The human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common viral infection worldwide, with more than 200 known types. While some types lead to benign skin warts, others are responsible for severe health threats, such as cervical, throat, anal, and penile cancers. The HPV vaccine provides strong protection against the most lethal strains, avoiding long-term health complications.

For adults, teenagers, and parents, being informed about the role of HPV vaccination is important in making an educated healthcare choice. Should teens get vaccinated? Can adults benefit from it? Does it affect puberty or hormonal balance? In this detailed guide, we break down everything you need to know about the HPV vaccine, its benefits, and why it’s a crucial step in cancer prevention.

We asked Senior Consultant in Gynae Oncology and Robotic Surgery Dr. Monika Meena, all important questions related to HPV for teens, adults, and parents. Let's understand the importance and relevance of the vaccination.

How the HPV Vaccine Works?

The HPV vaccine is intended to educate the immune system to detect and fight high-risk HPV types before they cause harm. It is not a cure for an infection that already exists, but rather prevents future infections from occurring. The HPV vaccine helps the immune system recognize and fight off high-risk strains of the virus before they cause harm. It protects against:

• Genital warts
• Cervical cancer
• Vaginal, vulvar, anal, and penile cancers
• Mouth, throat, head, and neck cancers linked to HPV

While the vaccine cannot treat existing HPV infections, it can prevent new infections from occurring, making early vaccination particularly effective. By getting the HPV vaccine, people develop immunity to the virus, lowering their risk of getting HPV-related cancers and genital warts. The vaccine works best in people who have not yet been exposed to HPV, which is why it is mostly given to preteens before they become sexually active.

Who Should Get the HPV Vaccine?

Children and Teens

Preteen dosing is recommended by top health agencies, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO), for boys and girls to get the HPV vaccine at ages 9 through 15. The preteen is when the vaccine is most effective since it has the highest immune response in preteens.

The HPV vaccine is most effective when given between the ages of 9 and 15, before any potential exposure to the virus. “Girls in this age group require only two doses of the vaccine, given six months apart,” says Dr. Meena.

Dosing Schedule in Preteens: Two shots, spaced six months apart, are advised for 9–14 years.

Young Adults and Late Vaccination

If an individual is missed during the suggested vaccination window during their teens, they can still get the HPV vaccine through age 45. The efficacy does drop somewhat in those who could have been exposed to some of the strains of HPV.

Yes, but the effectiveness may be lower. “Women can receive the vaccine until the age of 45, but by then, they may have already been exposed to certain HPV strains,” explains Dr. Meena.

Dosing Schedule for Ages 15–45: Three doses are needed over a six-month span.

Do Boys and Men Need HPV Vaccination?

HPV cancers are not merely a women's health issue. HPV can lead to penile, anal, throat, and oropharyngeal cancers in men. Men can also pass HPV to their partners and develop cervical cancer. The vaccine is also vital for males to ensure HPV non-transmission and reduce their own cancer risks.

Dr. Meena emphasizes, "Absolutely. HPV doesn’t just affect women. Men can also develop cancers related to HPV, such as penile, anal, and oropharyngeal (throat) cancers. Vaccination in males offers the same protective benefits, preventing both cancer and the spread of the virus"

Does the HPV Vaccine Have an Impact Hormones?

Another prevalent parent concern is if the HPV vaccine disrupts puberty or hormone equilibrium. Doctor specialists affirm that the HPV vaccine won't change puberty or regulate hormones in any capacity. Its role is purely to activate the body's defense to identify and eliminate HPV infection.

A common myth is that the HPV vaccine disrupts puberty or causes hormonal imbalances. This is false. “The HPV vaccine does not alter hormonal levels or delay puberty,” clarifies Dr. Meena. “It may cause mild side effects like redness, rash, fever, or pain at the injection site, but it does not interfere with normal growth or development.”

Similar to the majority of vaccines, the HPV injection has some minor Side Effects, which include:

• Injection pain or soreness
• Slight fever
• Weakeness
• Mild dizziness or headache

Severe reactions to the vaccine are very uncommon, so it is a safe vaccine for all but a small percentage of individuals.

HPV Vaccine vs. Pap Smear and HPV Test

Although the HPV vaccine inhibits cancers associated with HPV, routine Pap tests and HPV testing are screening processes employed to diagnose precancerous or cancerous cervical changes. Many people wonder if getting the vaccine means they can skip routine cervical screenings. The answer is no.

“The HPV vaccine prevents cervical cancer, while Pap smears and HPV testing are screening methods to detect early signs of cancer or precancerous lesions,” explains Dr. Meena. Even vaccinated individuals should undergo regular screenings once they become sexually active, as these tests help catch potential abnormalities early for timely treatment.

Pap Smear (Cervical Screen): Detects abnormal cervical cells before they are cancerous.

