At What Age Should Cervical Cancer Vaccination Start, and What Are the Symptoms?

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Our bodies can develop a variety of diseases depending on the part affected.

The symptoms also varied widely, but among all diseases that can occur in the body, one of the most frightening is cancer.

Cancer is a malignant tumor that does not simply stay in the affected area; it can also spread to nearby organs, and because it has a high mortality rate and can cause functional decline, it is a disease that requires caution.

In particular, cancer cells do not have a separate vaccine, so management for prevention is especially important.

But did you know that among cancer diseases, there is one that can be prevented through vaccination?

Today, we will look at the symptoms of cervical cancer that can be prevented, along with the age to start cervical cancer vaccination.

Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer is a cancer caused by the HPV virus, also known as human papillomavirus.

There are as many as about 150 types of human papillomavirus, and among them, types 16 and 18 are said to cause cervical cancer.

For this reason, the cervical cancer vaccine is a human papillomavirus vaccine, and it is known to help prevent not only cervical cancer but also head and neck tumors, genital cancer, anal cancer, and other cancers that can occur in the genital and anal areas.

Symptoms of Cervical Cancer

So, what symptoms does cervical cancer have?

In general, cervical cancer does not show major symptoms in the early stages, so it is often discovered only after it has already progressed significantly.

That is why adult women can check for cervical cancer through regular health screenings.

So, what are the symptoms of cervical cancer?

💉 Abnormal vaginal discharge, foul odor

💉 Vaginal bleeding after sexual intercourse

💉 Vaginal or uterine bleeding unrelated to menstruation

💉 Unexplained weight loss

💉 Bladder-related symptoms such as a feeling of residual urine and difficulty urinating

💉 Low back pain, pelvic pain

If symptoms of cervical cancer are accompanied by pain in the lower back or pelvis, or if abnormalities occur in nearby organs such as cystitis, there is a high possibility that the cancer has invaded surrounding organs, so it is important to get examined quickly.

At What Age Should Cervical Cancer Vaccination Start?

So, at what age should cervical cancer vaccination start?

The cervical cancer vaccine, also known as Gardasil 9, can be started at a relatively early age, from 9 to 45 years old.

For those 15 years old and younger, two doses alone can be enough to expect an effect.

If you carefully follow the number of doses, the schedule, and precautions, the preventive effect of the vaccine against cervical cancer is said to reach as much as 98%.

Currently in Korea, free vaccinations are supported for female adolescents aged 12 to 17 and low-income women aged 18 to 26 for Cervarix and Gardasil 4.

Cervarix helps prevent HPV types 16 and 18, which cause cervical cancer, while Gardasil 4 further helps prevent types 16, 18, 6, and 11.

Gardasil 9, which can help prevent seven types including HPV types 16 and 18, is a cervical cancer vaccine that is not available free of charge.

For adolescents, Gardasil 9 costs around 200,000 to 300,000 KRW per dose, and for adults, the cost can rise to as much as 600,000 KRW per dose.

Because the effect can vary depending on whether it is before or after the first sexual intercourse, it is recommended to receive the cervical cancer vaccine during adolescence, before becoming sexually active, if possible.

Do Men Also Need to Get the Cervical Cancer Vaccine?

Many people may think that the cervical cancer vaccine is only for women who have a uterus.

As mentioned earlier, the cervical cancer vaccine is a vaccine that prevents human papillomavirus, the cause of cervical cancer and a virus that can lead to various cancers.

For that reason, it is also recommended for men.

In particular, if you have a spouse or girlfriend, lowering the HPV infection rate in men can also help prevent cervical infection in women, so it is worth considering.

What Are the Side Effects of Gardasil 9?

Today, we looked at the symptoms of cervical cancer and the age to start cervical cancer vaccination.

Gardasil 9, known as the cervical cancer vaccine, is generally given as a second dose 2 months after the first dose, and a third dose 5 months after the second dose.

To prevent cervical cancer, it is important to follow this schedule.

If you receive it earlier than the instructed period, there may be problems with antibody formation,

and if you cannot receive it according to the schedule, the effect may become insufficient, so you may need to start the vaccination series over from the beginning.

Side effects of Gardasil 9 may include local reactions immediately after vaccination.

These may include heat and pain at the injection site, swelling, fever, muscle aches, and headache.

Since symptoms may improve over 2 to 3 days after vaccination, there is no need to worry too much.

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