The rol of vaccination in the prevention of uterine cervix cancer

Abstract

High-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) is the precursor to cervical cancer. Vaccines exist that protect against high-risk HPV infection, but for various reasons, the HPV vaccination rate remains very low in Paraguay and Latin America⁽¹⁾. Vaccines are considered a primary level of prevention; therefore, cervical cancer is a preventable disease at this level⁽²⁾.

Immunization of the general population through vaccines has helped eradicate and reduce the incidence of several diseases, and cervical cancer is no exception⁽²⁾. With HPV vaccines, we can protect women from this terrible disease, safeguard their future obstetric health, and prevent their children from being exposed to this virus.

Cervical cancer ranks as the second leading cause of death among women, which underscores the importance of informing the general population about the need to vaccinate girls and boys starting at age 9, protecting them from a preventable and lethal disease⁽³⁾.