Does having the human papillomavirus mean getting cancer
The human papillomavirus (HPV) is a virus whose family includes more than 100 types. Of these, at least 14 are believed to be causative agents of various types of cancer that affect both men and women .
In general, HPV causes one in twenty cancers in men (one in ten in women). It is responsible for almost all cases of cervical cancer, as well as a variable quantity of cancers of the vagina, vulva, anus, penis and oropharynx: about 60 % of vaginal neoplasms, 40% of vaginal cancer cases. vulva and penis, up to 85% of anal canal cancers and among 30% and 70% of oropharyngeal carcinomas .
Of the implications of HPV with different types of cancer, the best defined is cervical cancer. Cancer of the cervix is the fourth part most mutual malignance in women .
Globally, more than 550,000 new cases of cervical cancer are
diagnosed each year and additional than 300,000 womenfolk die from the disease.
Less is known about the natural history of HPV infection in other anatomical
regions than the cervix .
How is HPV spread?
Genital HPV infection is extremely common. HPVs are spread
primarily through sexual contact. It is estimated that about 50 to 80% of
sexually active women come into contact with HPV at some point in their lives .
Although most people contract this virus soon after starting
to have sex, the infection can occur at any time in their life. Various
factors, such as early sexual initiation or the quantity of sexual partners,
increase the risk of infection, although others, such as the HPV vaccine or
condom use, reduce it.
From HPV infection to cancer
HPV infection does not cause symptoms and usually goes away
on its own. Defending everyone will be responsible for removing the virus. As a
result, most infections will only last a few months (or years) and many will go
unnoticed.
However, between 10% and 15% of HPV cases will not be
eliminated and will persist for decades. Viral persistence is the necessary
condition for the appearance of precancerous lesions. If these lesions are not identified
early and left unprocessed, cancer can develop.
The ability of HPV to persist depends on several factors:
viral factors (type of HPV or viral load), factors of the infected person
(whether they have an illness or are taking drugs that weaken their immune
system) and environmental factors (such as smoking), the type of contraceptive
you are using, the number of sexual partners, etc.).
Prevention tools
Primary prevention (vaccines) and secondary prevention
(screening) are the main tools at our disposal to prevent infection and the
development of precancerous lesions and cancer.
In 2006, two vaccines began to be marketed to prevent HPV
infections types 16 and 18, the two types of HPV responsible for 70% of
cervical cancers and most cancers that occur there. . HPV in other places
(vagina, vulva, penis, anal canal and oropharynx). There are currently three
vaccines marketed for the prevention of HPV which have demonstrated extremely
high safety and efficacy (almost 100%) in the prevention of infections and,
therefore, the development of lesions.
With them, it is possible to prevent the development of
about 90% of cancers caused by this virus. For this reason, the World Wellbeing
Organization (WHO) recommends routine administration of HPV vaccines and most
countries, according to its guidelines, have integrated the vaccine into their
immunization programs.
In fact, in Spain it is included in the vaccination program
for girls and adults considered "at risk" (men and women infected
with HIV, men who have sex with men, men and women who have had a transplant. .
HIV, bones, women treated for precancerous cervical lesions, etc.).
