Program for Early Detection of Cervical Cancer

Program for Early Detection of Cervical Cancer

código-europeo
An estimated 75% of the sexually active population has come in contact with the virus (HPV) HPV in their lifetime. The infection usually does not cause any problem and disappears after a few months although a certain amount of people who become infected are not able to fight it.  For these patients, the infection involves certain risks:
  • In some individuals the endurance of the virus (especially types 6 and 11, classified as low risk) leads to the appearance of small tumors or warts (papillomas) on the male and female reproductive organs.
  • A small proportion of those affected by oncogenic types (e.g. types 16 and 18 among others) may develop asymptomatic precancerous lesions. These lesions, if not diagnosed and treated, can become cytology.

Diagnostic tests

Cytology or Pap Smear

It is done annually to diagnose precancerous lesions (LSIL, HSIL, CIN 1, 2 and 3) or uterine cancer. Its use in prevention programs in Western countries has significantly decreased the rate of mortality from cervical cancer.

HPV

Detects the presence of the virus with oncogenic risk even before cell changes occur or cervical abnormalities that would be detected by cytology. A positive HPV test does not indicate the presence of a lesion or disease.  It only demonstrates the existence of a risk factor.

The Assessment and Prevention of Cervical Cancer program at iTAcC has the technical and professional means in order to comprehensively carry out the complete process of early diagnosis in our facilities.

According to the European Medicines Agency guideline, quadrivalent vaccine (types 6, 11, 16 and 18) in children between 9 and 15 years is a means of prevention. Studies also show that the use of the quadrivalent vaccine can protect against lesions caused by HPV in women between the ages of 24 and 45 years.