HPV Testing: Identifies the presence of high-risk HPV types that can cause cancer.

Even after vaccination, routine cervical screening is still necessary for early detection and prompt treatment of any abnormality.

Is HPV Vaccination a Lifesaving Choice?

HPV-related cancers are preventable, and the vaccine is a powerful tool in that fight. Whether you're a parent deciding for your child, a teen considering immunization, or an adult wondering if it's still worth getting vaccinated, the answer is clear: the HPV vaccine offers life-saving protection.

For parents, it can be a matter of preplanning their children's long-term health by assuring that the HPV vaccine is given to them. For adults, it is never too late to bring up the issue of HPV vaccination with a physician and find out if immunization can still provide protective effects.

Dr. Monika Meena is a Senior Consultant Gynae Oncology and Robotic Surgeon at Apollo Cancer Centre, Kolkata in India

“Heartbreaks happen to many people, it’s ok” or “You’ll move on, it’s a heartbreak, not the end of the world” and similar phrases as these are ones we have all heard. However, how much truth these sentences hold has been questioned. Many people experience mental health issues after experiencing heartbreak like depressive episodes and anxiety symptoms. However, did you know that heartbreaks can actually affect your heart?

The pain associated with heartbreaks is often thought of as psychological, but it can actually weaken the ability to pump blood effectively. This is a condition known as the broken heart syndrome, or Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy.

According to the Harvard Health Publishing, it is a sudden change in the shape of the heart's left ventricle, which is its primary pumping chamber. This is a concerning issue as it weakens the heart’s ability to effectively circulate blood throughout the body.

The British Heart Foundation explains that some people, like women over 50s are more susceptible to getting this issue. It could also be an issue if you have other mental health issues like anxiety or depression.

Symptoms Mimic A Heart Attack

Harvard explains that most cases of this syndrome occur in the age frames of 58 to 75. 5% of these women thought they were having a heart attack. The symptoms can indeed be very similar to those of a heart attack and may include:

• Sudden, intense chest pain
• A feeling of pressure or heaviness in the chest
• Difficulty breathing
• Heart palpitations (irregular or forceful heartbeat)
• Feeling faint or lightheaded
• Nausea

Can Stress Cause This Issue?

While the precise cause of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy remains under investigation, medical experts believe that a sudden surge of stress hormones, such as cortisol and adrenaline, triggered by intense emotional distress, plays a significant role. The syndrome often occurs following significant emotional events like bereavement, serious illness, or trauma, which is why it's commonly referred to as 'broken heart syndrome'. But that is not the only reason why you may experience this, other causes may include sudden drop in blood pressure, severe pain, asthma attack, intense fear, serious illnesses or surgery, etc.

When doctors are diagnosing this syndrome, they look for things like, no evidence of blockages in the angiogram, which helps them rule out heart attacks, they also use imaging techniques like echocardiogram, that will show abnormalities in the left ventricle.

Fortunately, it is temporary. The condition is typically managed with medications aimed at reducing the strain on the heart and minimizing the risk of complications. These medications can include:

• Diuretics (to reduce fluid buildup)
• Beta blockers (to slow heart rate and lower blood pressure)
• Blood thinners (to prevent blood clots)

Can You Prevent Broken Heart Syndrome?

While most people recover fully, approximately one in ten patients may experience a recurrence of broken heart syndrome. Additionally, some individuals may have persistent symptoms or lasting changes to the shape of their heart, potentially requiring long-term medication.

Once a person has fully recovered from broken heart syndrome, it is advisable to focus on managing stress levels, adopting a healthy diet, and maintaining regular physical activity to help prevent future episodes.

Misleading signs are often worse than no signs, you may be working on the symptoms when the disease is already doing damage to your body. When something goes wrong in our body, most of us can catch onto it. However, we almost always tackle the most obvious issue, not knowing there could be something worse going on.

A similar issue happens to a UK-based woman, named, Loise who was suffering with high blood pressure and dismissed it as a symptom of menopause. Soon she found out that it was in fact not menopause that she was going through, rather she had been battling kidney cancer and did not know about it.

Cancer is the leading cause of death worldwide with nearly 10 million deaths in 2020. Cancer is a generic term for many different diseases that affect parts of one's body, according to the World Health Organization. Kidney cancer is the sixth most common cancer in UK adults and 14th most common cancer worldwide. According to Cancer Research UK, the average number of cases reported for kidney cancer in 2017-19 UK was 13,834. It is also more common in the elderly, aged 80-84, and there has been a 92% rise in the incidence rates of kidney cancer since the 1990s.

Misleading Symptoms and Important Warnings

In the Kidney Cancer UK's TikTok page, Louise's highlights the critical importance of recognizing that not all symptoms in middle-aged women are solely due to hormonal changes. In her case, the elevated blood pressure was an indicator of an aggressive form of kidney cancer.

