Parents are being urged to get their children vaccinated against the human papillomavirus, one of the leading causes of cervical cancer.

With January designated cervical health awareness month, Department of Health professionals are also reminding women to go for a Papanicolaou (Pap) test on a regular basis.

“We’re not only trying to heighten awareness but get people to understand the importance of getting their children vaccinated to prevent this type of cervical cancer, since it is preventable,” said Gloria Burgess, the department’s maternal health and family planning co-ordinator.

Jaylakshmi Thamidela, also known as “Dr Jaya”, added: “Almost all of the cases of cervical cancer are caused by HPV.”

The medical officer for maternal health and family planning at the Department of Health said the virus is very common and does not produce any symptoms. She added that half of sexually active people will have HPV at some point in their lifetime. However, the virus will lead to changes in the cervical cells only in a few cases. These changes can lead to cervical cancer.

“Our body’s own immune system fights against the virus and usually within one or two years it will go away in most people,” she said. “In some it stays back and that can cause cervical cancer.”

There were 15 reported cases of cervical cancer in Bermuda last year and six reported cases of mouth, throat, oesophagus and nasal cancer related to the HPV virus.

According to Dr Jaya, HPV is passed during vaginal, anal or oral sex and through skin-to-skin contact, most commonly infecting cells on the skin and moist surfaces of the body.

There are more than 150 types of the virus; types 6 and 11 can cause genital warts, whereas types 16 and 18 can cause cervical cancer, as well as cancer of the vagina, vulva, anus, penis, mouth and throat. The vaccine, which has been available through the Department of Health since 2006, covers these four strains.

Children should be vaccinated before they become sexually active, according to Dr Jaya.

“It is recommended for both boys and girls between 11 and 12 years of age. We can start giving this shot at the age of 9 and go up to 26 years.”

In men, Dr Jaya said HPV can lead to cancer of the anus, penis, mouth and throat. “If boys get vaccinated, then they are going to prevent passing it on,” Ms Burgess said. “It’s very safe and it’s very effective.”

Available at the Child Health Clinic, which is open from 8.30am to 11.30am, Monday to Friday, the vaccine costs $13 per dose. Three doses are required over a six-month period.

Because HPV does not present symptoms and cervical cancer does only once it is advanced, Ms Burgess and Dr Jaya are also reminding women to go for Pap tests. “The Pap test is really important because it is a screening test to pick up any abnormal cells that may lead to cervical cancer down the road,” Ms Burgess said.

“Cervical cancer is a very slow-progressing cancer, so we have plenty of time to have the Pap test and do any preventive treatments over those years.”

They recommend that women start getting tested every three years from the age of 21. Between the ages of 30 and 65, this can be reduced to every five years when combined with the HPV test, which is available only for those over the age of 30.

Cell samples are taken from the cervix and analysed by a specialist. While an “abnormal result” does not mean the cells are cancerous, the professionals said further testing is then recommended. According to Dr Jaya, minor changes in cells can revert on their own and only observation is required.

However, serious or “high-grade” changes mean that the cells could potentially become cancerous.

“It takes more than ten to 15 years for abnormal cells to turn into cancer,” Dr Jaya said. “By doing Pap, we are finding these abnormal cells before they turn into cancer and we’re taking away those cells — that’s how we’re preventing the cervical cancer.”

She said that risk factors for cervical cancer include smoking, having a suppressed immune system, prolonged use of high-dose steroids, multiple sexual partners and not using condoms. Giving birth to three or more children or having a full-term pregnancy before the age of 17 can also increase the risk.

Pap testing and HIV testing are available through private physicians or at the Hamilton Health Centre. While visits to the latter are free, the samples have to be sent out for analysis, which can cost between $90 and $100.

To raise awareness for cervical cancer and HPV, a screening of the film Someone You Love: The HPV Epidemic will be held at the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute on Thursday.