On World HPV Awareness Day on March 4, a task force draws attention to this
HPV vaccination in the Netherlands must be improved. The vaccination rate remains at 63 percent, while the WHO recommends 90 percent. On World HPV Awareness Day on March 4, a task force is drawing attention to this.
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is associated with 1 in 20 of all cancers in the world. Each year, nearly half a million people die from HPV-related cancer. Many of those deaths could be prevented with access to vaccines and cervical cancer screening programs.
In the Netherlands, the task force Netherlands HPV Cancer Free is active to bring vaccination to a higher level. The leaders of the task force are gynecological oncologist Dr Heleen van Beekhuizen and pathologist Prof. Dr. Folkert van Kemenade of Erasmus MC.
sexual contact
Van Beekhuizen: ‘HPV is common. Most people become infected with HPV at some point but quickly get rid of it. HPV infection occurs through sexual contact and usually goes unnoticed. But it can lead to cancer of the penis, anus, vulva, cervix and pharynx.’
Van Kemenade adds: ‘Fortunately, there is a vaccine that protects 90 percent against cervical or anal cancer caused by HPV. In the Netherlands, the vaccine is currently offered for girls and boys aged 9 to 10 years. The vaccine is safe: more than 200 million vaccinations have been given worldwide without serious side effects.’
Vaccination rate
The HPV vaccination coverage in the Netherlands must improve, says the task force. The WHO recommends 90 percent participation. The Netherlands now achieves 63 percent. In 2022 and 2023, all 12-18 year olds who have not yet been vaccinated will also receive a call to protect themselves against HPV cancer.
Van Beekhuizen: ‘There will be another catch-up campaign for everyone between the ages of 18 and 26. People older than 26 years can get vaccinated through their GP, but they have to pay for it themselves. A vaccination costs about 400 euros. Vaccination of girls and boys also contributes to herd immunity.’
Screening
Women can protect themselves against cervical cancer by participating in the population screening, even if they have been vaccinated. Van Kemenade: ‘This allows you to detect pre-stages of cervical cancer and you can treat in time.’ This screening starts at the age of 30.
Men who have sex with men can be screened for precancerous anal cancer. There is no screening yet for all other forms of HPV-related cancer.’ Participation in screening could also be improved, says the task force. The WHO recommends 70 percent. Van Beekhuizen: ‘In the Netherlands we are just achieving that.’
‘We are lagging behind in fighting HPV cancer’
Van Kemenade: ‘We are lagging behind in the fight against HPV cancer in the Netherlands compared to countries such as Australia and England, where gender-neutral vaccination has been taking place for much longer. They also do better in terms of screening. The incidence of cervical cancer here is 6.9 per 100,000 women. In Australia 5.6. In England the incidence is 9.9.
In Denmark, 85 percent of women have been screened in the last 5 years and 79 percent of 15-year-old girls have been vaccinated. The age-standardized incidence of cervical cancer there is 10.2 per 100,000. The Netherlands still has relatively favorable cancer numbers compared to Denmark and England. But we mustn’t fall further behind.’
Read the press release of the International Papillomavirus Society here.Read the press release of the International Papillomavirus Society here.
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