Cervical cancer is a disease that can be prevented with HPV vaccination and preventive screening

Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among young women In Lithuania. Although our country has had a cervical cancer prevention program for two decades, we lose about 200 women to this disease every year. In Finland, cervical cancer is already included in the list of rare oncological diseases. Why are Lithuanian indicators still not encouraging? How to prevent this disease and why is it important to vaccinate children against the main cause of cervical cancer – the human papillomavirus? These and other questions are answered by the head of the Oncogynecology Department of the National Cancer Institute, obstetrician and gynecologist dr. Daiva KANOPIENĖ. By the way, the doctor is a native of our country, who graduated from the then Gargžda 2nd secondary school.

-Doctor, what kind of disease is cervical cancer and what causes it?

Cervical cancer is unfortunately a disease of young women. The highest incidence is among women under the age of 40-45. In Lithuania, unfortunately, this is one of the most common oncogynecological diseases. We do not know the causes of all oncological diseases, but the most common cause of cervical cancer is human papillomavirus (HPV) infection.

-Tell me more about HPV.

HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection. It is believed that all sexually active people become infected with HPV at one or even several times in their lives. More than 200 types of this virus are known. About 40 types are related to the genital tract and can cause both oncological diseases and benign changes in the genital tract. It is believed that HPV infection in women can cause not only cervical cancer, but also tumors of the anus, external genital tract, has a connection with some head and neck tumors in both men and women. Therefore, you should not think that it is only a female infection. Men can also become infected and be carriers. It is very important to mention that if a person is infected with HPV (in the beginning there is an acute period of infection), our immune system is able to cope with this virus. Usually, within 1-2 years, the infection is removed from the body and does not cause any changes. Unfortunately, about 10 percent in cases related to disorders of the immune system, the virus can persist in the body for a long time and after some time cause an oncological disease.

-Does HPV vaccination help fight cervical cancer?

Helps. HPV vaccines have been developed. However, it is important to mention that there are no curative vaccines, all vaccines are preventive. It is best to vaccinate girls and boys before exposure to the HPV virus, that is, before the start of sexual life. Most often, vaccinations are included in national calendars, I am happy that in Lithuania since 2016 HPV vaccination is included in the children’s vaccination schedule. Until 2023 The bivalent vaccine, which protects against the most common types of HPV that cause cervical cancer (types 16 and 18), was given to girls from the age of 11. age. We are very happy to mention that from 2023 boys older than 11 years are also included in the vaccination calendar. For two years, a nine-valent car was bought from PSDF funds Gardasil a vaccine that protects against as many as 9 types of HPV. Also HPV types 6 and 11 that cause benign external genital warts.

– Do parents in Lithuania actively vaccinate their children against HPV?

Unfortunately, in Lithuania we have many bad myths about the effects of vaccinations. All innovations and all new vaccinations usually meet with opposition. According to the data of the Ministry of Health and the State Health Fund, about 60% of girls are vaccinated against HPV. activity, the boys started being vaccinated very recently, so it is too early to talk about the results. We should vaccinate about 90 percent. population to get good results.

– I heard that condoms do not protect against HPV. Is it true that vaccinations are the only reliable protection?

There is no evidence that condoms fully protect against HPV. Even when using condoms, it is possible to get HPV. However, of course, safe and responsible sexual relations and the use of protective measures increase the chance of protection against HPV. However, the most reliable means are vaccinations.

– Doctor, tell me more about the cervical cancer prevention program. What is the program, who owns it and why is it important to participate?

The cervical cancer prevention program in Lithuania has been implemented since 2004. The contribution of specialists from the National Cancer Institute was significant in initiating this first cancer prevention program. This year we have the 20th anniversary of the program. In other European countries, such as Finland, where the program has been running for more than five decades, cervical cancer is included in the list of rare oncological diseases. Unfortunately, in Lithuania we cannot celebrate this yet. We have over 200 women dying from this disease every year and the rates are not as good as we would like to be. This is because not all 25-59 year olds. women take advantage of the opportunity to participate in this program. It is necessary to mention that this is not a one-time action, but a periodic preventive check. A couple of years ago, the program began to be divided into two parts. 25-34 women have an oncocytological examination (PAP test) every 3 years, where a smear is taken from the cervix to look for precancerous changes. 35-59 years old for women, an HPV test is performed, the smear is taken in the same way as for a Pap test. If the virus is not found, women are invited to be checked after 5 years. If HPV is detected, then the woman is subjected to a cytological examination from the same medium and a consultation with an obstetrician-gynecologist is required when the cervix is ​​examined and, if necessary, a biopsy is performed. I would like to encourage women that they should actively participate in the program themselves, find out the test results, the future screening date and what steps to take next to prevent the development of cervical cancer.

-How do you assess the recent changes in the cervical cancer prevention program?

These changes have long been initiated by the National Cancer Institute, as we have to keep up with European standards. I believe that these changes will be useful: the reliability of the study, its sensitivity and specificity increase. We strongly believe that the activity of women will increase. We should check at least 80%. women who belong to the program. Currently, a little more than half of such women come to the examination. Therefore, the indicators are not very encouraging. So, I want to remind all women that it is really important to participate in the cervical cancer prevention program and to get checked while you are healthy.

Press release