Digitas Health’s Post

As it's still #cervicalcancerawareness month, and in light of David Winterflood's post I shared yesterday about the eradication of cervical cancer case in Scotland, now seems like a good time to remind people that BOYS CAN GET HPV TOO! Cervical cancer is a condition that affects only people who are biologically female. But male partners can play a part in its development. That's because nearly all cases of cervical cancer are a direct result of HPV - a virus that can be carried by both sexes. HPV is primarily a sexually transmitted disease. If a boy with HPV has sex with a girl who doesn't have HPV, he can pass it to her. That HPV could then lead to cervical cancer in the future. Every time I share this post, I get people commenting that they didn't know that boys needed the HPV jab, but they do - not only to protect future sexual partners, but also to protect themselves against some rarer types of cancer that can occur in men with HPV too. The HPV vaccine is typically offered in Year 8 in schools in England (when kids are 12/13). And better still, kids can be protected with just a single dose of the vaccine. But you can get it up until the age of 25/26, so it's not too late to protect your kids and do your part to eliminate cervical cancer. You can read more about it on my blog: https://lnkd.in/eB6dj-Kk #hpv #hpvvaccine #hpvawareness ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- I'm Dee. I write stuff and do comms for healthcare and tech/cyber companies. I also design and run awareness campaigns and events. And I when I'm not doing that I'm on here, bugging the shit out of everyone to take care of their health and wellbeing. You can see more on my website https://lnkd.in/eNBc3JqV or you can email me on [email protected]

Hello, my name is Amanda. I am a wife, a dog mom and outdoor enthusiast – and I live with HPV. My diagnosis In 2020, my pap was normal, but my HPV test came back positive. These are what they call discrepant results. Because I work at Roche and we were planning to launch a diagnostic solution related to cervical cancer,  I knew that it was important to figure out if my HPV had a high-risk genotype. I was learning a lot about HPV and p16 and how everything worked. Interesting timing, right? So, when I got my results back, I was told, "You are HPV positive.” I asked, “What genotype is it?” The doctor responded, “Well, I don’t know.” Not knowing wasn’t good enough because I needed to determine if I had genotype 16 or 18. The risk is much higher for 16 and 18 than for the other 12 genotypes. I had to advocate for myself to get the information I needed. Luckily, the physician reran the test, and I discovered I had genotype 18. For the next few years, I visited doctors often and had a colposcopy to find out if my cells were transforming. Yearly screenings Although I’m #HPV positive, I have to go in for yearly screenings. I get anxious because the procedure can be painful. It may pop into my head several times throughout the year, but it does not weigh on me. I'm adamant about annual screenings and staying on top of them. I’m confident in screenings. I recently asked my OB-GYN, “When will this ever stop? When am I going to get rid of it?” She said, “For some people, it’s a couple of years, and for some, it's a long time – but you go yearly because it is important to ensure nothing is transforming. It’s dormant, but it’s not escalating.” I worry about women who do not receive appropriate care and fall through the cracks. If you are reading this, you are not alone. I’ve been to multiple clinics and doctors, but I’m still looking for the perfect match. Do not give up. I know it’s hard, but keep searching for the right answers. Importance of advocating for yourself Be active in your healthcare and prioritize it like any other aspect of your health. Take care of yourself first to take care of others. Don't rely on your healthcare provider blindly; do your due diligence and research the best options for your healthcare. My goal in sharing my story is to encourage everyone to #screen4me and their loved ones because regular screenings can save lives. #WeAreRoche #CHAM #cervicalscreenings 

This year, I've dedicated more time to writing, and I plan to share my work here more frequently. 😀 Did you know that today is International HPV Awareness Day? Did you also know that HPV affects men too? Took some time to research human papillomavirus (HPV) and wrote a blog on it, discussing AMREF's initiatives in addressing it. Enjoy the read: https://lnkd.in/dP9434ed Want to learn more about HPV? Here you go: https://lnkd.in/dzt6j_DU #onelessworry

