HPV Awareness Day: The virus in focus

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Cervical cancer, anal cancer, vulvar cancer, and vaginal cancer are just a few of the diseases commonly associated with the human papillomavirus, or HPV.

A nightmare for most women around the world, HPV-triggered diseases like cervical cancer have become the second most common after breast cancer.

But is HPV really as horrible as we presume? March 4th is HPV Awareness Day, a timely occasion take a closer look and understated exactly what the virus is.

CGTN infographic by Li Wenyi

Despite these frightening statistics, on HPV Awareness Day, there may be some good news.

Although over 100 types of HPV have been identified, most of them don't cause serious problems. Many infections can clear up themselves without any intervention, and about 90 percent clear within two years, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Only a small proportion of infections with certain types of HPV can persist and progress to cervical cancer, said Zhang Dai, obstetrician of Peking University First Hospital.

This bit of good news, however, does not ignore that certain HPV strands cause cervical cancer, resulting in high death rates.

Last year, WHO director-general called for action towards the elimination of cervical cancer and engaged partners and countries to increase access to vaccines.

HPV vaccine will eliminate cervical cancer in 2099

Study shows that widespread coverage of both HPV vaccination and cervical screening from 2020 onward will reduce tens of millions cervical cancer cases by 2069, and can eliminate the cancer in most countries by the end of the century.

CGTN infographic by Qu Bo

The study, published in Lancet Oncology, outlines how vaccination and screening tests can help to prevent and cure the disease.

Professor Karen Canfell from the Cancer Council New South Wales led the study and told the Guardian that her research team previously estimated that Australia is on track to eliminate cervical cancer by 2035, with rates dropping below four per 100,000 women annually within the next 20 years.

"Very high-income countries, such as England, Finland, the U.S. and Canada, would be able to eliminate it by 2055-59," she said.

Without further intervention, two thirds of the cervical cancer cases will still occur in low-and-middle-income countries, the study shows.

HPV vaccine in China

Cervical cancer in China leads to high rates of mortality, with around 98,900 new cases reported in 2015.

Only in 2016 did the U.S.-based pharmaceutical GlaxoSmithKline obtain the official approval from the China Food and Drug Administration (CFDA) for the Cervarix. This HPV vaccine was the first of its kind available in the Chinese market.

Shortly after, Merck's Gardasil 4 and 9 arrived, made available in China ten years after appearing in the U.S.

Since Gardasil 9 became available in China, the vaccine is often in short supply. People need to call ahead to schedule injections. Dozens of hospitals and clinics contacted in Beijing all responded that either there were no vaccines available or wait times were long.

The CFDA told the media they have communicated with the company on many occasions to speed up the approval process, working closely with them to share overseas clinical data and safety information.

According to the CFDA, China's self-developed 11-valent HPV vaccine entered clinical trials two weeks ago.

Compared with previous vaccines, the new drug will target strands of the virus found more commonly in China.

(Cover via VCG)