In France, only a third of 16-year-old girls have received a complete vaccination schedule against cancers linked to human papillomaviruses (HPV).
- Human papillomavirus is a DNA virus of the Papillomaviridae family.
- About 200 different genotypes are known.
The IMAGYN association (Initiative for Patients with Gynecological Cancers), the USPO (Union of Community Pharmacists) and the SFCO (Francophone Society of Oncological Surgery) are mobilizing to raise awareness about cervical cancer. uterus, improve vaccination coverage in France and screening.
3,000 deaths per year
Each year, HPV viruses are responsible for 6,000 cancers (4,000 for women, 2,000 for men) and 3,000 deaths per year (2,000 for women and 1,000 for men), i.e. as many as road accidents. “Yet we talk about it much less,” emphasizes Coralie Marjollet, president of the IMAGYN association.
“HPV-related cancers are currently the only cancers preventable by vaccination; and the earlier vaccination is initiated, the lower the cancer rate,” she specifies. A recent Swedish study thus proved an 88% reduction in invasive cervical cancers when vaccination was initiated before the age of 17 and only 53% if vaccination was initiated between 17 and 30 years of age.
Defiance
Support for young boys and girls from the age of 11, HPV vaccination is however struggling to take off. In France, only a third of 16-year-old girls received a complete vaccination schedule in 2020. A figure well below the rates observed abroad: 80% of young Australian women are vaccinated against HPV, 90% of girls and 70% of boys in Spain.
A distrust which is explained, in particular, by the French socio-cultural context: “HPV is responsible for cancers of the vagina, vulva, penis, anal canal, but also cancers of the upper aerodigestive tract. It affects women and men”, emphasizes Doctor Gwenaël Ferron, vice-president of the SFCO. “The sexualization of the disease throws the veil on these “cancers of shame” and has a strong impact on the rate of vaccination”.
The three organizations therefore propose:
– to authorize health professionals to vaccinate from the age of 11 years.
– strengthen screening by allowing pharmacies to dispense the HPV test.
– to increase public awareness.
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