With the approach of the non-compulsory vaccination campaign once morest the papillomavirus (HPV) in all the colleges of New Caledonia, this is an opportunity to take stock of this sexually transmitted virus. Passing through the Caillou, Professor Philippe Descamps, one of the world’s leading specialists in gynecology and obstetrics, recalled the importance of screening and vaccination. He was the guest of the morning radio, this Friday, March 31.
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The papillomavirus or HPV is a highly contagious virus which is transmitted almost exclusively by sexual means, and which affects both men and women. “Everyone gets it someday because it’s a marker of sexual activity, but it’s not a marker of a bad life.”, explains Professor Philippe Descamps. There are 200 types of papillomaviruses, “some are nice, others more evil which will give cancer. And in the middle of all this, some give condyloma, they are genital warts”. A disease that evolves quietly, without symptoms. “In general, there are no signs. 80% of people get rid of it. On the remaining 20%, it can evolve into lesions that will become pre-cancerous and then cancerous.”
The main risk factor for cancer of the cervix, HPV is also the cause of cancers of the ENT sphere, anus, vulva, vagina and even the penis. It is possible to screen women for cancer of the cervix with the smear – from the age of 20 in New Caledonia – or by taking a sample from the age of 30. Professor Philippe Descamps also indicates that “if the test is positive, it does not necessarily mean that there is an evolving cancer”. On the other hand, in men who have a more particular susceptibility to HPV infection, there is no screening for cancers of the anus, penis and tonsils.
In order to fight once morest the spread of the papillomavirus, a vaccine has been available since 2006 worldwide. “We now have many years of hindsight. More than 450 million doses have already been prescribed”, emphasizes Professor Philippe Descamps. The vaccine is Gardasil 9,”there are no side effects. With this vaccine, young girls and young boys are 90% protected from cancers. Since the end of 2020 in Metropolitan France, then at the end of 2022 in New Caledonia, the vaccination of boys has been possible. “As there is no screening, the vaccine remains the only defense. The other interest is to protect the girls, this is called herd immunity. Because the more people we vaccinate, the less the virus circulates, the more the lesions will disappear”.
Find all the guests of the morning here.