Chapter 23, Problem 1CF

Summary Introduction

To describe:

The way in which the human papillomavirus (HPV), which is associated with warts, causes cervical cancer.

Concept introduction:

Apart from warts, four strains of human papillomavirus (HPV) also cause cervical cancer in women. “Gardasil” vaccine provides protection against all four of these strains, and the vaccine “Cervarix” protects against two of these strains.

In 2013, it was reported that the cervical cancer cases have reduced by 56% after the introduction of vaccines. It is recommended that all women between the ages of 14-26 years old should get vaccinated against HPV.

Explanation of Solution

Even though the human papillomavirus (HPV) is mainly associated with warts, it is also responsible for causing cervical cancer in women. When a woman has been exposed to a prolonged infection by HPV, there’s a risk that she would develop cervical cancer. This type of cancer proceeds gradually without showing any symptoms or signs, causing harm along the way. It can only be diagnosed by Papanicolaou (Pap) smear, which involves examining of cells that have been extracted from the infected cervix for abnormalities.

Conclusion

Human papillomavirus (HPV) causes cervical cancer in women who have been exposed to HPV infections for a significantly long period of time. This type of cancer occurs without showing any signs or symptoms and gradually causes harm.

Summary Introduction

To describe:

The reason for which young women and preteens should receive the HPV vaccines.

Concept introduction:

It has been reported that the cervical cancer cases have reduced by 56% after the introduction of vaccines like Gardasil and Cervarix. It is recommended that all women between the ages of 14-26 years old should get vaccinated against HPV.

Explanation of Solution

Young women and preteens should receive the HPV vaccines because this vaccine is a protective measure against cancers that are caused by prolonged infection by “human papillomavirus” (HPV). This virus is responsible for infecting teens and adults, and the infection might gradually develop into cancer without showing any symptoms. The virus can be transmitted from one person to other by sexual contact and so millions of HPV infection cases are reported every year.

Young men can also develop oropharyngeal cancer by HPV infection in the mouth due to performing oral sex with an infected partner.

Conclusion

Young women and preteens should receive the HPV vaccines because this as a preventive measure against prolonged infection by human papillomavirus (HPV) that might develop into cancer later in life. HPV infection can spread through sexual and oral intercourse with an infected person.

Summary Introduction

To describe:

The recommendations for males to receive the HPV vaccines.

Concept introduction:

The human papillomavirus (HPV) is responsible for infecting teens and adults, and the infection might gradually develop into cancer of the region that is exposed to the virus, without showing any symptoms. HPV infection can spread through sexual and oral intercourse with an infected person.

Explanation of Solution

Even though oropharyngeal cancer is commonly caused by tobacco and alcohol use, there has been an increased number of cases involving oropharyngeal cancer caused by HPV infection in men. This HPV source or this type of cancer is transmitted through oral sex, which is a common practice among young individuals. Oropharyngeal cancer caused by HPV in males is the same as cervical cancer caused by HPV in females.

Therefore, for prevention against the infection and for limiting its exposure to females, young men and boys are also recommended to receive the HPV vaccine.

Conclusion

Young men and boys are also recommended to receive the HPV vaccine for prevention against the HPV infection and for limiting its exposure to females, as these infections can gradually develop into cancers.