March 4th, HPV Awareness Day
March 4th, HPV Awareness Day, aims to raise awareness about the risks of Human Papillomavirus (HPV), its transmission, prevention and treatment. HPV is one of the most common sexually transmitted viruses and can cause several diseases, including cancer of the cervix, throat and anus. The main form of transmission occurs through sexual contact, but it can also occur from mother to child during childbirth or through contaminated objects.
Prevention is essential and includes vaccination, condom use and regular exams, such as the Pap smear. The HPV vaccine, available through the SUS, is offered to girls aged 9 to 14, boys aged 11 to 14 and risk groups, such as people with HIV and transplant recipients. This immunization protects against the main types of the virus related to cancer, helping to significantly reduce the incidence of the disease.
Despite being preventable, cervical cancer still causes more than 300,000 deaths annually worldwide, and is the third most common cancer among women in Brazil, according to INCA. Early diagnosis and access to the vaccine are essential to contain the spread of HPV and prevent its complications. Global awareness of the issue encourages health and education policies to increase knowledge and protection against the virus.
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