I just had 1st shot of the vaccine last night. There are a total of 3 shots that will need to be taken at a certain time interval. 2nd shot will need to be taken after 2 months while 3rd shot, 1 year after that.
Why did I decide to take the vaccine?
A month ago, our office clinical services organized a lunch & learn about cervical cancer & HPV. Only ladies attended the training but it was such an enlightening event. Most of us ended up ordering vaccines since they were on sale. The original price per shot is Php5,000 but if we sign up that time, we’ll be able to get it at only Php3,000 per shot.
Here are my key takeaways from the training that made me decide to take it, there’s really nothing much to lose but a lot of things to gain from it:
- cervical cancer is cancer of the cervix, the lower part of the uterus that connects the womb & the vagina
- it’s estimated that 8 out of 10 women will get HPV in their lifetime. (for most women HPV will clear on its own, but for some women who do not clear certain types, cervical cancer & other diseases can develop).
- there’s no way to know whether a female’s body will or won’t clear the virus.
- 3 out of 4 HPV infections occur in women ages 15 to 24.
- It’s estimated that many people get HPV within their first 2 to 3 years of becoming sexually active.
- while half of all women who develop cervical cancer are between 35 and 55 years old, many of these women were probably exposed to a cancer-causing HPV type in their teens or 20s.
- 600 women die each day from cervical cancer worldwide.
There are about 30-40 HPV genital types but there is a vaccine available to protect ourselves against the ff. cancers & diseases caused by HPV types 6, 11, 16 & 18:
- cervical cancer
- vulvar cancer
- vaginal cancer
- genital warts
A vaccination is an essential part of protecting ourselves against diseases. Though it’s unlikely that I’ll be able to get the disease, it’s still best for us to protect ourselves.
Here is me with nurse Lhany while she was preparing me for the shot (not painful, so don’t worry), talk to your doctor about helping to protect yourself against cervical cancer, you need it 🙂
More pictures here.
lolz at your snaps, Roch! nakasmile pa bago may injection! 😛
lolz at your snaps, Roch! nakasmile pa bago may injection! 😛
Is it still effective for women ages 30 and above?
Is it still effective for women ages 30 and above?
Cocoy, hahahhaha yeah! I just can't stop smiling at the camera :PMichelle, I'm kinda wondering that myself, when I checked the website, it says it's effective for people 25 years and below.. during the lunch & learn though, they didn't tell us that… well anyway, it's better to be on the safe side
Cocoy, hahahhaha yeah! I just can't stop smiling at the camera 😛
Michelle, I'm kinda wondering that myself, when I checked the website, it says it's effective for people 25 years and below.. during the lunch & learn though, they didn't tell us that… well anyway, it's better to be on the safe side
basically, vaccination is "pre-exposure" (as some vaccines are given "post-exposure" to possible germ threat), thereby preventing one to be sick of a particular germ to which the vaccine is for.hence, anti-HPV vaccines are best given prior to engaging in sexual intercourse. products Gardasil and Cervarix can be given as early as nine (9) years old (and even effective to as old as 55 or 56 years of age).inasmuch as Gardasil* protects an individual to several wart-causing strains (not only cancer-producing strains), it's best given to those who are virgin to any form of sexual activity.whereas, Cervarix is best given to individuals who had prior exposure to HPV strains but still wants protection from the dreaded cervical cancer. here's hoping that they haven't contracted the cancer-producing strain yet and if so, hasn't yet evolved into causing cervical cancer.*to those young boys who are still virgin (perhaps your boyfriends), i suggest you consult your doctor if they may be given Gardasil too before engaging in sex…
basically, vaccination is "pre-exposure" (as some vaccines are given "post-exposure" to possible germ threat), thereby preventing one to be sick of a particular germ to which the vaccine is for.
hence, anti-HPV vaccines are best given prior to engaging in sexual intercourse. products Gardasil and Cervarix can be given as early as nine (9) years old (and even effective to as old as 55 or 56 years of age).
inasmuch as Gardasil* protects an individual to several wart-causing strains (not only cancer-producing strains), it's best given to those who are virgin to any form of sexual activity.
whereas, Cervarix is best given to individuals who had prior exposure to HPV strains but still wants protection from the dreaded cervical cancer. here's hoping that they haven't contracted the cancer-producing strain yet and if so, hasn't yet evolved into causing cervical cancer.
*to those young boys who are still virgin (perhaps your boyfriends), i suggest you consult your doctor if they may be given Gardasil too before engaging in sex…
very helpful baycas, thanks for the information 🙂
very helpful baycas, thanks for the information 🙂
Though it was a private event in your office thanks for sharing. Very informative.
you're welcome 🙂