THE‘HPV or human papillomavirus is A family of virus consisting of over two hundred viral genotypes. Already in 1995, theIarc, International Agency for Research on Cancer has inserted theHPV among carcinogenic agents for the human being Based on the scientific evidence that demonstrate how it can determine tumors at the level of more districts: uterine cervix, penalties, vulva, vagina, anus and head-to-color districtparticularly oropharynx. On the occasion of the World Day for the fight against HPV that occurs on March 4thlet’s find out how it is possible to defeat it.
HPV: the diffusion in Italy
Papillomavirus infection It is the sexually transmitted infection in both sexes. In Italy about 5,000 cases per year are attributed to chronic infections of oncogenic strains of the HPV virus. In particular, the tumors of the uterine cervix and a variable share of those of anus, vagina, vulva, penalties, oral cavities, pharynx and larynx. Among these, in particular, The causal role of the HPV is recognized in over 95% of the tumors of the uterine cervixabout 2,400 new cases estimated in 2020. Although Most HPV infections are resolved spontaneously and without giving symptoms, The persistence of the infection can determine the development of benign and evil lesions of the skin and mucous membranes. The infection shows A main peak in young women, around 25 years of ageAnd A second peak around 45 years. The second peak of incidence is due in part to the emergence of pre-existing infections but also to new acquisition infections. In menInstead, The prevalence remains constant in the course of life.
Objective: eliminate infection from the population
The elimination of cervix cancer is, today, a world public health objective launched byWHO in 2018. A milestone also sanctioned by Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan Reachable with: 90% of vaccination covers in teenagers, 90% of adhesion to cervical screening thanks to the latest generation tests and 90% of women who promptly access diagnosis and care. To achieve these ambitious objectives, The New national vaccination prevention plan 2023-25 (PNPV) includes “the prevention of cancer of the uterine cervix and other related HPV diseases” as a strategic objective like the maintenance of polio-free status and the ereionation of measles and rubella. To overcome regional disparities, the PNPV 2023-25 recommends the extension of the active and free offer to girls at least up at the beginning of the screening of cancer cancer of the uterine cervix, or 26 years. Males is extended at least up to 18 years Included and the maintenance of gratuity over time, some regions have however extended the offer in males up to 26 years.
How to prevent
With primary prevention are meant the actions that healthy people can take to decrease the risk to develop a disease. Thanks to the development of A vaccine that prevents HPV infectionsand therefore the evolution of precancerous injuries, today there is the possibility of preventing some potentially lethal tumor forms. Screening for HPV-Cortelated lesions is instead a secondary prevention tool. Today exist two tests To perform it: the Pap Test and the Test-HPV (or HPV-DNA). Many regions Italian, to date, they extended the free offer of HPV vaccination to additional cohorts of adult women and men with the aim of getting faster to the elimination of HPV-Corted tumors.
Anti-HPV vaccine: not just for women
«The papillomavirus acts differently in women than men. In the latter evolves in a silent and asymptomatic way, because they are not on screening and therefore can transmit the disease. But there is a fundamental aspect, which strengthens the importance of vaccination: also in men the papillomavirus can cause tumors At the level of the penis, the anus and the oral cavity. It is therefore very important that not only girls but also males are vaccinated. Vaccination is recommended in both sexes in the adolescent phase», Underlines the Professor Caterina RizzoChief of general hygiene at theUniversity of Pisa.
Who has the right
Anti-HPV vaccination is administered in 2 or 3 doses, based on age, and is offered to boys and girls starting from the 11th year of life. The recovery of those who have not previously been vaccinated or have not completed the vaccination cycle (Catch Up) is recommended for women at least up to 26 years oldalso using the call to the first screening for the prevention of cervix tumors, e For men at least up to 18 years included. To book the vaccination just connect to the site www.haiprenotatovero.it.
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