A scientific event will be held on Friday, March 6, at the Aubette in Strasbourg to raise awareness about human papillomaviruses (HPV). The event, open to the public from 4 p.m. To 7 p.m., will feature presentations from health professionals highlighting the benefits of HPV prevention. This event comes at a crucial time, as HPV infections are incredibly common and can lead to several types of cancer.
The event will include representatives from several organizations dedicated to HPV awareness and prevention, including Demain sans HPV, the HPV Grand Est prevention collective, Alsace contre le cancer, the League against Cancer, and No Taboo.
Human papillomaviruses (HPV) are among the most common sexually transmitted infections, with an estimated eight out of ten people exposed during their lifetime. While infections often resolve on their own, persistent cases can lead to cancer in both men and women. In France, HPV is responsible for more than 30,000 precancerous lesions and 7,130 new cancer cases annually, including 3,150 cases of cervical cancer.
“1,100 women die each year [from cervical cancer], which is nearly three per day,” notes Narguès Klein, a midwife at PMI (Protection maternelle infantile) in Strasbourg and a member of the HPV Grand Est prevention collective. Vaccination remains the primary preventative measure.
Experts emphasize that while condoms offer some protection, they do not fully prevent HPV transmission. However, combining vaccination with regular screenings – a Pap test every three years starting at age 25, or every three years if vaccinated – can prevent up to 97% of cervical cancers, according to health professionals. The findings underscore the importance of both preventative measures for reducing cancer risk.
Narguès Klein encourages families to vaccinate their children against HPV. The campaign began on Monday, February 2, in schools across Alsace, though vaccination rates among adolescents remain below public health goals, as reported on lalsace.fr. The Demain sans HPV collective, founded in early 2023, brings together patient and prevention associations working to combat HPV-related diseases across France.
