IN a news conference held recently at the New World Hotel in Makati City, Dr. Maria Cristina Crisologo, medical adviser for vaccines of global health-care company MSD, addressed the need for a wider discussion of the human papilloma virus (HPV) being critical to an HPV-free future.
“As part of our commitment in the health-care industry to continuously improve the well-being of patients and save more lives, it is critical that we bring to fore the discussion on HPV,” said Crisologo, in leading MSD’s medical forum on “An HPV-Free Future” for this year’s commemoration of the Cervical Cancer Awareness Month.
Even as great strides have already been accomplished in the battle against cervical cancer, Crisologo stressed the important role of HPV awareness and vaccination in preventing cervical cancer and eradicating more diseases caused by HPV infection.
“We are expanding the dialogue from cervical cancer alone, to the wider scope of HPV-related infections and diseases,” said Dr. Beaver Tamesis, managing director of MSD in the Philippines.
While many people know that HPV is the major cause of cervical cancer, there are also many who aren’t aware the virus is also responsible for a host of many other diseases, like genital warts and anal, vaginal and penile cancer.
HPV is a common virus whose predominant mode of transmission is through skin-to-skin contact. There are more than 100 strains of HPV and about 40 of them are usually in the anal/genital area.
Prof. of Obsetrics and Gynecology of the University of the Philippines Manila College of Medicine Dr. Ricardo Manalastas explained that one of the most common misconceptions about HPV is that people who are not sexually active, or have never had sex, can’t get the virus.
“One characteristic of the virus is tropism, which only affects certain areas of the body. Thus, kissing, touching, fondling and even genital contact without penetration can transmit the virus,” Manalastas explained.
Manalastas also added that HPV is a concern not only for women. With the threat of penile and anal cancer now known to be attributable to HPV infections, prevention through vaccination is seen as a vital protocol for young males.
“Another problem with HPV is that it has no lifetime immunity unlike other viruses, like chickenpox. This is because HPV is only limited to the skin, and the immune system of the skin doesn’t work very well. Some would only start noticing its symptoms when their immune system grows weaker because their body cannot control it anymore” Manalastas said.
As for the available vaccines in the market against HPV, Manalastas shared: “About 10 years ago, they developed a vaccine against the most virulent types of HPV. Very recently, they developed a better vaccine. Before, the vaccines only covered just a few strains. Now, they have the nine-valent vaccines” for broader protection.
“We say that primary protection is always better than treating something that’s already there. Nonethtless, we think it should go hand in hand: vaccination and screening. Why? Because there are still strains that are not covered by the vaccine,” Manalastas said.
HPV vaccines are currently indicated for administration to adolescents 9 years and older.
“With this dialogue among medical professionals, patient groups and the media, we aim to generate more awareness and discussion of HPV, and also to change our perspective on such diseases so that we may overcome them more effectively and efficiently,” Tamesis said.