Human papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the leading causes of sexually transmitted infections worldwide. HPV infections spread through direct skin-to-skin contact or skin-to-mucous membrane contact, with sexual contact being the most common form of transmission. Many sexually active individuals are exposed to HPV at some point in their lives. HPV infections are strongly associated with the development of cervical cancer. According to World Health Organization estimates, 660,000 new cases of cervical cancer were diagnosed and 350,000 deaths were recorded in 2022. In Turkey, over the past five years, the prevalence of cervical cancer was reported to be 8,761 and vulvar cancer 977.
HPV vaccines are important in preventing HPV infections. The HPV vaccine is a safe and effective method for preventing the most common HPV infections and HPV-related cancers. Clinical applications of the HPV vaccine have shown that it is highly effective against HPV infection in both genders before their first sexual experience. Over the past decade, HPV vaccines have been included in the national immunization programs of 147 countries. However, the HPV vaccine has not yet been included in the national immunization program in Turkey. Studies have shown that global awareness and knowledge about HPV infection, transmission routes, vaccination, and screening programs are not at an optimal level. H.3. Scope: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the leading causes of sexually transmitted diseases worldwide. HPV infections spread through direct skin-to-skin contact or skin-to-mucous membrane contact, with sexual contact being the most common form of transmission. Many sexually active individuals are exposed to HPV at some point in their lives.
HPV infections are strongly associated with the development of cervical cancer. According to World Health Organization estimates, 660,000 new cases of cervical cancer were diagnosed and 350,000 deaths were recorded in 2022. In Turkey, over the past five years, the prevalence of cervical cancer was reported to be 8,761 and vulvar cancer 977. HPV vaccines are important in preventing HPV infections. The HPV vaccine is a safe and effective method for preventing the most common HPV infections and HPV-related cancers. Clinical applications of the HPV vaccine have shown it to be highly effective against HPV infection in both sexes before their first sexual experience.
Over the past decade, HPV vaccines have been included in the national immunization programs of 147 countries. However, the HPV vaccine has not yet been included in Turkey's national immunization program. Studies have reported that global awareness and knowledge about HPV infection, transmission routes, vaccination, and screening programs are not at an optimal level. In May 2018, the World Health Organization issued a global call to action to all member stakeholders to eliminate cervical cancer. This call stated that if no action is taken, mortality rates from cervical cancer are expected to increase by nearly 50% by 2040. In this context, global strategies for the prevention of cervical cancer by 2030 were defined at the "73rd World Health Assembly" in November 2020, with the participation of 194 WHO member countries. These strategies are based on three key pillars: vaccine-based prevention, screening and treatment of precancerous lesions, and treatment of invasive cervical cancer and palliative care. Based on these three pillars, the WHO has set the following targets for eliminating cervical cancer in every country by 2030.
Vaccination: Full vaccination of 90% of girls (up to age 15) with the HPV vaccine. Screening: Screening of 70% of women up to age 35 and repeating these screening tests up to age 45. Treatment: Treatment of 90% of women diagnosed with cervical cancer (defined as treatment of 90% of precancerous lesions and management of 90% of invasive cervical cancer cases). A person is at risk of HPV infection the first time they have sexual intercourse. Therefore, for the HPV vaccine to be most effective, it is important that it is administered before exposure to HPV and before the onset of sexual activity. In this context, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends HPV vaccination for all girls and boys aged 11 or 12 (starting at age 9) before they become sexually active. When vaccines are administered between the ages of 9 and 14, a higher rate of antibody response
