HPV is a pathology that is common to everyone, regardless of gender, age or orientation.
“Nearly 80% of the sexually active population will be exposed to HPV at some point in their lives.” This was stated by Jesús de la Fuente, secretary of the Spanish Association of Cervical Pathology and Colposcopy (AEPCC), who this Wednesday, together with a group of experts, took part in the event “Let’s get fashionable”, organized as part of the initiative “HPV is something everything” . , organized by MSD and involving 59 associations and the purpose of which is to raise awareness of the need for prevention through vaccination “without distinction of sex” and the development of screening.
The meeting, held as part of the celebrations of the 4th International HPV Day, allowed various experts to review some of the most relevant and relevant aspects of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). common and associated with approximately 100% of cervical cancers and some cancers (in varying percentages) of the vagina, vulva, penis, anus and oropharynx.
They all agreed: first, HPV infection can be prevented through vaccination, and for this to be effective, it must be done. “without distinction of gender, age or sexual orientation,” says De la Fuente.
“It is still the fourth most common tumor and the one that causes the most deaths among women in the world,” explains Ana Santaballa, head of the breast cancer department of the Medical Oncology Service of the Hospital de La Fe in VALENCIA. Now in In Spain, according to SEOM, the incidence is significantly lower, ranks 15th in terms of the prevalence of tumors in women, with less than 2,000 cases diagnosed per year. This is in his opinion. “provides insight into the importance of socioeconomic differences in morbidity and mortality.”
The oncologist assures that “In countries where we are lucky enough to be screened, they are usually diagnosed in the early stages. In such cases, they are usually treated surgically. However, this is a complex operation that requires a good team of gynecologists and oncologists.”
The president of the Spanish Association of Vaccinology (AEV), Jaime Perez, noted that although programs until the recent inclusion of children last year were aimed at women, “the role of the vaccine is very important for men.”
It’s like this: “Andn primarily for the immediate protection of the individual; But we are also going to reduce the infection rate, and that will also protect women who are not vaccinated.”.
It was already in 2022 that the European Commission’s recommendation set member states a target of achieving an HPV vaccination rate of 90% among girls and achieving a “significant increase in the number of boys” by 2030. In the case of Spain, as Perez explains, coverage 91% at first dose in girls; Although in the case of men, the start of the campaign in 2023 did not allow the collection of official data.
Currently, the recommendations for HPV vaccination are specified in the Ministry of Health strategy: 2 doses at least 6 months apart for girls and boys aged 12 years; unvaccinated women and men under 18 years of age; and unvaccinated people in certain risk situations under 25 years of age.
Three doses will also be given to immunosuppressed people under 45 years of age, WHIM syndrome, HIV infection, solid organ or hematopoietic progenitor transplantation, and, on the other hand, to women, regardless of age, who have received any treatment for high cervical intraepithelial lesions. degrees (CIN2+
A recent survey conducted by the Ministry of Health in The single-dose strategy has been deferred until the next annual review of the lifelong vaccination schedule.