Right now, all women born between 1994 and 1999 can get vaccinated against human papillomavirus (HPV) free of charge. The goal is for at least 70 percent of the target group to take the vaccine, and for Sweden to be the first in the world to eradicate cervical cancer by 2027. In several regions, the goal of at least 70 percent of the target group to be vaccinated has already been reached.
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What is HPV?
HPV is a group of over 200 different viruses that can cause infections in the body. Most HPV infections go away on their own, but some types can lead to serious diseases, such as cervical cancer.
HPV is usually spread through sexual contact, and is a very common infection. The types of HPV that cause cervical cancer are called high-risk HPV, and it is these types that there are vaccines against, to reduce the risk of cancer.
Right now, all women born between 1994 and 1999 can get vaccinated against human papillomavirus for free. Photo: Heiko Junge/TT
READ MORE: 8 common signs that you may have cervical cancer
Women didn’t get an HPV test – got serious cancer
In 2015, a new HPV test was introduced to detect the virus in time. When the test was introduced, one group was forgotten – several women over 70 were never allowed to take the test.
Between 2020 and 2022, around 100 women born between 1947 and 1952 were affected by cancer. 76 percent of these were discovered at a late stage, when the cancer had already spread and could no longer be cured.
– It is terrible for those affected, tough treatments, chemotherapy, radiation and side effects. Families are also affected, says Barbro Sjölander, chairman of the Network against gynecological cancer, in an interview in TV4.
The problem arose when the regions did not manage to introduce the new test in time. A lack of staff also meant that thousands of women were not allowed to take a test.
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