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11th European Cervical Cancer Prevention Week

Approximately 3,000 new cases of cervical cancer are diagnosed and 1,100 women die from the disease each year in France. To mark the eleventh European Cervical Cancer Prevention Week, which took place from January 22 to 28, 2017, Santé publique France published the latest available data, emphasizing the importance of screening and vaccination. Cervical cancer is an infection caused by a sexually transmitted virus. So-called barrier methods of contraception (such as condoms, for example) are only partially effective against infection with human papillomavirus (HPV). Prevention relies on HPV vaccination, which aims to prevent infection by the two HPV genotypes responsible for approximately 70% of cancers, and screening via Pap smear, which allows, in particular, for the detection of precancerous lesions and their treatment before they become malignant.HPV vaccination is recommended in France for all girls aged 11 to 14, with catch-up vaccination for girls aged 15 to 19 who have not yet been vaccinated. Vaccination coverage is very low: fewer than 20% of girls are vaccinated.Cervical smear screening is recommended every three years for all women aged 25 to 65: 17 million women are affected. In total, 40% of women did not undergo a cervical smear within the three-year period between 2010 and 2012.The implementation of a national organized cervical cancer screening program is a priority of the 2014–2019 Cancer Plan. The goal is to ensure that all women aged 25 to 65 have access to regular cervical cancer screening and to address inequalities in access. A pilot program was conducted over three years in 13 departments (none in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region). The rollout of this cervical cancer screening program across the entire country is scheduled for 2018. Santé publique France will conduct the evaluation.