Abstract
Background: The main risk factor for the development of cervical cancer is persistent infection with human papillomavirus. The high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) types 16 and 18 account for the majority of cases. Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer among women worldwide. In 2018, approximately 311,000 women died from invasive cervical cancer. Results: Since 2006, HPV vaccines are available as primary prevention strategies. In Germany, the Standing Committee on Vaccination (STIKO) recommends HPV vaccination for all girls and boys for the age from 9 to 14 years. In 2015, the coverage of complete HPV immunization among 15-year-old girls in Germany was only 31.2%. Worldwide, school-based vaccination programs are successful and reach high coverage. Conclusion: Therefore, the introduction of a school-based HPV vaccination program in Germany could help to increase vaccination rates and thus reduce HPV infections and the incidence of related cancers.
Translated title of the contribution | Risk factors and strategies for the primary prevention of cervical cancer: Incidence, mortality, epidemiology, and HPV vaccination |
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Original language | German |
Pages (from-to) | 583-590 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Onkologe |
Volume | 26 |
Issue number | 7 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 1 Jul 2020 |