Bogotá, DC September 28, 2023. The Ministry of Health and Social Protection invites families, caregivers, human health talent and the community in general to participate in the vaccination for a Colombia without cervical cancer, on September 30. During this day, 22 vaccines will be available to protect against 30 diseases, always with free and barrier-free access for all people living in Colombian territory, regardless of immigration status or affiliation status with the health system.
The Ministry of Health, the National Institute of Cancerology and the Colombian League against Cancer, join forces to eliminate cervical cancer throughout Colombian territory. Within the framework of the strategy “Colombia without cervical cancer“ The vaccination schedule against the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is updated in the Expanded Immunization Program, moving to a single dose in girls from 9 to 17 years old and also including 9-year-old boys in the target population for vaccination, starting next September 30.
The launch of the strategy “Colombia without cervical cancer It will be held in Bogotá, in the town of Ciudad Bolívar, in the El Paraíso neighborhood, Parque Illimani, located on Carrera 27b # 1 – 1. The event will feature the participation of the Minister of Health and Social Protection, Guillermo Alfonso Jaramillo.
More than 3,000 vaccination points will be available throughout Colombian territory. In addition, the Colombian League Against Cancer, its sections and chapters will join the vaccination day with the authorization of several points, not only in Bogotá, but nationwide.
The event seeks to vaccinate 6,615 9-year-old children in the country against HPV: 3,238 girls and 3,377 boys. Families are also expected to catch up on vaccination schedules because all vaccines will be available.
Meanwhile, another strategy to strengthen the prevention of cervical cancer is to Child vaccinated, mother screened. This It consists of the Health Service Providing Institutions (IPS), in addition to offering vaccination services for children, guaranteeing that women know the importance of undergoing their detection exams and screenings.
Behavior of cancer caused by the Human Papillomavirus in Colombia
The presence of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a necessary, but not sufficient, cause for the development of cervical cancer mainly. However, this virus is also related to other types of cancer such as oropharynx, anus, penis, vulva and vagina. It is also associated with benign diseases such as pharyngeal papillomatosis and warts in the genital area in men and women.
Cervical cancer is the fourth most common type of cancer in the world and the fourth cause of cancer death in women. In Colombia, it is diagnosed mainly in women between 35 and 45 years old, a time in life when many of them are mothers with children in their care. The highest mortality occurs in women over 65 years of age.
According to data from the Global Cancer Observatory, GLOBOCAN, it is estimated that in Colombia in 2020, 4,742 women were diagnosed and 2,490 women died from this cause.
In this context, the country joined the strategy to accelerate the elimination of cervical cancer, approved by the World Health Assembly in 2020 and focuses its actions on three fundamental pillars to be fulfilled by 2030:
Vaccinate against HPV to 90% of girls from 9 to 17 years old and boys from 9 years old.To examine to women from 25 to 29 years old with cytology and women from 30 to 65 years old with HPV-DNA tests. Deal with in a timely and effective manner to women who presented an injury in early detection tests.
Putting the three pillars of the strategy into practice will contribute to the immediate and accelerated reduction of incidence and mortality from cervical cancer thanks to the protection of children and adolescents through vaccination, increased detection services and opportunity at the beginning of the treatment of women in Colombia.
It is for this reason that currently the fight against cancer is one of the priorities defined in the National Development Plan 2022-2026. “Colombia, world power of life” which defines that early detection, prevention, timely access and control of cancer will be strengthened, including the intercultural approach, in conjunction with the territories, within the framework of Primary Health Care and the updating of the Expanded Immunization Program ( PAI).
What is the importance of vaccinating children?
Only two vaccines prevent cancer: the Hepatitis B vaccine, which has an impact on the presence of liver cancer, and the Human Papillomavirus vaccine, which impacts the group of cancers mentioned above. The WHO and the National Committee on Immunization Practices, which brings together various recognized organizations
The country’s scientists recommend a vaccination schedule with a single dose of HPV vaccine and the start of vaccination in children; taking into account that exclusive vaccination in girls is not enough to eliminate cervical cancer. Therefore, it is important to link children who are an important source of transmission of the virus in adulthood. With this strategy, other types of cancer caused by the virus are also being prevented, which currently have an increasing trend in both men and women.
HPV Vaccine Safety
The HPV vaccine was reviewed and approved by regulatory agencies, such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in Europe, and the World Health Organization (WHO) globally. . These agencies have experts who evaluated the scientific evidence and determined the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine in boys and girls. According to the studies and clinical trials carried out, it was evident that the HPV vaccine has as its primary objective the reduction of cervical cancer and other malignant diseases and anogenital warts. Scientific evidence confirms that, in the target population, the single dose against HPV is safe and almost 100% effective.
Let us remember that vaccines have been a tool to promote health
and the wealth of the regions in our country.
2023-09-28 22:02:22
#Colombia #cervical #cancer #Ministry #Health
