Health

This information on HPV vaccination as part of cervical cancer prevention is particularly relevant to you if you are a young girl aged 11 to 19 inclusive. If you are the parent of a young girl who is affected, read the information before giving her the document. This way, you can talk about it together.

HOW CAN A VIRUS GIVE ME CERVICAL CANCER?

HPV viruses (papillomaviruses) are very numerous (more than 120 types of viruses) and extremely widespread. They are responsible for many skin diseases, such as finger warts or plantar warts that are caught in swimming pools. Some of them, in certain circumstances, can be responsible for changes in the cells of the cervix and cause precancerous, then cancerous, lesions. They are transmitted mainly through sexual intercourse, but penetration is not essential. The transition from viral infection to cancer is often a fairly long period (several years between infection and precancerous lesions and several years before cancer). This relatively slow progression from a known factor leaves time to detect lesions at an early stage and to interrupt the process before cancer: this is screening by cervical smear, which looks for abnormal cells through regular examinations. In recent years, vaccines have also been developed to induce the body's defenses against the two types of viruses most often encountered in cervical cancer (HPV types 16 and 18).

HOW CAN I PROTECT MYSELF AGAINST CERVICAL CANCER?

If you have had sexual intercourse for a long time and are being monitored by a gynecologist, they will perform regular smears. Abnormalities in cervical cells can be detected at a very early stage by a cervical smear. This prevents them from developing into cancer. If you have not yet had sexual intercourse or if you are at the beginning of your sexual life, your doctor or gynecologist can also offer you the HPV vaccination.

WHEN CAN I GET VACCINATED?

Before or at the very beginning of your sexual life. Thus, vaccination against human papillomavirus infections is recommended for young girls from the age of 11, even before they are exposed to the risk of infection. The vaccine can also be offered to you if you are between 15 and 19 years old, if you have not had sexual intercourse or if you have been sexually active for a maximum of one year. Whatever your case, you must discuss it with your doctor who will decide whether vaccination is indicated for you.

HOW IS VACCINATION DONE?

There are three types of vaccines against papillomavirus infections: a nonavalent vaccine (directed against nine types of HPV: 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52 and 58, which are responsible for genital warts), a quadrivalent vaccine (directed against four types of HPV: 16, 18, 6 and 11), and a bivalent vaccine (directed against the two main types of HPV: 16 and 18).

The nonavalent vaccine is administered in two injections spaced six to thirteen months apart in girls aged 11 to 14. In those aged 15 to 19, it is administered in three doses, with a delay of two months between the 1st and 2nd injection, and six months between the 1st and 3rd.
The quadrivalent vaccine is also administered in two injections with an interval of six months between each, in girls aged 11 to 13. In those aged 14 to 19, it is administered in three doses, with a delay of two months between the 1st and 2nd injection, and six months between the 1st and 3rd.
The bivalent vaccine is also administered, in two injections with an interval of six months between each, in girls aged 11 to 14. For those aged 15 to 19, it is administered in three doses with a one-month interval between the 1st and 2nd injection, and six months between the 1st and 3rd

Health authorities preferentially recommend the nonavalent vaccine, they previously recommended the quadrivalent vaccine.

These vaccines are not interchangeable. Any vaccination initiated with one of them must be completed with the same vaccine.

DOES VACCINATION HAVE SIDE EFFECTS?

The side effects related to the treatment are very moderate. In the clinical studies conducted before the vaccines were put on the market, no vaccination had to be stopped.

WILL I BE REIMBURSED FOR THE VACCINE?

This vaccine prescribed by your doctor will be reimbursed up to 65% by Social Security.

WILL I NEED A BOOSTER?

Vaccination is estimated to provide good protection for about five years. The need for a booster dose has not yet been established.

WILL VACCINATION PROTECT ME AGAINST CERVICAL CANCER?

Vaccination provides effective protection against infection by the two most common types of human papillomavirus, which are responsible for 90% of cervical cancer cases. However, it does not protect against all HPVs. There are over a hundred HPV viruses, of which around forty can be involved in genital disease. Most of them only pose low risks, only some remain potentially dangerous. However, since the vaccine does not provide 100% protection, regular screening by smear test remains essential.

ONCE I HAVE BEEN VACCINATED, DO I NEED TO BE TESTED REGULARLY?

Yes. Whether you are vaccinated or not, you must continue to benefit from screening, i.e. a cervical smear every three years after two normal initial smears one year apart.

SHOULD I USE CONDOMS IF I AM VACCINATED?

Yes, to protect yourself from unwanted pregnancy and other sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV.

I HAVE HEARD ABOUT THE HPV TEST, WHAT IS IT?

This test is used to detect the possible presence of a high-risk (carcinogenic) papillomavirus in the cervix. It may be prescribed by your doctor in certain cases of abnormal smears.

CAN I GET VACCINATED IF I AM PREGNANT?

No. It is recommended to wait until the end of your pregnancy and breastfeeding period to get vaccinated. It is also preferable to avoid pregnancy in the month following an injection. However, if this does occur, a register of these cases of pregnancy during vaccination is kept by the health authorities, and you must report it to your doctors.
Cervical cancer is certainly the one that is best detected: organized screening for all women would be able to reduce the risk of this cancer by 90%.

Vaccination against the virus is an additional weapon to reduce the risk of cervical cancer. It does not eliminate it completely. Even if you are vaccinated, it is important to continue regular screening.