There is HPV screening but no vaccine

Although it was announced that the HPV vaccine, which protects against many types of cancer, especially cervical cancer, will be free by the end of the year, no steps have been taken yet.

Experts pointed out that HPV vaccination should be given to boys and girls, especially from the age of 9.

VACCINATION AND SCREENING ARE BOTH IMPORTANT

The Turkish Medical Association Family Medicine Branch addressed the Ministry of Health in a statement, asking, "It's the end of the year. There's no news of the 2-valent HPV vaccine, let alone the 9-valent! Where are the 1,000 Family Health Centers? Where is the free HPV vaccine?" Dr. Ahmet Mehlepçi, President of the Unity and Solidarity Union, recalled that promises were made that the HPV vaccine would be included in the vaccination calendar, saying, "The HPV vaccine prevents cancer. "Today, only screening is available, but there's no vaccine," he said. Recalling that in the last five years, 12.5 million of the approximately 20 million target women (ages 30-65) have been screened for HPV, or cervical cancer, Mehlepçi continued: "This translates to a screening success rate of approximately 64 percent. An average positivity rate of 2.5 to 3.5 percent is detected in screenings. This rate indicates that approximately 312,000 to 437,000 women are HPV positive. Women who test positive are referred to gynecology and obstetrics clinics, and the necessary follow-up and treatment processes are initiated. Women who test negative are not treated. However, administering the HPV vaccine to this group will significantly increase the effectiveness of the current screening program. This is because: women who test negative will not have to be tested repeatedly, the risk of developing HPV-related cervical cancer will be prevented, and the risk of future positivity requiring treatment and the associated costs will be prevented. Therefore, integrating HPV screening with vaccination will both provide long-term protection for patients and prevent a significant economic burden on the healthcare system."

Prof. Dr. M. Faruk Köse, President of the Cervical Pathology and Colposcopy Association, stated that HPV is a common infection and that there are more than 200 types. Köse continued: "After being infected with HPV, precancerous lesions on the cervix appear within 1.5 years at the earliest and 15 years at the latest. This period is 7-8 years on average. One in 100 women infected with HPV is at risk of developing cervical cancer if left untreated or untreated. Nine-valent HPV vaccines protect against 90% of cervical cancers and warts worldwide. However, the risk of developing cervical cancer persists with the remaining 10% of high-risk HPV types. Therefore, women are advised to continue their regular screening programs."