Authors

1Mª del Carmen Fernández Tuñas, 2Mª Elena Pérez Muñuzuri, 3Alejandro Pérez Muñuzuri

Position

¹Enfermera del PAC Bertamiráns, Servicio Gallego de Atención Primaria.²Departamento de Ginecología y Obstetricia. Hospital Clínico Universitario Santiago de Compostela, España.³Médico especialista en Cardiología, Cardiología Pediátrica y Urgencias Médicas en Santiago de Compostela.

Contact address

C/ Restollal, 11-B, 3º G. 15702 Santiago de Compostela, La Coruña.

Contact email: mctunas@mundo-r.com

Abstract

Cervical cancer is the second most important type of cancer in women, following breast cancer. It is known that one of the risk factors for developing the disease is the presence of the human papilloma virus (HPV). Certain types of this virus, when paired with a series of risk characteristics, can lead to the development of cancer.
Sexual promiscuity and individuals being unaware that they are virus carriers enables HPV to be rapidly transmitted, given that in many cases there are no noticeable symptoms. The virus is therefore propagated, leading to cancer years later.
At present there is a vaccine available for several types of HPV, constituting a main protection factor. It is very important that the population be aware of the signs-symptoms caused by the virus, transmission mechanisms, how to prevent infection and current measures available to fight HPV. A good awareness campaign must be carried out in society to prevent HPV transmission, ensuring that the vaccine reaches as many women as possible.

Keywords:

human papilloma virus; cervical cancer; sexually transmitted disease; preventionHPV vaccine

Versión en Español

Título:

La importancia del virus papiloma humano: situación actual