Innovations in HPV Vaccination and Roles of Nurses in Cervical Cancer Prevention

Abstract

The human papilloma virus (HPV) is the main aetiological agent for cervical cancer, one of the most frequentcancers observed in women throughout the world. There are effective programs for reducing the incidence ofcervical cancer with HPV vaccination. The objective of this study was to discuss the applicability of the HPVvaccination and the role of nurses in prevention of cervical cancer. Use of bivalent and quadrivalent vaccineshas been initiated against the types of HPV which are the primary cause of cancer. The quadrivalent HPVvaccination has entered into the routine vaccination schedule in many European countries for use in children andadolescents between 9-15 years of age and for women between 16-26 years of age, whereas it has been proposedthat the bivalent vaccination should be given to girls between 9-18 years of age. While cervical cancer is amongthe cancers that can be prevented, it is essential to continue screening tests while introducing vaccination in asystematic manner for protection. On this subject, among the most important roles of nurses is to implementthe screening programs by fulfilling the caregiving, training and consultancy roles for the society and especially,for high risk groups and to increase the awareness of the people.