HPV Vaccination and the Only Preventable Cancer There Is

Cervical cancer is the ONLY cancer we can almost completely prevent. Yet every 7 minutes, we lose a woman in India to this preventable disease.

While most cancers remain medical mysteries when it comes to prevention, cervical cancer stands apart. We know its exact cause, and we know how to stop it – by targeting the virus behind it.

What is HPV? Why should you care?

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is an incredibly common viral infection - so common that 8 out of 10 women will encounter it at some point in their lives.

What makes HPV particularly concerning is how quietly it works. You might feel perfectly fine while it's there, doing its damage behind the scenes.

Sometimes the body clears HPV on its own. But often, it lingers silently for years - until it leads to something as serious as cancer.

HPV can cause:

• Cervical cancer, the second most common cancer in women in India

• Vaginal and vulvar cancers

• Anal cancer

• Head and neck cancers

• Genital warts

The sobering reality? In India, we lose one woman to cervical cancer every seven minutes. That's a mother, daughter, sister, or friend gone from a disease that’s completely preventable!

What is HPV vaccine

HPV has had a vaccine for nearly two decades now, and it’s a safe, effective way to protect against the types of HPV that can cause multiple cancers and genital warts.

HPV vaccine is approved for women up to age 45 and the schedule varies - 2 doses if started early (before age of 15), 3 doses otherwise.

Dosing Schedule: Girls 9–14 years: 2 doses | Women 15–45 years: 3 doses

Globally trusted protection

The HPV vaccine is a medical marvel with results that speak for themselves:

• Up to 98% effective in preventing HPV-related cancers

• Safe track record with over 300 million doses given worldwide since 2006

• Strongly recommended by WHO, CDC, and India's leading medical authorities including FOGSI, IAP, and IMA

Common concerns women have about HPV Vaccine!!

I’ve just had a baby, why bother now

This is the perfect time to think about HPV vaccination. Pregnancy and childbirth can weaken your immune system, making you more vulnerable to infections.

But I'm over 30 and married

The HPV vaccine is approved for women up to age 45 for a reason. Even if you've been exposed to some HPV types, the vaccine protects you from other dangerous strains you may not have encountered yet.

It's not safe/too new

The vaccine has been rigorously tested and monitored for nearly two decades and the safety profile is excellent.

My natural immunity is enough

When you get HPV naturally, your body’s immunity doesn’t stop reinfection and protects only against that one type of HPV. The vaccine builds a longer-lasting immunity and shields you from many cancer-causing HPV types.

But I'm a mom with bigger priorities

It may feel like one more thing on your to-do list, but it’s actually the foundation for everything else - your health, your family, your future. Your children learn from watching you prioritize health, and they need you strong and healthy for all the years ahead.

Your Family's Health Starts With YOU!!

Your health journey starts with a single conversation. No matter where you are in life – building your career, raising your family, or planning your future – this vaccine is an investment in the life you want to live.

Talk to your doctor about HPV vaccination. Ask questions. Share your concerns.

When you take care of yourself, you're better equipped to take care of everyone else.

When you choose HPV vaccination, you protect yourself and set an example of strength for your family - showing that prevention is the most powerful act of care.

Frequently Asked Questions

1) What is HPV and how can it affect me?

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a group of viruses, mainly spread through skin-to-skin sexual contact. About ~85% people will get it at some point in their lives, often without knowing, as early infection usually has no symptoms. 

 In rare cases, it can spread through non-sexual contact, or from mother to child during birth.

2) Why should I take the HPV vaccine? 

HPV vaccine can help reduce the risk of HPV-related cancers and genital warts. You must take the vaccine, so your future is built on smart health choices you make today, at the right time. Studies have shown that HPV vaccines provide up to 98% protection against certain HPV-related cancers and diseases, depending on the specific type of vaccine used.

3) Who should take the HPV vaccine?

Anyone between 9 and 45 years of age can get the vaccine. The best time to get vaccinated is between 9 and 14 years old, when only 2 doses are needed for full protection.

People between 15-45 years need 3 doses in a span of 6 months.

4) Are there any side effects of this vaccine?

HPV vaccine is very safe and well tolerated. Some people may experience mild side effects like redness, swelling where the shot was given, a mild headache or low-grade fever.

These side effects are usually short-lived and go away on their own without any problems.

5) Does everyone who gets HPV develop cancer? 

No. Many HPV infections go away on their own but some high-risk types, like HPV 16 and 18, can cause cancers such as cervical, vaginal, vulvar, anal, and certain head and neck cancers. 

6) If I already have contracted HPV, will the vaccine help? 

The vaccine won’t treat an existing HPV infection, but it can protect you from other high-risk HPV types you haven’t yet encountered. So even if you’ve been exposed to HPV, vaccination still lowers your risk of other HPV-related diseases. 

7) My daughter is in her pre-teens. Does she need the vaccine?

Getting the HPV vaccine before you turn 15 helps your body build much stronger protection- about twice as strong compared to getting it after 15. That’s why HPV vaccination is recommended for girls aged 9 and older.

8) Can pregnant women take HPV vaccine?

The HPV vaccine isn’t recommended during pregnancy, If you’ve already started the doses, you can safely pause and continue the remaining ones after your delivery

7) Can breastfeeding women take HPV vaccine? 

Indian and global medical bodies strongly support HPV vaccination during breastfeeding. Post-partum women are even more prone to HPV infection due to compromised immune system.

