On the occasion of European Cervical Cancer Prevention Week 2021, the National Cancer Institute (Inca) reminds women of the importance of continuing cervical cancer screening. According to the organization, 40% of the women concerned do not participate in the screening.
40% of the women concerned do not participate in the screening
Each year in France, 3,000 cases of invasive cervical cancer are detected and 1,100 patients die from it. While the statistics for the years 2016-2018 reveal a participation rate of 59.5%, (which may vary from 51.2% to 69.1% depending on the region), the National Institute against Cancer (Inca) reminds women, the importance of continuing screening.
According to him, ” this cancer is one of the few with a deteriorating prognosis with a decreasing 5-year survival rate. Yet 40% of the women concerned do not participate “. These are more particularly women over 50, women in an unfavorable social situation, women with a long-term illness, a serious or disabling form of obesity or women with disabilities. . Faced with this, the Inca announced that it wanted to increase the participation rate by 20 points to reach 80% and thus reduce the incidence and mortality from cervical cancer by 30% at 10 years.
A screening yet easy to proceed
If it is recommended to vaccinate young girls and boys between 11 and 14 years against HPV, the National Cancer Institute reminds that screening is complementary to the vaccination of cervical cancer. Especially since this type of screening is easy to perform and can prevent certain complications. Indeed, this consists in taking a sample from the cervix in order to detect or not the presence of abnormal cells and the presence of the papillomavirus.
” If precancerous lesions are detected, they can be monitored (some lesions may regress spontaneously) or treated before the appearance of cancer. If cancer is found, it will usually be at an earlier stage and can be treated with lighter care that will further preserve fertility. »Explains the organization. Finally, the Inca reminds that screening for cervical cancer must be carried out every 3 years between 25 and 30 years, after two tests carried out 1 year apart and the results of which are normal, and every 5 years between 30 and 65 years old.
