electra-supply.comOn October 18th, the National Health Commission held a press conference to discuss efforts aimed at accelerating the elimination of cervical cancer.
During the event, Shen Haiping, the director of the Maternal and Child Health Division at the National Health Commission, highlighted the high-risk groups for cervical cancer. “The first group includes individuals who engage in early sexual activity, have multiple sexual partners, and do not use protection. Long-term smoking and poor nutrition also contribute to being at high risk for HPV. The second group consists of those with weakened immune systems, such as individuals with autoimmune diseases like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and HIV. Lastly, those with other sexually transmitted diseases are also considered high-risk for HPV infection,” he explained.
Shen further addressed the misconception about HPV and cervical cancer, stating, “HPV is quite common in nature, with over a dozen high-risk types primarily spread through sexual contact, and in rare cases, through other forms of contact. Being infected with HPV does not guarantee that one will develop cervical cancer. Most women can clear the virus through their immune response. However, about 10% or slightly more may experience persistent infection. When this persists, it can lead to changes in tissues known as precancerous lesions. It’s important to note that these lesions are not cancer; they represent a stage between infection and cancer development. If treated promptly, these precancerous changes can be prevented from progressing to cervical cancer. Without treatment, some may eventually develop into cervical cancer.”
Shen emphasized the timeline for HPV infection to progress to cervical cancer, noting, “It typically takes about five years for an HPV infection to advance to precancerous lesions, and an additional 10 to 20 years for those lesions to develop into cervical cancer. This lengthy window allows for diagnosis and intervention. With appropriate screening and treatment during this period, the progression to cervical cancer can often be halted, and early-stage cervical cancer is usually curable. Therefore, early detection, diagnosis, and treatment are critical in preventing cervical cancer.”
When discussing preventive measures, Shen highlighted that cervical cancer prevention should involve screening. “The World Health Organization recommends three methods for cervical cancer screening: cervical cytology tests, high-risk HPV testing, and visual inspection with acetic acid, which can be a useful method in areas with limited medical resources. Additionally, the introduction of the HPV vaccine represents significant progress in cervical cancer prevention. If cervical cancer or its precursors are detected early and treated promptly, alongside vaccination, we can implement effective strategies to significantly reduce the incidence of cervical cancer.”
