Benefits and Risks of the Cervical Cancer Vaccine
Disease description:
I am planning to get the cervical cancer vaccine and would like to understand its benefits and drawbacks.
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Zhang Lu
There are both advantages and disadvantages to receiving the cervical cancer vaccine, as follows:
Benefits of the cervical cancer vaccine:
1. Good preventive effect. It can effectively prevent infection with multiple high-risk types of HPV, significantly reducing the risk of cervical cancer and its precancerous lesions in women. At the same time, it can also prevent various HPV-related diseases such as anal cancer, oral cancer, and throat cancer, providing broad protection.
2. If administered before puberty, it can establish an earlier protective barrier for the body. Although the vaccine requires multiple doses and is relatively expensive, it offers high cost-effectiveness in the long run compared to the substantial costs of treating HPV-related diseases.
Disadvantages of the cervical cancer vaccine:
1. Cost issues: Its price is relatively high and may pose a financial burden for certain regions or families.
2. Possible mild side effects, such as fever, headache, and pain at the injection site; however, most side effects disappear within a few days.
3. The vaccine does not provide 100% protection. Even after vaccination, regular cervical cancer screening is still necessary.
4. The vaccine mainly targets cervical cancer caused by HPV and does not protect against cervical cancers resulting from other causes.
Overall, the benefits outweigh the drawbacks of receiving the cervical cancer vaccine. It is recommended to decide whether to get vaccinated based on individual health status and needs, under the guidance of a physician.
