A traveling exhibition on the prevention of cancer is currently on display at the Fürth Clinic, which will then also stop off in Erlangen, Regensburg and Munich. The Bavarian Cancer Research Center’s exhibition entitled “HPV has many faces” runs under the motto “Pick short, protect long – Make your child strong against cancer”. Among other things, it shows how you can protect yourself from possible tumors that can be caused by human papilloma viruses – HPV for short. The hospital says the risk of illness can be reduced through preventative vaccination.
HPV – almost everyone gets infected with it at some point
According to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), more than 200 HPV virus types are known to date. According to experts, HPV infections are among the most common sexually transmitted infections. They are widespread worldwide and almost everyone will become infected with them in their lifetime, unless they have been vaccinated against it. Multiple HPV infections are also possible.
HPV viruses penetrate the skin or mucous membrane, probably through small tears or injuries, and multiply inside the cells there. They are transmitted through direct contact with infected areas of skin or mucous membranes.
Unnoticed progression or harmless genital warts
An infection usually goes unnoticed because those affected have no symptoms and the disease heals on its own. Some of these viruses are responsible for the formation of benign genital warts on the genitals. According to the information service of the Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG), such warts are found in an average of around one percent of the population, but are more common in sexually active young people. In around a third of those affected, genital warts disappear on their own after a few months, even if left untreated.
Risk of uterine cancer and conization
However, other HPV types increase the risk of cervical cancer and other types of cancer in the genital area, oropharynx or penis. Based on data from the Center for Cancer Registry Data, according to the RKI, around 6,250 women and around 1,600 men in Germany develop carcinomas caused by HPV infections every year. The majority of these tumors affect women. It relates to so-called cervical cancer, i.e. tumors of the cervix: there are around 4,600 new diseases every year, and according to the RKI, around 1,500 to 1,600 women die from it every year. And: “Every year, tens of thousands of young women in Germany require conization (cone-shaped cutting of the cervix) due to HPV-related precancerous lesions,” the RKI continues. Conizations are most often performed between the ages of 30 and 34.
Protection against cervical cancer through HPV vaccination
As the RKI reports, HPV vaccinations “protect almost 100 percent against infection with the HPV types contained in the vaccines.” The Standing Vaccination Commission (STIKO) currently recommends HPV vaccination from the age of nine. If the vaccination has not been given by the age of 14, the STIKO recommends getting it done by the age of 17.
According to the Fürth Clinic, this vaccination has been approved since 2006, but less than half of girls between the ages of nine and 14 in Germany are not vaccinated. The vaccination rate for boys is even lower.
Exhibition tours through Bavaria
The traveling exhibition “HPV has many faces” is currently touring through Bavaria and aims to provide information about both HPV and corresponding vaccinations. She can be seen at the Fürth Clinic until January 12th. The exhibition will then go to the Erlangen University Hospital from January 15th to 26th and to the St. Marien Schools in Regensburg from January 30th to February 6th. The exhibition is also coming to Munich: from February 8th to 21st at the Rechts der Isar Hospital at the Technical University of Munich and from February 22nd to 29th at the Munich Center for Integration. Admission is free.