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Cervical cancer is a preventable disease. This is what the French Society of Colposcopy and Cervicovaginal Pathology (SFCPCV) recalls in the “June Vert” campaign which emphasizes the importance of screening and vaccination of children to prevent the disease.
Each year, there are 3,000 new cases of cervical cancer in France. The disease kills 1,000 people a year, mostly young women. Deaths that could be avoided thanks to screening and vaccination.
What is cervical screening?
In France, cervical cancer screening is free. It concerns women aged 25 to 65 who are asymptomatic, including those who no longer have sex and those who have sex with women. As for breast cancer, they receive a letter inviting them to go for their screening test.
This test is based on the analysis of a sample taken from the cervix to detect abnormal cells from the cervix as soon as possible (cytological examination) or the presence of an HPV virus (HPV test) . The detection of precancerous lesions makes it possible to treat them before they evolve into cancer. Screening also makes it possible to detect and treat cancers at an early stage to improve the chances of recovery.
According to the latest recommendations from the Haute Autorité de Santé, screening methods vary according to age:
- From 25 to 29 years old: cytological examination every 3 years;
- From 30 to 65 years old: HPV test every 5 years.
This test can be performed by a gynecologist, a general practitioner or a midwife but also directly in a biology laboratory.
Despite the implementation of organized screening since 2018, the SFCPCV notes that still nearly 40% of women do not get tested.
Prevention also involves vaccination
“The combination of anti-HPV vaccination and mass screening could make it possible to eradicate cervical cancer. It is essential to remind all French women that they can benefit from these measures”, concludes the SFCPCV.