Papilloma virus. everything you need to know about the sexually transmitted infection that affects 70-80% of the population;

The news surprised the healthcare professionals. In February, Emmanuel Macron announced a “generalized” campaign of free vaccinations for fifth-grade students (girls and boys) in colleges to eradicate the papillomavirus, which is responsible for more than 6,000 new cases of cancer each year. Both men and women are affected, and these cancers are preventable through screening and vaccination.

As of Monday, October 2nd, information and vaccination sessions with 100% vaccine coverage are now offered in nearly 7,000 middle schools for 5th grade students. Those with parental permission will receive the first dose this fall or winter, the second six months later during their college and school years.

Nasreen Kallet, gynecologist, oncologist at the Curie Institute and specialist in women’s cancers, looks back at this little-known virus.

The video presents 6 tips to reduce the risk of developing the deadliest breast cancer in women

70 to 80% of the population is infected with HPV

Human papillomavirus infection (in English, human papillomavirus, HPV) is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs). It is estimated that 70 to 80% of sexually active people, both women and men combined, will encounter the papillomavirus at least once in their lives. “In most cases, the infection will be eliminated by the body automatically and will not cause any disease,” assures Dr. Kallet. But in about 10% of cases, it can cause different types of lesions, benign or precancerous. Poorly treated or undiagnosed, they can therefore turn into cancer over time. about the vulva, vagina, cervix, anus, penis, mouth and throat.”

Condoms do not protect against papillomavirus

Even during protected sex, the papillomavirus can be transmitted. “And this is for a good and simple reason. Papillomaviruses belong to the family of skin warts. As a result, the virus is transmitted not only during sexual intercourse, but also through intimate contact, skin-to-skin, even without the penetration of one or more people carrying the virus,” asserts Nasrin Kallet. Some people believe that the virus is transmitted through semen, but this is a common misconception. It is not contained in secretions and, therefore, can be transmitted through fingers during sexual caresses.

A virus that is often not detected by the naked eye

Papillomavirus occurs quietly. “It damages tissue and creates abnormalities, particularly lesions, but often infected people show no symptoms,” warns Dr. Cullet. As a result, we don’t notice anything, we don’t feel anything, “except for some cases when small warts appear on the genitals,” the doctor says. Any symptoms appear late, most often when the cancer is already present and has progressed to an advanced stage, such as cervical cancer. Hence the importance of undergoing regular examination.

Screening is not possible in men

Although both men and women can be infected with the papillomavirus, only women can be diagnosed through a Pap smear. “Men cannot know if they are infected until they have warts. But this remains very rare,” says Nasrine Kallet. For several years, health authorities have strongly recommended that all women attend a free gynecological visit, which will be available from the age of 25. “On this occasion, the patient can talk about many topics, his sexuality, his contraception… And first of all, he can take an ointment, which consists of scraping a little secretion from the cervix and then analyzing it.”

If the return from the laboratory does not show anything, so much the better, it will be enough to repeat the smear after three years. On the other hand, if papillomavirus is found, we will take a closer look at whether it is benign or not by performing a biopsy. “There are several papillomaviruses, some are harmless, others are malignant,” says the gynecologist. If it is malignant, the cervix should be examined with a magnifying glass (colposcopy) to see if the cervix is ​​damaged. In case of precancerous lesion, it will be necessary to treat it with laser or surgical intervention. Treatment for a cancerous lesion will depend on the type of cancer and its stage of progression. Chemotherapy may be considered.

It is the cause of 98% of cervical cancer.

The extremely common papillomavirus infections are benign in most cases, but they can persist and lead to cancer. They are responsible for 2,900 cervical cancers each year. The latter, which is the 12th most common cancer among women in France and causes more than 1,000 deaths per year, is even almost exclusively caused by papillomaviruses. “However, cervical cancer is one of the rare cancers that can be prevented through screening and vaccination.”

Vaccination efficiency is about 100%

Healthcare professionals agree. Vaccination against papillomavirus is an extremely effective way to prevent a certain number of cancers. It has been recommended for girls aged 11 to 14 since 2007 and for boys of the same age since 1 January 2021. The vaccination schedule contains two doses 6 months apart, or three doses as part of the 15- to 15-day catch-up. 19 years old.. Homosexuals up to the age of 27 have a long-term opportunity to be vaccinated. “When carried out before the beginning of sexual life, the effectiveness of protection against viruses approaches 100%,” says Nasrin Kallet. If you can get vaccinated after you start having sex, the risk actually increases with intercourse, so it’s best to get vaccinated before then.

Thanks to vaccinations, some countries are even on the verge of defeating this cancer. This is in Australia, where the rate of cervical cancer-causing HPV has fallen from 22.7% in 2005-2007 to 1.5% in 2015 among young women aged 18-24, according to AFP. Health authorities there are even thinking of eliminating cervical cancer within 15 years.

What about France? At the end of 2021, 45.8% of 15-year-old girls received a single dose and 37.4% of 16-year-old girls received a full two-dose regimen, according to data from Santé Publique France. Among boys, only 6% were dosed by age 15. “Despite all efforts, mistrust of the vaccine persists,” regrets the oncologist. One reason is the cost of the vaccine, which ranges from 95 to 116 euros. If it is currently 65% ​​reimbursed by Health Insurance (the rest is covered by mutual insurance), the prepayment of costs or lack of mutual insurance may slow down. Another reason for mistrust. A taboo that still hangs over (pre)teens’ sexuality, according to a gynecologist.

Papillomavirus is explained in the video by Nad Rich’Hard and Dr. Cecil Badual