“Prevents genital and head and neck cancers” | Andalusian Health Service

The Ministry of Health and Consumer Affairs of the Government of Andalusia recommends to families that adolescent boys between 12 and 18 years of age be vaccinated against the human papillomavirus (HPV) – Gardasil 9® – as it is important for boys to avoid contracting genital cancer. – in the anogenital area – and head-neck – orally and pharyngeal –.

Last Monday, the indication was expanded, since today it is included in the official calendar for all teenage girls from 12 to 18 years old – with coverage of more than 90% – and from 2023, also for boys who are 12 years old.

Thus, all boys aged 12 to 18 who have not yet been vaccinated against the virus will be able to get vaccinated in the same way as girls by making an appointment at their health center. A measure that will benefit a total of 235,121 Andalusian boys under 18 years of age.

HPV affects both sexes, so getting vaccinated as early as possible during adolescence is important. Currently in Andalusia, vaccination of adolescent girls from 12 to 18 years of age is at 92.4%. Last year, vaccination of 12-year-old boys (from the 2011 cohort) was added for the first time, which has now reached 85.9%.

In this sense, Blanca O’Donnell, specialist in preventive medicine and public health at the Virgen de la Victoria Hospital in Malaga, explains that “with a single dose, it is possible to reduce the transmission of the virus and thus prevent the risk of cancer. Vaccination prevents sexually transmitted infections, which are most common among men and women, and that this infection can become persistent, causing cancer, both at the anogenital level and at the level of the head and neck,” he says, why he explains . that while it is a health protection measure at the individual level, “it prevents infection and disease and also provides greater collective protection.”

The cervix is ​​the lowest part of the uterus, protruding at the bottom of the vagina. Cervical cancer occurs when cells in the area become abnormal and begin to grow uncontrollably.

The main cause is persistent infection with human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is usually acquired through sexual contact (80% of women get it) and in most cases it goes away over time, but in some women (10-15%) it does not go away, leading to a higher risk of developing cervical cancer.

This type of cancer takes more than 10 years to develop, so it requires a long period of time to detect, treat and cure it. This infection does not cause discomfort or symptoms, so screening can tell you if it exists.

While vaccination is the best prevention, experts recommend other preventive measures such as using condoms, which reduce the chance of transmission, and women participating in cytology screening programs as they can detect infections early, which could be abnormal cervical cells. treatment before cancer appears. Screening reduces the incidence and mortality of cervical cancer by 70 to 80 percent and should be performed in women aged 25 to 65 years.

In this sense, in Andalusia, the cervical screening program began to be piloted in the province of Cadiz in January this year, and its implementation is planned throughout Andalusia in July next year.