Often, kidney cancer doesn't manifest with clear and distinct symptoms, and it is frequently discovered incidentally during tests conducted for other health concerns. Louise emphasized the challenge of diagnosis, "Symptoms are unfortunately vague, especially for women, as it includes high blood pressure, night sweats, blood in your urine and flank pain. GPs often relate these to menopause symptoms." She strongly advises everyone to "regularly scan your body" and to pay attention to persistent discomfort. She urged, "How long have those niggling pains been there? Get them checked - always better to be safe than sorry!"

What To Expect After The Diagnosis?

Reflecting on her own diagnosis, Louise recounted having "high blood pressure but unseen blood" in her urine. She explained how her cancer was detected, "I was lucky routine bloods picked up an issue with my liver, prompting ultrasound."

Her treatment journey involved significant surgical interventions, "I have now had two major surgeries to remove cancer and my kidney within the last 15 months. I'm three weeks post open surgery and recovering well." The outcome of recent tests brought encouraging news, "The news that all the biopsies came back as not cancer has been amazing."

Currently, Louise is managing side effects from her immunotherapy treatment. Looking ahead, Louise remains realistic but hopeful "My cancer was the most aggressive at grade 4 so there will always be a high chance of it coming back, but medications and research is changing all the time and I have faith that the surveillance scans will help us nip anything untoward in the bud!"

Kidney Cancer Symptoms You Should Look Out For

While kidney cancer often progresses without noticeable symptoms, the NHS indicates that when they do appear, they can include:

• Blood in your pee
• A lump or swelling in your back, under your ribs, or in your neck
• Persistent pain between your ribs and waist
• Unexplained loss of appetite or weight loss
• Persistent fatigue or lack of energy
• A recurring high temperature
• Excessive sweating, particularly at night

Throughout the first week of April, the state of Kentucky witnessed flooding, due to heavy rains, specifically in the Franklin County. The reason being, it is located on the Kentucky River for over 200 years. While such natural disasters can cause distress in terms of physical safety, expert also reveals that such natural disasters could impact one's mental health too.

Natural disasters like Kentucky's recent flooding can have serious impacts on victim's mental health, reveals Christal Badour, associate professor of psychology at the University of Kentucky and a trauma recovery research.

As reported in Weku NPR, the UK psychologist explains that reactions to traumatic events typically fall into short-term and long-term symptoms. These include people feeling overwhelmed, anxiety, and difficulty communicating. While most people eventually recover without lasting effects, some may struggle for a longer duration.

These long-term issues include depression or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Badour also notes that people who already had a mental health difficulty before the natural disaster could also further feel isolated. Along with that, individuals with fewer financial resources could be at more risk of long-term problems.

Are These Long-term Symptoms Common?

According to a report from Clinical Psychology Review, 20 to 80% of people will experience long-term symptoms after a disaster. These rates could vary depending on the type of disaster one faces. PTSD symptoms often improve after the first year, however, depression and anxiety are more likely to linger.

What Do Other Experts Say?

There have been previous studies too that confirm the same. As per a 2024 study, titled Impact of Natural Disasters on Mental Health: Evidence and Implications, by Eamin Z Heanoy and Norman R Brown, notes: "Natural disasters are large-scale catastrophic events, and they are increasing in frequency and severity. Converging evidence indicates that the mental health consequences of disasters are extensive and are often associated with trauma and the disruption of personal and socioeconomic factors in people’s lives."

However, the study also notes that although most individuals who experience disaster-related traumatic events do not develop mental illnesses, some could experience adverse psychological effects of the disaster.

Another expert, Nomy Levy-Carric, MD, MPhil, writes for Mass General Brigham, which is an institute dedicated to serving the community and enhancing patient care, teaching, and research, notes that natural disaster can indeed leave a lasting impact on individuals, families, and often an entire community.

Levy Carrick notes: "A person’s reaction depends on many factors, including their past experiences, what is happening in their life at that moment, the nature of their exposure, and the support available to them as they rebuild. The sudden loss of control and uncertainty can be overwhelming, making it harder to cope in both the short and long term."

What Are The Types Of Natural Disasters?

• Hurricanes and tropical storms
• Earthquakes
• Tornadoes
• Wildfire
• Floods
• Blizzards and winter storms
• Drought and extreme heat
• Landslides and mudslides

The doctor notes the Psychological First Aid or PFA provides a structured way to support emotional recovery immediately after a disaster.

However, notes Badour, there is still a major gap in treatment. Most disaster relief services only last up to one year.

“After that year has passed, a lot of people feel like there's no one there to help them, especially if you're in a community that was already lacking in mental health support and resources,” she said.