Specialists recommend virgin women to have vaccination in order to prevent cervical cancer.
A vaccine developed to prevent cervical cancer is now available to women in Armenia, after the GlaxoSmithKline British Company, imported and registered Cervarix vaccine in Armenia.
German scientist Harald zur Hausen, who has been researching the role of viruses in generating the cervix uteri cancer since 1970s, discovered and proved that human papilloma virus plays an important part in causing cervix uteri cancer. The vaccine was developed soon after the discovery.
Gagik Bazikyan, deputy director of RA National Center of Oncology, says: “We are not speaking about 100 percent prevention; however, if before having first sexual intercourse, a woman is vaccinated against papilloma virus, the cervix uteri cancer can be prevented.”
In Armenia the most common type of tumors women develop is breast cancer, with cervical cancer being second on the list.
Specialists in this sphere have serious concerns that Armenian women are careless when it comes to their own health, and they consult a doctor only when it’s too late and the disease has reached the final stage.
“Our women do not have the custom of paying regular visits to a doctor. But we will try to raise awareness among Armenian women and make them realize that it is their responsibility to take care of their own health,” says Hripsime Deghdzyan, director of the Armenian branch of GlaxoSmithKline British Pharmaceutical, Biological, and Healthcare Company. “Of course, it is going to take time to cultivate this concept.”
About half a million new cases of cervical cancer are registered world-wide each year, among which are about 300,000 deaths. A total of 251 new cases were registered in Armenia in 2008 leading to the death of 128 women.
Human papilloma virus is a sexually transmitted infection (STI). According to specialists, about 50-80 percent of sexually active women sooner or later are infected with the virus; however, the papilloma virus does not necessarily result in cancer.
Bazikyan explains that only women are infected with papilloma virus, and men are only carriers who transmit it, and the infection doesn’t cause harm to men.
“In case of having such an infection, condoms do not help [protect]. The vaccine can help even after a woman has been infected and has confirmed it with a gynecologist,” Bazikyan says.
The most optimal and innovative preventive means against human papilloma virus is the vaccination. This vaccination is already widespread in many developed countries. In almost 13 countries it has been put on the list of compulsory vaccinations. The vaccination is done among different age groups.
Bazikyan says that it is a state-funded program in many countries, but not in Armenia, at least not yet.
Deghdzyan says that even if it were state-funded, Armenian women would not apply to it and would not be vaccinated.
“Such things take time. A vivid example of that is the Armenian-American Health Center where mammography researches are held and breast cancer is diagnosed at the early stage here. In the beginning women avoided attending there, whereas now they line up to get the check-up,” she says.
Specialists state that as compared to other countries, the vaccine is relatively inexpensive in Armenia. Still, it costs 45,000 drams (about $125) and must be three times within six months – a total of about $375.
So far in Armenia a few dozen young women have been vaccinated.
English
Հայերեն
back to top 
Readers' comments
Post a comment
Comments are welcomed and encouraged. However, comments not pertaining to the topic or containing slander or offensive language will be deleted. You have to be registered to be able leave your comment. Sign in or Register now for free.