Cervical Cancer Awareness Month: Know how the HPV vaccine helps reduce the risks of cervical cancer
India TV NewsJanuary is cervical cancer awareness month. Common symptoms of cervical cancer are: abnormal vaginal bleeding, bleeding in between periods, pain/bleeding after intercourse, and persistent foul-smelling reddish brown vaginal discharge Cervical cancer is caused by a virus called Human Papilloma Virus. Currently, the two Strategies that we have are: Vaccination Cervical screening When we spoke to Dr Nidhi Sharma Chauhan, Consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist, at Saifee Hospital, Mumbai, she said that the vaccine is directed against the strains of the HPV. The age at which the vaccine is recommended is: the best protection between 9-14 years of age: in this age group 2 doses are recommended,6 -12 months apart. There are currently 3 types of HPV vaccine being offered: Gardasil 9: against the 9 most dangerous types of HPV Gardasil 4: against the 4 most dangerous types of HPV Cervavac: covers 4 serotypes of the HPV There are no known major side effects to the vaccines.