2024-04-12 05:00:00
“The more knowledge we have about our health, the better we can protect it, through awareness.” Dr. Gonzalo Fernández, director of Medical Affairs for vaccines and General Medicine at MSD in Spain, is firmly convinced of the importance of information on health issues to prevent the spread of diseases.
Scientists estimate that approximately 80% of people will contract the Human Papillomavirus at some point in their lives. It is a disease that affects both women and men, and is responsible for 5% of all human tumors worldwide.
Therefore, the best weapon to fight against this worrying prevalence responsible for a large number of cancers, according to experts, is information.
HPV and its worrying figures
The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection among sexually active individuals, and experts consider it essential to raise awareness about the consequences of this virus on health to stop its ravages.
Human Papillomavirus (HPV)FLICKR/ED UTHMAN – Archive
“This infection is associated with approximately 100% of anal squamous cancer, approximately 78% of vaginal cancer, 25% of vulvar cancer and approximately 90% of genital warts. Furthermore, it accounts for 100% of cervical cancer cases,” warns Dr. Jesús De la Fuente, coordinator of the Lower Genital Tract-HPV Pathology Unit at the Infanta Leonor University Hospital in Madrid.
The importance of screening
The screening programs of the national health system are essential to detect any abnormality in the cells of the cervix in time. “Cervical cancer is the fourth most common female cancer in women between 15 and 44 years old in Spain, and HPV can be transmitted even when the infected person does not present signs or symptoms,” adds Dr. Ana Santaballa, head of Gynecological Tumors. from the La Fe University Hospital in Valencia.
Screening of the national health system, an important measure to reduce cases of HPVCARM
“Cervical cancer screening is a very useful tool to prevent cancers associated with this sexually transmitted infection, and it has also shown a decrease in mortality among women,” comments the specialist.
Although initially the early HPV detection programs have been aimed primarily at women, in recent years in Spain, Public Health strategies have been incorporated for the prevention of this sexually transmitted infection also in men. Since last year, 12-year-old boys are already benefiting from systematic vaccination.
Eliminate the stigma
Dr. De la Fuente points in the direction of the stigma that relates the diagnosis of Human Papillomavirus to risky sexual practices. “This is false information. The social stigma of HPV is developed, in part, by the great misinformation that surrounds it. Sometimes, the diagnosis also causes a great emotional impact on patients, and this false belief must be banished.”
HPV infection does not always have to do with risky sexual behavior. ARCHIVE
In 2022, the European Commission presented a recommendation to support Member States in their efforts to prevent cancer through immunization.
In the case of cervical cancer and other cancers caused by HPV, the European plan has set the objective for Member States to achieve vaccination rates against the virus of 90% in girls, as well as to significantly increase vaccination of children by 2030.
“Thanks to these measures, together with population screening and HPV elimination strategies, equity in immunization will be achieved from an early age, and without gender distinction, against the serious diseases that this sexually transmitted infection can cause.” , concludes Dr. Jaime Pérez, president of the Spanish Association of Vaccinology (AEV).
References
AEP online vaccine manual. Consulted online at March 26, 2024
Global Strategy for the Elimination of Cervical Cancer (WHO): consulted online on March 26, 2024
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