Early detection of high-risk types of the virus is essential to prevent serious lesions before they appear.

Hospiten reinforces its commitment to cervical cancer prevention through the use of the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) test, a tool with greater sensitivity than traditional cytology for the early detection of precancerous lesions.

Cervical cancer is a malignant tumor that originates in the cells of the uterus and remains the third most common gynecological cancer in terms of incidence and mortality. It is also one of the most preventable cancers thanks to screening and vaccination.

Dr. Lucyla Baeta, a gynecologist at Hospiten Bellevue University Hospital, states that "HPV infection can generate precancerous lesions that evolve slowly over a period of years. Thanks to screening, these lesions can be detected and treated before cancer develops".

There are two main screening tests, cervical cytology that detects changes in cervical cells and the HPV test that detects DNA from high-risk HPV types and is more sensitive than cytology.

"The advantage of the HPV test is that it detects the cause of 99% of cervical cancers with greater sensitivity and longer and safer testing intervals. Taking into account that these viruses are also related to cancer of the vagina, vulva, anus and pharynx (with an increase in incidence in Spain in recent years).

It is recommended to start cytological screening from the age of 25 years, the new protocols recommend the search for the virus from the age of 35 years regardless of the result of the cytology. When the test result is negative, it can be repeated every five years. If positive, triage protocols are applied and, if appropriate, referral for colposcopy or other diagnostic studies is made," explains Dr. Baeta.

Screening remains essential even in vaccinated women, as the vaccine does not protect against all high-risk variants of the virus. However, vaccination complements but does not replace screening and is especially recommended for unvaccinated women between 12 and 14 years of age, as well as in those with immunological risk factors regardless of the patient's age. And in all women who have undergone cervical conization for premalignant lesions.

"Prevention and early detection continue to be the most effective tools for reducing the incidence and mortality of cervical cancer, a disease that can be avoided in most cases if screening is carried out properly," the specialist points out.

Hospiten reaffirms its commitment to early detection and care for people. She also emphasizes screening with the HPV test as a further step in the early prevention of precancerous lesions.