MOG and GAT join voices on International HPV Awareness Day: vaccination and early diagnosis save lives

05 Março 2025

In the month that marks International HPV Awareness Day (March 4), MOG - Movimento Oncológico Ginecológico and GAT - Grupo de Ativistas em Tratamento are joining forces to reinforce the importance of prevention and early diagnosis of the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), one of the main causes of various types of cancer. The associations are calling for vaccination to be urgently extended to groups for whom there is indisputable evidence of the benefits of the vaccine and for regular screening to be implemented as essential tools for eliminating associated diseases and saving lives.

According to the latest data from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), in 2023 HPV vaccination coverage up to the age of 15 reached 91% in Portugal, making it the EU country with the highest vaccination percentage and above the EU average of 64%. Even so, the associations stress that the population not covered by the National Vaccination Plan, which is at risk and has an advantage in being vaccinated, must not be forgotten.

“HPV vaccination is an incredibly effective and safe primary prevention tool. And it is essential that vaccination is extended to all young people, boys and girls, to ensure maximum protection against the types of HPV most associated with cancer. In Portugal, we have made remarkable progress in this direction, but more is needed!” says Cláudia Fraga, president of MOG, who also stresses the importance of screening and early diagnosis: ”Regular screening, through the Pap smear test, is essential to detect precancerous lesions at an early stage, when treatment is more effective and less invasive. It is crucial that women have easy access to these tests and that they are properly informed about their importance.”

The HPV vaccine is part of the National Vaccination Program and is available free of charge to girls and boys, at the age of 10, in a schedule of two six-monthly doses. GAT, which has been actively working to defend patients' rights and access to quality healthcare, stresses the importance of protecting other more vulnerable sections of the population, such as people with certain diseases (including HIV) and other at-risk groups. Luís Mendão, Director General of GAT, emphasizes: “We need a vaccination agenda for people with HIV and to increase the number of free vaccines and state reimbursements. HPV is one of the infections that doesn't have a vaccination program for those already at risk.

HPV is an extremely common sexually transmitted infection, with an estimated 85-90% of sexually active people having come into contact with the virus at some point in their lives. Most of the time, they don't know it, since the infection has no symptoms. There are more than 200 types of HPV and, although many infections disappear spontaneously, some can persist and lead to the development of precancerous lesions and, eventually, cancer.1

HPV is therefore responsible for approximately 100% of cervical cancers, 91% of cancers of the anus, 90% of genital condylomas, 75% of vaginal cancers, 70% of oropharyngeal cancers, 69% of vulvar cancers and 63% of penile cancers.2

HPV is transmitted mainly through sexual activity, but it can happen through any intimate skin-to-skin contact, whether it's vaginal, anal or oral sex. Condoms are recommended to reduce the likelihood of transmission, but they are not 100% effective, the associations warn.

Referências:
1. https://www.europeancancer.org/content/the-impact-of-hpv.html
2. https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/infectious-agents/hpv-and-cancer