June Vert is an opportunity to talk about cervical cancer, a cancer caused mainly by papillomaviruses.
Vaccination and screening are two ways to prevent this cancer which affects more than 3,100 women each year. If the situation on the vaccination coverage front improves somewhat, awareness must continue to hope to protect young people today and tomorrow from this preventable cancer.
Green June: a month to raise awareness of cervical cancer
Launched in 2010 by the National Cancer Institute (INCa), Juin Vert is the month dedicated to the prevention and awareness of cervical cancer. During this period, numerous information and awareness initiatives will be deployed throughout the territory.
Vaccination coverage progressing, but still insufficient
On this occasion, Coralie Marjollet from the IMAGYN Patient Association welcomes the political changes that have taken place in terms of vaccination against HPV. “Vaccination coverage has evolved positively, notably thanks to the campaign in colleges. I remind you that the earlier you are vaccinated, the more effective it is, but that vaccination remains recommended and reimbursed for girls and boys up to 19 years old. We are on the right path. Thus, vaccination coverage is expanding and the situation is finally improving after years of stagnation.“
According to the latest figures from Public Health France, 44.7% of girls aged 16 have received a complete vaccination schedule. This remains very far from the objective of 80% coverage necessary to eliminate cervical cancer before the end of the century. All stakeholders must therefore remain mobilized to respond to this public health emergency.
Underutilized screening
Despite the existence of a dedicated cervical cancer screening campaign for ages 25 to 65, the number of women using it remains low. “The participation rate only reaches 58% in France. specifies Coralie Marjollet. There are several reasons for this : “we have a real problem of medical desert at the level of gynecologists. Midwives can be an effective relay, but they are overwhelmed. We are therefore campaigning for self-collection which allows women to carry out the procedure themselves screening exam“.
For Coralie Marjollet, it is urgent to find solutions to improve the vaccination coverage rate and the use of screening. “Cervical cancer still kills 1,100 women per year in France. Furthermore, more than 30,000 undergo interventions linked to pre-cancerous lesions of the cervix, often disabling, which can lead to risks. obstetrics, particularly premature births.”
HPV responsible for other cancers*
Human papillomaviruses (HPV) are responsible for more than 3,100 cases of cervical cancer each year. But that’s not all ! There are other HPV-induced cancers affecting both girls and boys. This is the case for cancers of the anus, throat and mouth, as well as vulva, vagina and penis*. In total, HPV is responsible for 6,400 cases of anogenital and ENT cancer per year in our country.
A pioneering information association
IMAGYN will soon celebrate its 10th anniversary. Its missions consist of informing, raising awareness, and breaking taboos around gynecological cancers. The association offers support and sharing spaces, a forum run by patients on Facebook, free yoga classes and sessions with a psychosexologist.
For more information on the IMAGYN association, visit https://www.imagyn.org/
* In France, vaccination is not indicated for the prevention of penile and upper aero-digestive tract (AVDS) cancers.
