What are the dangers of papillomavirus?

  Screening for 13 types of human papillomavirus (HPV-high risk) is currently more practical and is an important test to prevent cervical cancer.  Cervical cancer is currently the only malignant tumor with a clear etiology, and human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is necessary for the initiation of cervical cancer. In recent years, the incidence and mortality rate of cervical cancer in Chinese women has been increasing due to the elevated rate of HPV infection, and both are trending younger. According to statistics, the annual number of new cervical cancer cases worldwide is about 466,000, among which, 28.8% of the new cases in China, amounting to 131,500. Worldwide, approximately 290,000 women die from cervical cancer each year, while 30,000 women in China will die each year from this malignancy.  Studies have shown that high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) is the main cause of cervical cancer development. According to the latest research data in China, the total prevalence of high-risk HPV infection among Chinese women aged 30 to 50 years old ranges from 15% to 20.8%, and there is an increasing trend of younger incidence. Most women can clear the virus through their own immune system, but if they are unable to clear the virus or if they are chronically infected, it is likely to turn into cervical cancer later.  Precancerous lesions caused by HPV take 10 to 20 years to develop into invasive cancer. Most cervical cancers can be prevented through early diagnosis and treatment of precancerous lesions. If HPV infection continues to be positive during screening, it is important to actively follow up regularly and receive treatment; if HPV screening is positive twice, the chance of developing precancerous lesions is higher after 5 years.  Women over 30 years old should pay particular attention to HPV screening. Because women before the age of 30 are sexually active and susceptible to HPV infection, the onset of the disease usually occurs after the age of 30. Of course, women before the age of 30 are at the same risk of developing cervical cancer.  Cervical cytology screening is also key to preventing cervical cancer, especially the simple and quick cervical cytology test. It is recommended that women who are sexually active should have an annual cervical cytology test. Women with abnormal cervical cytology results should undergo high-risk HPV testing and colposcopy if necessary to further confirm the diagnosis. The frequency of gynecologic examinations should be increased appropriately for high-risk groups such as those with abnormal previous cytologic smears, sexually transmitted diseases, immune deficiencies and smokers.  Specimen collection for human papillomavirus (HPV) screening is performed by an obstetrician and gynecologist using a sterile disposable cervical sampler to collect epithelial cells from the cervical orifice, place them in a special cell preservation solution, and send them immediately to the laboratory for testing.