ROMA (ITALPRESS) – On the initiative of Senator Marco Scurria (FdI), on October 27 at the Zuccari Hall of the Senate a round table was held where, together with Professor Vittorio Unfer gynecologist and researcher, we talked about the HPV infection addressing all the related issues: the role of man, the need for a multidisciplinary approach, the persistence of HPV, screening and vaccination. HPV is a sexually transmitted infection, at least once in life, from about 80% of sexually active people, responsible for 5% of all cancers in the world. Professor Vittorio Unfer, gynecologist and researcher, always attentive to female issues, explains how HPV needs more and more attention and a different approach than the past.“The data attest that if in 85-90% of cases the infection spontaneously regresses, in the remaining 10-15%, it can persist becoming a risk factor for the development of cervix cancer; infection can also affect other districts such as oral and anal mucosa, less in-depth. In the presence of a cervical injury, the risk of developing anal tumor increases up to 30%. For many years – says Unfer – HPV infection has been associated exclusively with uterus neck cancer, instead, science has proven that even men can develop condilomas, precancerous lesions and carcinomas of the penis, anus and oral cable, also HPV-related, respectively in 50%, 88% and 26-30% of cases.” In addition, an Italian study showed that 56% of Italian males are positive to HPV, 20% of them have oral cavity infection and 13% anal level”. “ In this context – Professor Unfer continues – the partner of the woman plays a fundamental role, as it can represent a reservoir of infection”. Professor Unfer’s focus is on prevention. “Despite worrying data, in Italy vaccination coverage is still very low, in 2024 it was 51.18% in 12-year-old girls and 44.65% in boys. Very far-off goals – says Professor Unfer – from those indicated by the WHO, who aim to cover 90% by 2030, and from those previewed by the last National Plan of Vaccinal Prevention (95% in the twelfth year of life). As for screening tests – concludes Unfer – the situation is quite different: While in women cervical screening is now established and regulated at national level, there is nothing comparable in men, not even in the most risky contexts or between partners of positive women. For women, however, they remain short to fill: the rectal swab today is not included in the screening paths, despite the increasing evidence of the involvement of more anatomical districts. In the light of the analysed it is clear therefore the need for greater patient medical communication and above all a multidisciplinary approach, with a sharing of information related to the patient among different specialists”.
– photos mec/Italpress – (ITALPRESS).
