Karen's got HPV – and is urging young people to get vaccinated

Currently, women aged 25 to 30 are offered a free vaccine against HPV, against the virus that causes cervical cancer. The goal is to vaccinate 70 percent before the beginning of the year, but so far only 40 percent have received the vaccination. Karen Falk has been infected with HPV herself, and is now urging young people to get vaccinated.
– Seize opportunities, says Karin Falk, from Nihitsmorjon.

About 150,000 women have been vaccinated, but there are still 100,000 women left. A large-scale media campaign is now being launched to reach more young women in order to eliminate this type of cancer with the help of the vaccine.

We believe that many of them are positive, but they have not taken the vaccine yet. The offer only applies until the end of the year and is also free, notes Elin Ljungqvist, national screening coordinator at the RCC Collaboration.

“We must normalize”

Karen Falk underwent surgery at the beginning of the year and was recently told she still had HPV. She stresses the importance of conducting more tests and vaccinations without fear.

-I had a home tester that was at home for two years before I used it. It only takes a few minutes to do. When I heard the news about HPV, I panicked. Karen says: I thought my life was over.

Despite the risk of infection with HPV, few young women are vaccinated. Reaching women between the ages of 25 and 30, who rarely think about cancer, is a challenge.

-I am grateful that we have a safety net in Sweden. Should we use it – HPV is very common and easily preventable. She says: We have to normalize and talk about this matter.

Investing in public health

What would you like to say to those who are hesitant or have the test?

– It's easy to postpone, as I did. “I thought if I never got tested and had HPV for several years, I would probably get cancer,” Karen says.

The ongoing campaign, which aims to reach 70% of the younger target group, is critical to eliminating cervical cancer – and a long-term investment in public health.

– The vaccine is well tested and has been given to hundreds of millions of people around the world. Even if you've been vaccinated before, you can get broader protection against more types of HPV, says Ulrika Strahlmann, developmental midwife at RCC Syd, and continues:

In addition to vaccination, the most important protection against cervical cancer is to participate in screening when it is offered to you, she concludes.

Read more at 1177 For questions about HPV vaccination.

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