Brief discussion: The stigma of HPV and vaccines has never ended

Some people even stigmatize the HPV vaccine as a "vaccine for prostitutes". How far is China from truly knowing about it? Human papillomavirus (HPV) needs no introduction. High-risk HPV infections are associated with hundreds of thousands of cervical cancer deaths in China each year, as well as serious diseases including male genital tumors, anal cancer of both sexes, and head and neck cancer.

Professor Qiao Youlin of Peking Union Medical College once mentioned: In 2015, there were an estimated 98,900 new cases of cervical cancer and 30,500 deaths from cervical cancer in China. If no timely action is taken, the number of deaths from cervical cancer will increase by about 50% by 2030.

In addition, some low-risk types and genital warts are associated with some warts on the surface of the skin.

Although most people will turn negative after being infected with HPV, there will still be a group of people who will have persistent infections and spread the virus as carriers - both men and women. Due to cognitive issues, most people may not be infected intentionally (just lack of awareness).

After screening, researchers selected several high-risk types with the highest infection rates and two types related to genital warts to prepare vaccines. The immune response induced after vaccination is much higher than that of natural HPV infection, and can provide a long-lasting and effective immune response. The earlier the vaccination, the better the effect.

A recent study in Scotland found that since the HPV vaccination was launched in 2008, no cases of cervical cancer were found in 12-13 year old girls who received the full course of HPV vaccination, while other age groups also saw a significant reduction in cervical cancer.

Back to China, according to statistics from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), there were 109,000 new cases of cervical cancer and 59,000 deaths in China in 2020, both of which have exceeded the number in 2015. Even if the HPV vaccine has only 50% protective efficacy, it can prevent tens of thousands of women from dying.

This does not include health benefits beyond preventing cervical cancer.

Looking at the current situation, effective actions in the country include: continuing screening for both cancers (free benefit), supporting HPV vaccination (some areas have already provided free vaccination to elementary school girls), and conducting all-round science popularization (including male population).

In addition, male vaccination will gradually be carried out in the near future - perhaps initially targeting special groups (currently only clinical research recruitment for MSM population is seen), but it is believed that it will also be promoted to younger boys together with the international community and open up routine vaccination for men.

After all, men are not only victims of HPV infection, but also transmitters.

Unfortunately, in the eyes of some people, HPV infection is inseparable from "promiscuity" and "promiscuity", and even the HPV vaccine was once vilified by university professors as a "prostitute vaccine." Such remarks are not isolated cases. Many people - it is no exaggeration to say that this includes people around me and even people with a medical background - believe that "if you are not promiscuous, there is no need to get the HPV vaccine."

The reasons for stigmatizing HPV and vaccines are very simple: confident ignorance, an inferiority complex, a self-deprecating vision, and a self-deprecating subject.

In this state, stigmatizing a healthy and beneficial behavior is not only harmless to oneself, but also can win the support of groups with similar cognitive levels and even create a carnival among the ignorant. "Uncertain information" and "subjective cases" are the best materials, and these materials have also formed various types of rhetoric that continue to spread through information gaps.

People who do not understand the value of vaccination to prevent disease, or even to work together to eliminate disease, should feel ashamed.

March 4th is International HPV Awareness Day. The relevant knowledge is not only a compulsory course for women of childbearing age, but also needs to be learned and known by non-childbearing women and the majority of male compatriots.

willing

=丸= Disclaimer: This article was created out of personal interest, only to allow more ordinary people to have a clearer understanding of vaccines. The content and views do not represent any organization, unit, or institution, and have not accepted any form of sponsorship. All pictures are from public online platforms. If the content is incorrect, everyone should do more self-criticism (not).