The French Society of Colposcopy and Cervico-Vaginal Pathology (SFCPCV) explains how to make cervical cancer “a disease of the past”.
- Each year, nearly 3,000 French women develop cervical cancer and 1,100 die from it.
- 59% of women aged 25-65 were screened for the period 2018-2020.
On the occasion of the European week for the prevention of cervical cancer, the French Society of Colposcopy and Cervico-Vaginal Pathology (SFCPCV) wishes to recall some key elements of the prevention of this pathology, “which is now avoidable” :
1/Diagnosis of precancerous lesions
A screening test for cervical cancer must be carried out in all women aged 25 to 65. “Its purpose is to diagnose precancerous lesions in order to be able to treat them and thus prevent the appearance of cancer of the cervix. These lesions are not visible during the gynecological examination and are asymptomatic (no pain nor any other manifestation)”, say the experts.
2/ Organized screening
Cervical cancer screening is now organized in our country. French women have thus begun to receive invitations by post to go and have their test carried out by a gynecologist, a general practitioner, a midwife or a medical biology laboratory. “The invitations only concern those who have not had a screening test or who have had it at too long intervals”, adds the SFCPCV. “This organized screening does not incur any laboratory costs for the patient, with the aim of allowing everyone to benefit from it”adds the learned society.
3/HPV test
Cervical cancer screening is now more effective. In women over 30, it is now based on the HPV test, whose performance is superior to that of the classic “smear”. “It makes it possible to detect better and to lengthen the time interval between two tests, now carried out every 5 years in HPV negative women between 30 and 65 years old”, explain health professionals.
4/Vaccinations
At last, “HPV vaccination is extremely effective”, they believe. It is recommended for all young girls and boys from 11 to 14 years old, with the possibility of a catch-up until the end of the 19th year. It makes it possible to prevent the appearance of a precancerous lesion and of cancer of the cervix with even greater effectiveness the earlier the vaccination was carried out. “In France, we deplore an insufficient vaccination coverage rate, of just over 25%, very far behind that observed in the other countries of the European community”, believes the SFCPCV. And to conclude:it is essential that everything be done to offer this vaccination to our younger generations to finally make these pathologies diseases of the past”.
