The alarming facts are that there are over 100 types of HPV and about 30 types of these viruses affect the genital area. Within these are high risk types that cause abnormal cervical cells and cervical cancer if gone undetected and untreated. In fact, 80% of women diagnosed with cervical cancer had not had a simple test needed to check for HPV within 5 years of their diagnosis. Even though most women who developed cervical cancer are between the age of 35 to 55 years old, many if not most were exposed to the high risk HPV in their teens or 20s. And sexual intercourse wasn’t necessary for contracting HPV. According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, it’s easier for teen girls to get certain infections than for adults. This may be because at this young age, the linings of their reproductive tracts are still developing. This makes it easier for the infection to enter and grow. Most of the time, HPV presents no symptoms and is only detectable with a simple test. 

Some types of HPV can infect a woman’s cervix (lower part of the womb) and cause the cells to change. Most of the time, HPV goes away on its own. When HPV is gone, the cervix cells go back to normal. But sometimes, HPV does not go away. Instead, it lingers (persists) and continues to change the cells on a woman’s cervix. These cell changes (or “precancers”) can lead to cancer over time, if they are not treated. There is no treatment for HPV. But there are treatments for the health problems that HPV can cause, such as genital warts, cervical cell changes, and cancers of the cervix, vulva, vagina and anus.

The good news is that there is a simple test to diagnose if you or your daughter has been exposed to human papillomavirus (HPV) available at Primera Luz Women's Center. And there is an effective vaccine available that will protect you or your daughter for life against HPV.  The Vaccine protects against four types of HPV which together cause 70% of cervical cancer and 90% genital warts.  And the best news it’s more than likely covered by your insurance or available at very affordable prices. Call today to schedule this simple test or to schedule for your or your daughter’s vaccine. The HPV vaccine is given through a series of three shots over a 6-month period. The second and third doses should be given 2 and 6 months (respectively) after the first dose.

The HPV vaccine is recommended for 11-12 year-old girls, and can be given to girls as young as 9. Ideally, females should get the vaccine before they are sexually active. This is because the vaccine is most effective in girls/women who have not yet acquired any of the four HPV types covered by the vaccine. Girls/women who have not been infected with any of those four HPV types will get the full benefits of the vaccine. The vaccine is also recommended for 13-26 year-old girls/women who have not yet received or completed the vaccine series. These recommendations have been proposed by the ACIP—a national group of experts that advises the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on vaccine issues. These recommendations are now being considered by CDC.

The FDA has licensed the HPV vaccine as safe and effective. This vaccine has been tested in over 11,000 females (ages 9-26 years) around the world. These studies have shown no serious side effects. The most common side effect is soreness at the injection site. CDC, working with the FDA, will continue to monitor the safety of the vaccine after it is in general use. The vaccine has been widely tested in 9-to-26 year-old girls/women. But research on the vaccine’s safety and efficacy has only recently begun with women older than 26 years of age. The FDA will consider licensing the vaccine for these women when there is research to show that it is safe and effective for them.

Primera Luz Women's Center can provide you with information on both federal and state programs that will may cover the HPV vaccine in case your health insurance does not cover it. These programs cover the HPV vaccine for children and teens under 19 years of age, who are either uninsured or  Medicaid-eligible. Call 875-1200 for more details or to schedule your HPV Vaccine