Skopje, 9 November 2023 (MIA) - Cervical cancer is caused by the Human papillomavirus (HPV) in 99.8 percent of cases but parents are still refusing to vaccinate their children. All girls over the age of 19 can get the vaccine.

Gynecologist Goran Dimitrov said Thursday the age of pre-cervical cancer condition and invasive cancer is dropping below the 33-34 average that was valid for a long period.

Regarding the incidence over the past decade, about 16-23 women out of 100,000 had cervical cancer, with the youngest patient aged 14.

Immunization Commission chair Aleksandra Grozdanova said they are not satisfied from the inoculation percentage, although the country fares better than the regional states.

"This is owed to the fact that we were the first to introduce the HPV vaccination and have continuously invested efforts in its promotion. What is concerning is the lack of balanced vaccination rate across the country, with the doctor's authority in smaller places making the difference," said Grozdanova.

According to her, the HPV vaccine faces many myths and stereotypes that are not backed by science.

"One of them is that the vaccine would affect reproduction. On the contrary, reproduction is reduced among those who have had the HPV infection for a longer period. The vaccine is not new, it has been available for over 20 years and introduced in 156 countries. It is safe, efficient and free of charge. Parents should be clear with the fact that this infectious disease leads to the development of cancer," said Grozdanova and added that cervical cancer comes second, after breast cancer, in the 15-45 age group among women.

In 2022, the total scope of two doses of the HPV vaccine in North Macedonia stood at 52.5 percent, which is significantly higher than in 2021 (35.5 percent), and the five-year average (2017-2021), which amounts to 47.7 percent.

Photo: MIA