In the Balearic Islands, 60 cases of cervical cancer are diagnosed each year and 24 women die.

PalmThe Ministry of Health has launched the second phase of the pilot program for early detection of cervical cancer among more than 400 women at the Campos Health Center. It is a quick and easy test that detects the presence of high-risk HPV types that could cause cervical cancer. If the results are negative, this test is repeated every five years. Uterine cancer is the result of a previous infection with the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), which is sexually transmitted. Even so, the vast majority of infections are temporary and do not cause any problems. Their immune systems are less able to fight HPV. The disease can take a decade to develop after infection; therefore, most diagnoses occur among women between the ages of 35 and 50.

The Regional Minister of Health, Manuela García, presented this second phase of the pilot program at the Campos health center, accompanied by the Director General of Public Health, Elena Esteban, and the Manager of Primary Care in Mallorca, Carlos Raduán. During the presentation, the Regional Minister, Manuela Garcia, emphasized the importance of population-based early cancer detection programs and encouraged participation: "Heeding the invitations to these population-based screenings and participating in early cancer detection programs is vital. I would like to encourage women to participate in this and other screening programs. It is not a nuisance and has been shown to save lives. Finding possible cancer early, before symptoms appear, is the best way to fight this disease," she said.

444 women between the ages of 30 and 65

The pilot program launched consists of collecting and analyzing a sample of cells lining the cervix. The analysis performed and the frequency vary depending on the age group. In this second phase of the pilot program, 444 women between the ages of 30 and 65 from the Campos Health Center and the UBS will participate. In the coming months, 295 women from the Ferreries Health Center and the Migjorn Gran Basic Health Unit in Menorca will join, and 544 women from the Sant Jordi de ses Salines Health Center in Sant Josep de Menorca will join. Phase I of the program, developed by Public Health in recent months, has been specifically targeted at women between the ages of 25 and 29. The pilot program for this age group, in which 1,288 women from these health centers participated, establishes a follow-up Pap smear as a scheduled procedure. Pap smears with flow sampling are performed by the midwife every three years if the results are negative.

The program is expected to expand to the entire target population, women aged 25-65, starting in the last quarter of this year. The different groups will be incorporated gradually, until fully implemented. In total, it will reach 378,000 women aged 25-65 across all the islands by 2030. The objective of this program is to detect premalignant lesions and cervical cancer in its initial stages. These types of projects have proven effective, as their appropriate and systematic implementation in certain countries has achieved a 70-80% reduction in the incidence and mortality from this cancer.

Early detection and vaccination, keys to prevention

The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a virus that primarily affects the skin and mucous membranes. Infection is more likely if sexual relations begin at an early age, if sexual relations are with different partners, and if the couple has had sexual relations with several people. HPV vaccination, screening, and treatment of precancerous lesions are key to preventing cervical cancer.

Vaccination of dolls and boys is aimed at all children between 12 and 18 years of age in the Balearic Islands. Since this year, the Health Department has been administering the nine-valent vaccine, using a single dose, following the results of studies carried out in different countries regarding protection against HPV infection and the new recommendations approved by the National Public Health Commission. In the Balearic Islands, the HPV vaccine was introduced for 14-year-old dolls (born in 1994) in 2008. In 2015, the target population was set at 12-year-old dolls, and in 2024, vaccination was also introduced for 12-year-old boys, with 12-year-old boys. Since this year, vaccination has also been extended to boys up to 18 years of age.