Overview
HPV types 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52 and 58 are responsible for around 90% of cervical cancers. The rest are spread over 5-10 other types. In the course of their lives, 70-80% of all women and men come into contact with these viruses without knowing or realizing it. Young women between the ages of 16 and 30 are most frequently affected. The risk of infection increases with the number of sexual partners. In most cases, the infection is asymptomatic and the virus is no longer detectable within one to two years thanks to the body’s own immune defenses. In some women, however, the infection persists for reasons that have not yet been clarified and HPV-infected cells can develop into precancerous stages and later cervical cancer or one of the other types of cancer mentioned above.
The HPV vaccination (offered by cantonal vaccination programs) protects against infection with certain human papillomaviruses and is recommended especially for young women (since 2015 also for young men) before entering into intimate relationships. In addition to this classic indication, there are also other situations in which the vaccination can make sense (usually not a compulsory benefit provided by the health insurance company). These and other measures to prevent HPV infection or to reduce the risk of recurrence of precancerous lesions after treatment are the subject of the consultations offered in the dysplasia consultation. HPV vaccinations are of course also carried out.
HPV vaccination for the prevention of cervical cancer
After years of research and proof of efficacy, the first vaccine against cancer-causing papillomaviruses has been available in Switzerland since January 2007. The Department of Gynecology at the University Hospital Zurich always strives to keep you informed about the latest medical advances to maintain your health.
Can I be vaccinated during pregnancy?
Infection from the vaccine can be safely ruled out, as it does not contain viral genetic material, but only protein components of the viral envelope. For safety reasons, it is still recommended that the vaccination is carried out before or after pregnancy if possible or that repeat vaccinations are postponed until after pregnancy.
Can vaccinated women do without a cancer smear test?
No – every woman should continue to have a gynecological check-up with regular cancer smears, as 5-10% of genital warts and 10% of cervical cancers are caused by HPV types that are not included in the vaccine. Vaccination does not protect against these diseases, or only insufficiently.
More about the HPV vaccination and the most frequently asked questions.