A simple test of human papilloma virus (HPV) can prevent the development of cervical cancer in the women. Although for the most part it is sexually transmitted infection that heals itself, in some cases there may be precancerous lesions. Pharmacies in Catalonia will dispense a free self-test to detect the human papilloma virus in women from 30 to 65 years as part of the early detection program for cervical cancer. The Catalan Institute of Oncology (ICO) has launched a pilot test in seven municipalities of the Baix Llobregat and foresees expand initiative throughout the territory from next year.
The VHP is sexually transmitted infection that affects both men and women and that, specifically in the female group, carries the risk of ending up generating a cervical cancer. Although test positive in the virus is not synonymous with ending up developing cancer, it can be a indicator that they exist precancerous lesions that with its single extirpation would eliminate the possibility of developing the disease. that’s why it is so important to get tested every five years.
“HPV self-tests are very useful for women who are left out of the system. It is an attempt to reduce that relatively stable group of women who they keep escaping us because they have never come to the system. They are women vulnerable. The mere fact of making you a single control in your life already reduces the risk of developing cervical cancer”, points Damian Dexeus, Director of the Women’s Gynecological Clinic.
Dexeus clarifies that there are two cervical cancer screening methods. one, the cytology, which is what detects precancerous alterations. And another, the HPV test, which is more effective than cytology to know if a person has the virus or not. “The presence of persistent infection by a high-risk papilloma virus is a necessary condition, but not a sufficient one for the development of cancer”, points out this gynecologist.
According to him, the HPV test should not be done in women under 30 years of age, since it is infection is “highly prevalent,” specially in sexually active women. “He 80% or 90% of women, when they are 50 years old, they will have been positive sometime. HPV is very common up to the age of 30 or 35, yet cervical cancer is very rare in these very young women,” Dexeus explains. That’s why, do the test in those over 30, those who are most at risk of developing cancer is the most effective.
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The early detection program for cervical cancer in Catalonia currently consists of a cytology screening every three years in women between the ages of 25 and 35. Now, the Ministry of Health foresees extend protection through the free dispensing in pharmacies of HPV self-test to women from 30 to 65 years. They will be able to carry out the test at home (which is just as “effective” as doing it in the health center, Dexeus specifies) and once they do it, they can return the sample to the pharmacies, which will send it to the ICO for analysis.
“Right now the woman is the one who requests the test and this is what we have to avoid. we have to get let them be called [desde el sistema de salud] to get tested”, claims Dexeus. According to him, the ideal scenario is that all women have been vaccinated against HPV. Catalonia already vaccinates all 12-year-old girls and boys (sixth grade). If to this is added a “population screening protocol” from whom no woman “escaped”, the incidence cervical cancer “would collapse”