Health Department Launches Vaccination Program for Girls Aged 9 to 14 to Prevent HPV and Cervical Cancer

Johannesburg – The Department of Health has initiated its first round of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccinations for girls aged between nine and 14, drawing attention to the issues surrounding HPV and cervical cancer.

The HPV vaccination campaign commenced on Monday, (3 February 2025), and will run until 28 March 2025.

Cervical cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths among South African adolescents and women aged 15 to 44.

While early detection can lead to successful treatment, prevention is far more effective.

Dr. Themba Hadebe, Clinical and Managed Care Executive at Bonitas, offers insights and critical information about cervical cancer, which is triggered by persistent HPV infections. He emphasizes the importance of screening for the virus and discusses vaccinations that can help in prevention.

Why is there a vaccine for HPV?

HPV targets the cervical cells, and if the infection persists, it can cause abnormal cell changes that may lead to cancer.

Persistent infections with high-risk HPV types, including HPV-16 and HPV-18, are responsible for over 99% of cervical cancer cases.

“To aid in the prevention of cervical cancer, we have broadened our preventative care benefits to cover the HPV vaccine across all our plans,” stated Dr. Hadebe.

“As advised by the World Health Organization (WHO), this vaccination comprises two doses for females aged nine to 14, and three doses for those aged 15 to 26 years over their lifetime.”

Screening for HPV and cervical cancer:

Regular screening is vital to reduce cervical cancer risk, as it helps identify changes in cervical cells and detects early-stage cancers before symptoms appear.

There are two primary tests used for detection:

• Pap smear: Cervical cancer is typically slow-growing and often doesn’t present immediate symptoms. However, it can be detected through regular Pap smear tests, where cells from the cervix are examined under a microscope to identify pre-cancerous changes.
• HPV test: This test specifically detects HPV, particularly the high-risk types HPV-16 and HPV-18, which account for 90% of cervical cancers.

It is recommended that women aged between 21 and 65 undergo pap smears every two years, and from age 30 onwards, they should have both a pap smear and HPV test every five years.

Signs and symptoms:

HPV infection may cause various symptoms, including lesions on the genital area, darker lesions on other body parts, painful lumps on the arms, and skin growths on the balls of the feet and heels.

The importance of prevention:

“Have candid discussions with your daughter about essential lifestyle choices,” advises Dr. Hadebe.

“Though these conversations may be uncomfortable, they are crucial for protecting her from HPV and related diseases.”

Key discussion points should include the significance of the HPV vaccination as her best defense against the virus.

Furthermore, she should consider the following:

• Delaying sexual intercourse until age 18: Starting early increases the risk of HPV infection.
• Using protection with every sexual encounter: HPV transmits through skin-to-skin contact.
• Limiting the number of sexual partners.
• Avoiding smoking: Smoking compromises health across the body, raising cancer risks and associated mortality.
• Maintaining a healthy weight: Higher body fat percentages correlate with elevated cancer risks. A balanced diet and regular exercise can aid in weight management and bolster the immune system.

If you develop cervical cancer:

Cervical cancer, like other cancers, is classified based on severity.

It ranges from in situ, where it hasn’t spread to nearby tissues, to stage one (where it remains localized and small).

If unchecked, the cancer can spread to surrounding lymph nodes and, in advanced stages, metastasize to adjacent tissues and other lymph nodes.

As the disease progresses, the following symptoms may arise:

• Abnormal bleeding, such as bleeding post-intercourse.
• Pain in the pelvic area not related to the menstrual cycle.
• Heavy or unusual discharge.
• Increased frequency of urination.
• Pain while urinating.

“Cervical cancer ranks as the most prevalent cancer among women after breast cancer,” remarked Dr. Hadebe.

“However, if diagnosed early and treated promptly, it has a high cure rate.

“This underscores the necessity for regular pap smears to detect any cervical changes and the vaccination of young girls to safeguard against potential HPV infections.”

For additional information on cervical cancer and HPV, visit the Bonitas website: www.bonitas.co.za or the Department of Health at https://www.health.gov.za