Did you know that approximately 1,000 women die of cervical cancer each year? Cervical cancer is in almost all cases linked to infection by the HPV virus or human papillomavirus. There are two ways to fight cervical cancer: screening and vaccination. Vaccination concerns girls and boys, because HPV can also be responsible for cancer in men.
On February 28, 2023, Emmanuel Macron announced that a HPV vaccination campaign would be organized from the start of the 2023 school year. This will target all adolescents aged 11 to 14 and will take place in schools. There are many genotypesgenotypes of HPV. For 12 of them, the direct link with the formation of cancer might be established. They are said to be “high risk”. The most frequently implicated in the formation of cervical cancers are HPV-16 and HPV-18. Papillomavirus infections are very common; viruses are transmitted sexually. During their lifetime, 80% of individuals will be exposed. The infection occurs most often at the start of sexual life (60% of cases).
The consequences of an HPV infection
The infection is asymptomatic. In the vast majority of cases, the infection has no consequences and the virus is naturally eliminated by the body. However, in some women, HPV persists and can form lesions in the cervix. Some of these lesions can progress to cancer of the cervix.
HPVs are also responsible for other cancers: cancers of the vagina and vulvavulva in women, breast cancer penispenis in men, cancers of the anus and the oropharyngeal sphere in both sexes.
Who is affected by HPV vaccination?
The vaccinationvaccination HPV should ideally intervene before the start of sexual life to be most effective. Nevertheless, vaccination remains interesting even if adolescents have already had sexual intercourse. Recommended since 2007 for young girls and since 2021 for young boys, a campaign will be organized at the start of the 2023 school year for young people aged 11 to 14. Two doses are needed six months apart. There is a remedial scheme for young people aged 15 to 19; it includes three doses.
What is the smear used for?
The smearsmear is a screening test for cervical cancer. It makes it possible to detect precancerous lesions as early as possible and to treat them. It is carried out by a general practitioner, a midwifemidwife or one gynecologistgynecologist at regular intervals, from 25 to 65 years old. It is essential even in vaccinated people.
Today the vaccinevaccine is covered at 65% by health insurance and can be prescribed by a doctor or a midwife. The vaccine is administered intramuscularly by a physician, a male nursemale nurse or a midwife. The injection can also be done in a free information, screening and diagnosticdiagnostic.
