Which vaccine is used to prevent cervical cancer?

PGIMER Chandigarh NO - 2015

Obstetrics & Gynaecology

Easy

Appeared in: PGIMER Chandigarh NO - 2015

Explanation

The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is specifically designed to prevent infections from HPV strains that cause the vast majority of cervical cancers.
Cervical cancer is almost always caused by persistent infection with oncogenic (cancer-causing) HPV types.
High-risk HPV types, particularly types 16 and 18, are responsible for about 70-80% of all cervical cancer cases, and the vaccine provides protection against these.
By preventing the initial infection, the vaccine effectively reduces the risk of developing cervical pre-cancerous lesions (dysplasia) and subsequent invasive cancer.

Option B: The MMR vaccine provides immunity against Measles, Mumps, and Rubella, which are viral illnesses unrelated to the development of cervical cancer.
Option C: The Hepatitis B vaccine protects against the Hepatitis B virus, which is a primary cause of liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma), not cervical cancer.
Option D: The Salk vaccine is the Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV), used to prevent poliomyelitis, a paralytic disease caused by the poliovirus. It has no connection to cancer prevention.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Vaccination for Cervical Cancer Prevention as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
A nurse's role is critical in educating patients, especially parents of adolescents, about the HPV vaccine's safety, efficacy, and importance as a cancer-prevention tool.
Nurses must emphasize that the vaccine is most effective when given before the onset of sexual activity and that the full series must be completed for optimal protection.
It is crucial to counsel patients that even after vaccination, routine cervical cancer screening (e.g., Pap tests) must continue as per guidelines, because the vaccine does not protect against all HPV types that can cause cancer.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key terms in the question: 'vaccine' and 'cervical cancer'.
Recall the primary cause of cervical cancer. This is a crucial piece of knowledge, which is the Human Papillomavirus (HPV).
Connect the cause (HPV) with the preventive measure (vaccine). A vaccine designed to prevent an HPV infection would be the logical way to prevent cervical cancer.
Evaluate the given options: 'HPV' directly matches the causative agent. 'MMR', 'Hepatitis B', and 'Salk' are well-known vaccines for other distinct diseases (Measles/Mumps/Rubella, Hepatitis B, and Polio, respectively).
Eliminate the incorrect options based on your knowledge of what each vaccine prevents.
Select the option that directly addresses the prevention of the causative agent of cervical cancer.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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