More than 5.7 million women in Romania are at risk of developing cervical cancer, given the alarmingly low rates of anti-HPV vaccination.
Vaccine can prevent cervical cancer – Photo Shutterstock
In Romania, more than 5.7 million women are at risk of developing cervical cancer, as the country faces some of the lowest HPV vaccination rates in Europe. Also, Romania is still far from reaching the goal of eliminating cervical cancer by 2030, a press release of the Rotary Club Bucharest Nord draws attention.
“The HPV virus is transmissible through skin-to-skin contact, not just sexual contact, affecting both men and women. The rate of development of cervical cancer is much higher in poorer, low- and middle-income countries, including Romania, according to the WHO. Many girls start their sexual life before the age of 16, Romania being the EU country with the most underage mothers, more than 8,000 in 2021, according to INS data. Therefore, many Romanian women are exposed to this virus, also considering the fact that the level of information and education in this regard is very low, but especially that of vaccination. This pathogen can cause not only malignant or pre-malignant lesions, but also unsightly, troublesome benign lesions.”, explained Dr. Iman Mologani, resident radiotherapist at the Colțea Hospital in the capital, member of the Bucharest North Rotary Club.
That is precisely why an information program was launched for parents and adults in Romania, held online and in educational institutions, to help them become aware of the risks to which young people and themselves are exposed in relation to HPV infections and cervical cancer.
“It is important to know that the virus also affects boys, for whom prophylaxis is equally recommended. At the same time, all adult women, between 18 and 45 years old, should choose to be vaccinated against this virus, as they represent the age group at risk for developing malignant lesions of the genital area, increasingly frequently diagnosed in recent years in women younger and younger. The 3 doses of the anti-HPV vaccination scheme provide protection against contracting 9 of the most common and dangerous strains of this virus, and implicitly reduce the susceptibility to cancer development. The Romanian state compensates 100% or 50% of the vaccine price, depending on the age category, so it is vital that girls and women opt for prevention and a healthy life“, added the doctor.
Millions of women at risk
According to the 2021 census, Romania has over 5.7 million women between the ages of 15 and 65 and over 6 million between the ages of 11 and 65. Due to the early onset of sexual life, the risk of HPV infection and cervical cancer is increasing. The HPV vaccination program targets girls between 11 and 19 years of age, with 100% vaccine compensation, and women between 20 and 45 years of age, with 50% compensation. Thus, approximately 734,000 young women and 2.76 million women are in these age groups.
The Ministry of Health relaunched the anti-HPV vaccination program in Romania in 2021, with the aim of reducing the incidence of cervical cancer.
HPV vaccination prevents cervical cancer and genital warts, which affect both sexes. HPV infection is the most common sexually transmitted viral infection, with an estimated 80% of people becoming infected during their lifetime.
The HPV virus is associated with several types of cancer, the most common of which is cervical cancer, which occurs in 99% of cases related to this infection.
In Romania, cervical cancer is the most common gynecological cancer, with the highest incidence and mortality in the EU, with almost 3,400 cases and 1,805 deaths annually.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has called on countries to work together to eliminate cervical cancer, setting a target of reducing the incidence to below 4 cases per 100,000 women. To achieve this goal, the WHO proposes three targets: 90% of girls up to 15 years of age to be vaccinated, 70% of women to carry out the necessary screening, and 90% of women with pre-cancerous lesions and invasive cancer to receive treatment . Romania is far from these targets, with only 25,000 women vaccinated with at least one dose of the HPV vaccine, the release also shows.
