Low adherence to HPV vaccination contributes to increased incidence of uterine cancer

a World Health Organization (WHO) He again called on all countries for an initiative aimed at reducing the incidence of cervical cancer by 2030.

Despite being a preventable, treatable disease and a vaccine available in the public health system, Brazil has an incidence rate of 16,000 cases annually, according to the National Cancer Institute (INCA). Cervical cancer is the fourth most common type in Brazil and in the world and the third with the highest mortality in the country.

For the Cancer Foundation, one of the main problems in fighting the disease is the lack of adherence to the vaccine against the disease human papilloma virus.

The complete vaccination schedule includes two doses for boys and girls. However, only 57% of girls and 36% of boys completed this calendar. Since 2014, the vaccine has been made available by the Unified Health System (SUS) for girls aged 9 to 14 and for boys aged 11 to 14.

Experts said the restrictive measures imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic and school closures may have affected the drop in adherence to vaccination. This is because the main campaigns, according to the foundation, are taking place in public schools.

In the ranking of states with the lowest two-dose vaccination rate for girls, Acre leads with only 33.6% of the target audience vaccinated, followed by Rio Grande do Norte with 46.2% and Pará with 43.9%. Rio de Janeiro comes second with a vaccination coverage of 44.6%.

Among those vaccinated, Parana with 72.7%, Minas Gerais with 66.8% and Santa Catarina with 65.2%.

The immunizing agent will be effective if the woman has not yet come into contact with the virus. After the onset of sexual life, the possibility of already having contact with the virus is high,” explains Flávia Miranda Corrêa, a researcher at the institution.

Data from the Cancer Foundation shows that 35% of cases are already diagnosed at an advanced stage, which makes treatment difficult and reduces the chances of a cure. The foundation adds that preventive screening is important because cervical cancer only shows symptoms when it is in an advanced stage.

The scenario is considered more risky in regions with less access to screening and diagnosis, such as the Northeast, North, and Midwest, which are regions with high rates of cervical cancer.

The data indicate that “a woman from the northern region is three times more likely to die of cervical cancer than a woman from the southeast.”

To reduce rates in Brazil, the Cancer Foundation launched a project to promote primary and secondary prevention of the disease, which includes four lines of action: an incentive for scientific production; primary and secondary care training; Strengthening prevention measures, tracking of asymptomatic women and treatment of disease; Effective and correct communication and mobilization of the population about cervical cancer (CCU).

The measures were announced, Wednesday (17), which is the date that ends one year since the launch of the World Health Organization’s goals to combat cervical cancer.

The World Health Organization calls that within nine years countries should vaccinate 90% of 15-year-old girls against HPV, ensure that 70% of women have screening tests at age 35, and at age 45, allow 90% of women diagnosed with access to treatment. for cervical cancer.