Cervical cancer is the ONLY cancer we can almost completely prevent. Yet every 7 minutes, we lose a woman in India to this preventable disease.

While most cancers remain medical mysteries when it comes to prevention, cervical cancer stands apart. We know its exact cause, and we know how to stop it – by targeting the virus behind it.

What is HPV? Why should you care?

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is an incredibly common viral infection - so common that 8 out of 10 women will encounter it at some point in their lives.

What makes HPV particularly concerning is how quietly it works. You might feel perfectly fine while it's there, doing its damage behind the scenes.

Sometimes the body clears HPV on its own. But often, it lingers silently for years - until it leads to something as serious as cancer.

HPV can cause:

• Cervical cancer, the second most common cancer in women in India

• Vaginal and vulvar cancers

• Anal cancer

• Head and neck cancers

• Genital warts

The sobering reality? In India, we lose one woman to cervical cancer every seven minutes. That's a mother, daughter, sister, or friend gone from a disease that’s completely preventable!

What is HPV vaccine

HPV has had a vaccine for nearly two decades now, and it’s a safe, effective way to protect against the types of HPV that can cause multiple cancers and genital warts.

HPV vaccine is approved for women up to age 45 and the schedule varies - 2 doses if started early (before age of 15), 3 doses otherwise.

Dosing Schedule: Girls 9–14 years: 2 doses | Women 15–45 years: 3 doses

Globally trusted protection

The HPV vaccine is a medical marvel with results that speak for themselves:

• Up to 98% effective in preventing HPV-related cancers

• Safe track record with over 300 million doses given worldwide since 2006

• Strongly recommended by WHO, CDC, and India's leading medical authorities including FOGSI, IAP, and IMA

Common concerns women have about HPV Vaccine!!

I’ve just had a baby, why bother now

This is the perfect time to think about HPV vaccination. Pregnancy and childbirth can weaken your immune system, making you more vulnerable to infections.

But I'm over 30 and married

The HPV vaccine is approved for women up to age 45 for a reason. Even if you've been exposed to some HPV types, the vaccine protects you from other dangerous strains you may not have encountered yet.

It's not safe/too new

The vaccine has been rigorously tested and monitored for nearly two decades and the safety profile is excellent.

My natural immunity is enough

When you get HPV naturally, your body’s immunity doesn’t stop reinfection and protects only against that one type of HPV. The vaccine builds a longer-lasting immunity and shields you from many cancer-causing HPV types.

But I'm a mom with bigger priorities

It may feel like one more thing on your to-do list, but it’s actually the foundation for everything else - your health, your family, your future. Your children learn from watching you prioritize health, and they need you strong and healthy for all the years ahead.

Your Family's Health Starts With YOU!!

Your health journey starts with a single conversation. No matter where you are in life – building your career, raising your family, or planning your future – this vaccine is an investment in the life you want to live.

Talk to your doctor about HPV vaccination. Ask questions. Share your concerns.

When you take care of yourself, you're better equipped to take care of everyone else.

When you choose HPV vaccination, you protect yourself and set an example of strength for your family - showing that prevention is the most powerful act of care.

Frequently Asked Questions

1) What is HPV and how can it affect me?

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a group of viruses, mainly spread through skin-to-skin sexual contact. About ~85% people will get it at some point in their lives, often without knowing, as early infection usually has no symptoms. 

 In rare cases, it can spread through non-sexual contact, or from mother to child during birth.

2) Why should I take the HPV vaccine? 

HPV vaccine can help reduce the risk of HPV-related cancers and genital warts. You must take the vaccine, so your future is built on smart health choices you make today, at the right time. Studies have shown that HPV vaccines provide up to 98% protection against certain HPV-related cancers and diseases, depending on the specific type of vaccine used.

3) Who should take the HPV vaccine?

Anyone between 9 and 45 years of age can get the vaccine. The best time to get vaccinated is between 9 and 14 years old, when only 2 doses are needed for full protection.

People between 15-45 years need 3 doses in a span of 6 months.

4) Are there any side effects of this vaccine?

HPV vaccine is very safe and well tolerated. Some people may experience mild side effects like redness, swelling where the shot was given, a mild headache or low-grade fever.

These side effects are usually short-lived and go away on their own without any problems.

5) Does everyone who gets HPV develop cancer? 

No. Many HPV infections go away on their own but some high-risk types, like HPV 16 and 18, can cause cancers such as cervical, vaginal, vulvar, anal, and certain head and neck cancers. 

6) If I already have contracted HPV, will the vaccine help? 

The vaccine won’t treat an existing HPV infection, but it can protect you from other high-risk HPV types you haven’t yet encountered. So even if you’ve been exposed to HPV, vaccination still lowers your risk of other HPV-related diseases. 

7) My daughter is in her pre-teens. Does she need the vaccine?

Getting the HPV vaccine before you turn 15 helps your body build much stronger protection- about twice as strong compared to getting it after 15. That’s why HPV vaccination is recommended for girls aged 9 and older.

8) Can pregnant women take HPV vaccine?

The HPV vaccine isn’t recommended during pregnancy, If you’ve already started the doses, you can safely pause and continue the remaining ones after your delivery

7) Can breastfeeding women take HPV vaccine? 

Indian and global medical bodies strongly support HPV vaccination during breastfeeding. Post-partum women are even more prone to HPV infection due to compromised immune system.