This is a reminder to book your HPV screening test, as early detection saves lives. In September 2023, HPV screening became the new method for cervical screening in Aotearoa, New Zealand. HPV testing is a better first screening test. It looks for the human papillomavirus (HPV), which causes cell changes that may lead to cervical cancer. This gives you options for how you have your screening sample taken: • a vaginal swab — you can either self-test, or a health professional can help • a cervical sample (previously known as a smear test) — taken by a health professional. Your healthcare provider can help you find out which type of test is better for you. The vaginal swab is quick and easy to do. But this may not be suitable for everyone. Some people may be recommended to have a cervical cell sample taken (previously known as a smear test) depending on their screening history. Some people may also prefer to have their sample taken as a cervical sample. A cervical sample also tests for HPV. You can choose who does your screening: • your usual doctor or practice nurse • Māori, Pacific or women’s community health centres • outreach services, like marae and mobile units • Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa (formerly Family Planning) clinics • sexual health services. Some healthcare providers may offer a take-home option. Talk to them if you are interested in this. Your HPV result will usually come back within 1 to 2 weeks. Talk to your healthcare provider about how you want to be contacted. Most test results are normal — around 90% do not find HPV. However, it is important to continue to have regular screening. If HPV is found, depending on which test you have and the type of HPV found, you may be recommended to have a cervical cell sample taken, or you may be referred for colposcopy for treatment if needed. Find out more information by Time to Screen online here: https://lnkd.in/gceTFpRU #timetoscreennz #cervicalcancernz #dudleygynaecology

Hello folks! Let’s have a heart-to-heart about something that's really important but often gets pushed to the back burner: cervical cancer. It's not the most comfortable topic to discuss, but trust me, knowledge is power when it comes to your health. Well, most cases are caused by a sneaky little virus called HPV (human papillomavirus), which spreads through sexual contact. But here's the thing – cervical cancer is highly preventable and treatable if caught early enough. Now, let's talk about screening. Picture it as your regular check-up, but specifically focused on your lady bits. There are a couple of tests your doctor might recommend: the Pap smear and the HPV test. These tests can detect any abnormal changes in your cervix long before they turn into cancer. So, when should you start getting screened? Well, guidelines vary, but generally, it's around age 21 or when you become sexually active. And don't worry, it's not as scary as it sounds – a few minutes of discomfort during the test could potentially save your life. But, prevention is even better than early detection, right? That's where the HPV vaccine comes in. It's like a shield against the most common types of HPV that can lead to cervical cancer. And here's the best part – it's recommended for both girls and boys, typically around age 11 or 12. But if you missed out on getting vaccinated as a teen, don't sweat it – you can still get the vaccine up to age 45. Let's address the elephant in the room – the stigma surrounding gynaecological health. It's time to break the silence and start talking openly about these issues. Whether it's sharing your own story or simply spreading awareness among your friends and family, every conversation counts. Together, we can remove the shame and embarrassment associated with cervical cancer and encourage more women to prioritize their health. So, what's next? Take action. Schedule that screening appointment with your healthcare provider. Ask about the HPV vaccine for yourself or your loved ones. We've got this! Take care #cervicalcancerawareness #cervicalcancer #cervicalcancerprevention #womenhealth

Check out this months featured article on HPV: Misconceptions, Facts, and Prevention https://lnkd.in/eeW_vtvE

It is Women’s Heath week! Check out this article on the HPV Vaccine which discusses misconceptions, facts, and prevention.

🔍 Did you know? 100% of us will be impacted by HPV at some point in our lives! Whether you're in the ~85% of adults who contract it, or the rest who know someone who has it, HPV's scope is undeniable. A persistent HPV infection (when your body is unable to clear the virus from your system) is what can lead to cancer in women and men! But here's the good news: HPV awareness, education and vaccine can prevent cervical cancer as well as also protect against vulva, vagina, anal, and oral cancers. As today marks International HPV Awareness Day, the CerviHealth team is thrilled to have tuned in to INTERNATIONAL PAPILLOMAVIRUS SOCIETY - IPVS panel this afternoon. Hosted by Dr. Joel Palefsky, moderated by Ms Karen Nakawala and featuring specialists Prof. Lynette Denny (South Africa), Dr. Ahmed Morsy (Egypt), Dr. Emmanuel Gonzalez (Costa Rica), and Dr Mary Birdsall (New Zealand). Here are some takeaways: 1) Gender neutral vaccinating! Let’s continue vaccinating our girls but let’s push to protect our boys too. In the UK, the HPV vaccine programme for girls has been in place since 2008 but was only extended to boys in September 2019 - let's close the gap! 2) Your immune system is your body's defence against having a persistent HPV infection. Keep it strong by maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet, regular sleep, and of course relaxation time! 3) Let's normalise discussing HPV and reduce stigma. With an effective vaccine available, we can prevent cancer, but it all starts with conversation! _ _ _ At CerviHealth, we prioritise celebrating girls and women's health every single day. But with International HPV Awareness Day, Women's Day, and Mother's Day all coinciding in the same week, we're absolutely thrilled to engage in discussions that spotlight the importance of girls and women's health! Stay tuned to see what we get up to! #CerviHealth #EmpowermentInHealth #CervicalHealthAwareness #WomensHealth

https://lnkd.in/e6NHcV8A HPV Types & Symptoms in Men & Women: Understanding Differences