Towards cervical cancer prevention?

This Thursday is World Cancer Day. Every year, about 3,000 women in France develop cervical cancer and 1,000 women die from it. In most cases, this cancer is caused by a persistent infection with the high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV), the most common sexually transmitted infection.

Yet found too early, the outcome is very different for affected women.

Survival rate

According to a report on the disease produced by the National Cancer Institute, cervical cancer is actually the so-called “intermediate” prognosis 5, with a 5-year relative survival rate estimated at 70%. This study is based on data from the Franchise Network.

The prognosis is more favorable in younger women (15–44 years), with a relative survival of 82%. In the elderly, this survival rate decreases and is estimated at 38% in women aged 75 and over.

However, it is a cancer with a very good prognosis when detected and treated at an early stage. The 5-year relative survival rate is estimated at 91.5%. Therefore early detection of cancer or cancerous lesions of the uterus is very necessary to increase the chances of survival of women.

In Guadeloupe, a campaign was launched to warn women against the disease. They are invited to come and check directly in their mailbox. Dr. Philip Carrier, president of the Regional Cancer Screening Coordination Center, encourages Guadeloupe women to be tested.

The HPV testing revolution

Screening for cervical cancer has revolutionized 2020 with the normalization of HPV testing. Ten years after the recommendations issued by the Hot Autorite de la Sante, those over 30 can now benefit from this more accurate test, the results of which will last longer. The additional test is fully refundable through Social Security.

It replaces the classic cytological test performed up to that time for cervical cancer screening. The practice is the same: it is a PKU, cervical-uterine pattern, also known as a smear. But now we are looking for any inconsistencies in this pattern but for traces of virus.

HPVs are determined by the scientific community to be more trustworthy and allow checks to be emptied: 5 years instead of 3 for PCU. The test is for people over the age of 30, because below this age, papillomavirus is very prevalent in the population, but without inducing cervical infection.

Vaccination of young children

Since January 1, 2021, vaccination against papillomavirus, a sexually transmitted infection, has been reimbursed to boys between the ages of 11 and 14, and to girls who have already been in adolescence since 2008. This vaccine is fully reimbursed by health insurance.

Papillomavirus is one of the most common infections: 80% of women and men are infected during their lifetime. The condom, which is recommended for protection against sexually transmitted infections, does not actually completely protect against the disease, which can then spread through uncovered parts.